Ben91

You could have had Branford rather than duffman Castagna.

On paper (NL average) he is the best of the PL number seven riders this year. Has had a fair few goes at the PL, has to make it stick this year and I hope he does, would've benefitted from having an established name in the number six slot next to him though. Nielsen isn't too bad at Rye, tends to lose a lot of points due to bike troubles. Of course he wasn't in the best of form during his short time as a Rocket but he should be the reserve in the meeting picking up the most points. Looking for one of the second string riders to step up and be a real second heat leader this year, we're going to have some long nights if this doesn't happen IMO, one poor performance in the main body and a misfiring reserve and we could be on the wrong end of some hefty defeats home and away.

I make Plymouth favourites for this one. Potentially strong top three, will probably out score our top trio. Reserves will be key, need Morley to be on top of his game as I get the feeling he'll be carrying Karger this year.

Nobody 'discovers' a speedway rider, a lad gets on a bike, if he has enough potential someone will give him a team spot. There are some motorbike riders from other disciplines who are told they would do well at speedway and given a chance to have a go on a bike, if they do well they then get given a team spot by someone. I personally think the asset system is a joke, however if it is in place for the EL and PL then the NL should be allowed to use it too. Even if NL clubs were allowed assets there are no guarantees Zach would have chosen to be a Birmingham asset anyway.

That's good, the higher level of competition should have priority in all instances tbh.

The camber used to produce some good passing opportunities, be it Robbo coming off it to utilise the inside line or Frampton riding the high line round it and scraping the boards at the exit. Was always a handy excuse for riders/fans for bad performances at Rye though. Hopefully the track changes will see even more opportunities for good racing in the future.

At least you know he won't drop his average if he doesn't ride...

Will be the team he signed for first I'd imagine which was Brum I believe.

You're likely to get more new fans through the gate if you advertise than if you don't. You have to bring new fans in and keep the existing ones too, no good preaching to the converted so to speak, which is why adverts for meetings being placed in the Speedway Star always baffles me. Used to happen for Rye with nothing in the local rag sometimes, the people reading the Speedway Star already like speedway...

No swearing on the forum please, this is a family environment.

Shame Speedway as a whole is so poorly promoted really, fantastic product, just needs the right packaging.

Some guy called Martin.

Good opportunity for him to get dialled in to his new home track, when the real stuff starts he'll be doing better than that.

People knew barely anything official until this statement on the eve of the season, that's why they've been worried. Fair enough reason IMO.

Witches by 30 at least I heard...

Why not just get all kevlars made by one supplier. Wouldn't see a football team going out in half Adidas kits and half Nike kits. Riders may have their gear made by a preferred supplier usually but if a team wants to go with team suits they should be buying them for their riders.

It'd be hard for him to ignore himself.

Grow up man, people who pay their way are allowed to have their say. And people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I don't care if you devoted 25 years or 25 minutes it doesn't make your opinion more valid or you more knowledgeable than anyone else.

And the Oscar for overreaction of the year goes to...

You were doing so well until that last bit.

Won two races from 15m back in one meeting at Rye didn't he?

Wow, they look horrible. Feel slightly less concerned about Rye changing colours now.

I'd class an a-list celebrity as someone who everyone knows of no matter what their interests are. David Beckham for example is an a-list celebrity, Guy Martin, not so much.

I know who he is but I wouldn't be surprised by people not knowing him, he's hardly an a-lister.

Tends to be how these celebrity things work...