SPEEDY69

We could debate for hours - I just remember chatting to a former World No.3 who said they didn't like spending money so would re-use as much as they could, including their van and they never suffered with machine failures etc. any more than anyone else. Personal choice I guess but if I was a promoter I'd be arguing against costs for new vans and bikes every year Looking forward to the team, and that at Ipswich, being announced in the coming weeks, until then who knows!

Many of the youngsters buy new stuff as well, because that's what the pros do Engines have always been traded second hand and I agree that's an expense beyond the reach of many but frames, wheels and everything else can last years. It puzzles me why a pro should think a new wheel, for example, is any better than the one they have, as long as it's true!

And that's where money gets wasted - totally unnecessary expenditure.

William Cairns has been riding in the UK for a number of years now. Great opportunity for him in the US. His elderly relative Dennis Cairns was still riding well into his later years - may still be.

It's only the top set though isn't it?

?? He was talking about the twinkling stars in the sky surely? Not sure I get the inference.

Always liked Ben, great to watch. Two other moments I will always remember were firstly, at Peterborough, when he gated just ahead of Ronni Pedersen and didn't leave him any room and RP went into the fence (this was just after Ronni had wiped out Jeremy Doncaster on the second bend) and secondly, whilst waiting to go out in the second half, I was told by the machine examiner I now needed a cover over the gap below the engine guard and bottom of the engine and Ben stepped up to help me out. Good times. Wonder what he's doing now?

So has Holder been offered more coin to join Ipswich - is it possible? He is/was TruPlant sponsored.

Someone mentioned miskowiak - he ceased definitely in my gating tart list. Vladimir Kalina I think was his name, never much cop but I did like georg hack, Milan Spinka, Roman Matusek and Nigel Flatman, all good for some surprising points at times.

I get the impatience and clearly they jumped the gun before when saying there'd be news, which is maybe why there's nothing being said just now until things are confirmed. The new owner will want to make a splash surely with any announcement and rather than be glass half empty, I'm minded to give them more time to get everything in place. The season doesn't start until March and I've no doubt they will be competitive - Ipswich have also to finalise so they could be linked but decisions will need to be made in the next few weeks - who knows, it may be tomorrow!

Sorry, I'm not on facebook.

Agree completely.

Exciting maybe but I don't think we should be breaking the bank to match wage demands. How about they reduce the admission cost instead

I think it is good enough but they get paid too much in Poland. Doyle and Bewley seem OK with it.

Yes, strong at home, not so away though.

I think that's a home team only, poor away so will struggle to make the top 5.

Totally opposite for Ipswich if you're talking about Danny King - invariably went missing in the big heats.

I obviously didn't read it close enough!

Has it not been posted here that ben barker is back for the witches?

Not to me as he can be hit and miss. His results outside of the UK are clearly not always as impressive as the hype but it does go to show that stats do not always tell the whole story. Failed to qualify for the GPs by some distance but got a 'wild card' ahead of many others, then finished 12th in the series itself but did manage to qualify this time for next season. He is obviously better than Jakobsen in the UK and will get better international results as well I think.

He won't be at reserve long I don't think.

In your opinion. As I said, Blodorn was full two points behind Brennan away from the NSS last season and whilst I expect them both to improve, Brennan should still finish the season ahead in my view. Age is immaterial, it's experience and speed of development that are important - wasn't Lee world Champ at 21?

I wasn't talking about Poland but what I expect from them in the UK. You may be right, will make for interesting watching this season!

I'd say Brennan is way ahead of Blodorn (needs to be much better away from NSS) and also ahead of Lidsey. I expect him to be vying with Wright for No.3, which he may pick up.

Nice list of those chosen. Who else is on the list?