Parsloes 1928 nearly

Not just at the 'start of the season' surely? The rule MUST apply at any point, otherwise it could be flauted simply by signing for a PL side two weeks into the new season!?

Hi Nikko, What I meant is that the initial press release of 2012 could (and by some was..) read as if the new track was simply the RH NL side 'transferring' there. What needed to be emphasised was that actualy what we were seeing was a brand-new track, the first brand-new Speedway track in this part of the world since Arena Essex opened to the sport in 1984. So, a significantly big deal. 'Stand-alone club'? Well, I wonder how many tracks fall entirely under the definition you want to go by..? Is Mildenhall 'stand-alone' considering its links to Ipswich? Was Rye House 'stand alone' all through the '70s & early '80s with its links to Hackney? There's a long history of close links like this and I'm sure to supporters and the Speedway world as a whole what matters most is that such a brilliant venue is now staging the sport and that new tracks are opening as opposed to tracks closing down.

To be fair, that Press Release was not really an accurate account of the establishment of the new club at Kent; and I think it's best all round not to dwell on that a whole year on. Kent is very much in every respect a stand-alone club and operating out of, certainly, the best stadium at NL level (one of the best in the UK in any division, tbh) and it's these positives which needed then and still now to be emphasised.

I think Malcolm was talking about 'Wimbledon' running a team out of RH not Iwade..? The opportunity for the latter was way back in 2006 but sadly, IMHO, the chance was rejected

Would be fantastic news if this did happen! You say blank weekends now, so what evening are the Lions running in the EL then?

Hmm, seems though that far too often (an example being how Somerset treated Stefan last year..) the PL ain't interested in young British riders.. Chickens have come home to roost!

Yes good point - what happened to Stefan with Somerset defied logic and was a shocker.

Would seem possibly a deliberate decision by Stefan NOT to ride in the PL..? The PL's loss is the NL's gain and tbh. I can see more of this happening with the best young Brits able to score heavily (equalling good points money at the right club...) in the third tier and having that fantastic opportunity now given them as reserves in the Elite. At the moment, under such a set up, the PL may well become a place such young Brits choose to ignore...

You're right that stopping and re-starting can raise the spectre of Planning Permission neededing to re-applied for... The way round that could be to use the track as currently is, for training and amateur meetings (of the ilk of Dragons & STR or club championship-based like Scunny too). That could happen without needing the air fence, without great expense (should self-fund indeed) and would keep the sport alive there and the PP intact, while funds and plans put together to re-enter the league in 2015...?

Yes it would have to - no-one under 15 would be allowed to ride in a challenge or indeed even in a race against riders over that age

Kelsey must be old enough as he rode in that challenge match (for Wimbledon) at the latter end of last season.. Not sure who's older Kelsey or Connor Dugard...? Does Connor D. still ride?

So what kind of event will the 'Christmas Cup' be then..? A team match or a small indiv. event? One assumes the former, bearing in mind the number of heats involved..? Considering it's the MDL and it would still be 2013 and that this is an official sanctioned meeting it's beyond me why it couldn't be the League Cup Final..

"Come On Chaps, Turn on The Taps" - was another line!

You are correct. The notion that Iwade might close because of no air fence has gained currency due to letter by Malcolm Simmons published in last week's Star. I am fairly certain Iwade is NOT closing down and I am certain it (Iwade training track, that is) does NOT need to comply with the rule affecting league clubs about needing an air fence.

Sidecars probably not allowed under current planning permission - or at least that's the reading of the situation. A shame as I agree always good to see the sidecars in action where possible.

That youngster was 125cc GB Champ, Kyle Bickley. Not sure of his age but I think probably still too young for the NL..?

Because neither rode NL in 2013 so don't have an instantly recognisible average.

At the tattoo artist's..? Very badly!! LOL!

Oh dear- this is bad news. Best wishes go to Steve - one of the truly top guys in our sport. I wish him well and a speedy recovery.

For those boycotting - Tai has ALREADY appeared! Shocking view of that awful tattoo though!!

Marc Owen - a must, surely..?

Actually THIS (see below) is 'fair comment'; dropping all the personal nonsense which others seem to think is necessary in a 'debate' on this Forum, THIS sums it up perfectly and captures exactly the point being made.

What's spurious about it is that it's only ever been in the rule book that the 'Development' tag has been given to the name of the division. The competition names have always been straight National League, National Trophy etc.; league tables, fixture lists, the BSPA website, all PRs issued by the BSPA etc. - none of these have EVER referred to the National League as anything other than as the National League. So the tag 'Development' has no reality outside of those two or three pages in the Rulebook. Indeed unless you're sad people like us who get to be sent a copy of the Rulebook, you could have been an NL fan since 2009 and not even know that anyone had ever even suggested that there might be this 'Development' word floating around at all!! In terms of definition of the word ('spurious' NOT 'development'!) try, "Lacking validity in essence"...!

I doubt they shall need to. Despite the spurious reference in the Rulebook they've never used the expression 'NDL' on any of the PRs or on their website since 2009 and I can think of no reason why the BSPA would suddenly choose to do so now..

Yes I remember those free admission nights - did attract realy good-sized crowds which surely must've benefitted food & drinks sales.