Ben91

I don't think signing a rider in his forties is the way to go either, even if it is someone of PK's calibre.

Probably because his average would now allow him to ride PL. Not sure where the seven point figure has come from though, he'd be on 9.19.

There hasn't been, though Kennett says he wants to come back so it's highly likely he'll be back.

As someone who has watched most of his speedway career, yes he is a gating tart. Couldn't pass wind in his last spell at Rye.

He's raced in far more GPs than Penhall did in World Finals though. Across a season luck can even out, in a one off individual any small mistake/misfortune can impact the end result completely. Take that Danish GP as an example, had that been a one off World Final then Troy Batchelor would have been World Champion. Then in thirty years when people were arguing over whether the sport was better in the halcyon days of the 2010s or the current crop in the 2040s Batchelor would have been seriously debated as one of the best ever. I don't think there's any doubt about Hancock from a longevity point of view, he's had peaks and troughs perhaps but he has been one of the top riders in the world throughout that time.

So, after the huge tangent, Penhall or Hancock? Hancock for me, has been at the sharp end of the sport for the best part of three decades. That takes some doing and he doesn't look like he's going to stop any time soon. In my opinion it is harder to win a World Title in a GP series than in a one off meeting too, you have to be good across a whole season. Luck plays a huge part in individual meetings.

They achieved those 7/8 point averages because there were two reserve races and in their other two they only faced second strings and other reserves.

Who are the other five? The PL averages being used for reserves are because nobody bothered to keep a track of the draft riders' averages without the protected heats included. If that had been done, or better still if they'd not been mollycoddled in the first place and allowed to race against all of their opponents in the EL rather than just second strings and fellow reserves then they would have proper EL averages. Oh and the 1-5 riders would have averages representative of their ability too rather than all being near to six and having to be graded for 2016.

Does proper racer mean gating tart these days then?

Looks like a high average to sign him on to me, I'm not sure if he spent any time at number one last year but he's certainly not a seasoned number one. Will definitely need some good heatleader back up.

I wouldn't be happy going into the season with Ricky Wells as my number one personally.

That's all that matters in speedway, being a nice bloke and trying hard.

He's had that bargain average for a long while now.

Nick Morris looks set to leave Glasgow and is on an attractive average. Howarth could be available too.

He never looked like a future GP star when he first came over here though. He's really kicked in in the last few seasons though, if Cook can emulate him then that would be great.

No brainer bringing him back then, the team needs to be built around him.

Personally can't see him becoming a full time GP rider but I hope he can do it and prove me wrong, class act at this level and looked the real deal during the EL play-offs.

Think this is his last year in the U21s? Either way he is a must on that average, if the new promotion have some savvy they'll know the dates NBJ could be away abroad and make sure we're not scheduled to race on them. I don't care if he's missing for a few meetings, not many better riders available on the same average.

If BWD goes into the PL on an assessed 5 next year then other NL teams should be outraged that he was allowed in the NL this year. If he's not British he's not eligible. If he is racing as a Brit then he should be eligible for a PL spot on a 3 point average next year. Not sour grapes at all btw, think he's a good rider but rules are rules and all that.

They got married.

Palm Toft back to Peterborough, wouldn't have been a bad signing.

Matt Wethers on a sub-five average must be under consideration for the senior reserve berth? Would be very surprised if the Monarchs don't put a good side together again.

I don't think he will be, improved each season he has raced so far, entertaining too. However as Len is no longer at Rye there's no reason he should let us use Ayres, who is a Kent asset I believe. Think we'll see Morley though I'd like Olly Greenwood back, the 2014 version that is.

Nah he's alright staying away.

If you have Konopka and Phillips at six and seven you may as well not bother with next season.