cyclone

Pity that Blacklock has already announced his retirement - thought you prided yourself as always knowing everything

Some on here are being overly pessimistic about the effect Dan Bewley's concussion will have by the start of 2017 Season. I believe he was keen to resume during early October, but based on conflicting medical opinions, wisely decided to err on the side of caution. Any Championship side would have jumped at the chance to sign him and although I'm a Monarchs fan, imo the 2017 Tigers side has the greatest potential of any to greatly increase their team average above 40 and must be favourites to clean up, unless a version of "Somerset 2016" appears from nowhere.

Bet the likes of Glasgow & Edinburgh will be really disappointed

Four of Poole's 2017announced lineup have been mentioned for various Championship sides so far (Jack Holder, Brady Kurtz, Adam Ellis. & Kyle Newman). For 2016, only two riders in the top tier 1 - 5 were permitted to be double uppers/downers. With the EDL 6 & 7 being scrapped(?), does anyone know if there is any restriction on the number of double/uppers/downers that a 2017 Premiership side can have in their side?

The Title of the page you are referring to is "2016 Premier League Final CMA's (Numerical)" My understanding is it refers to the averages that applied at end of 2016 PL Season , including where applicable, assessed averages. No reference is made as to what whether or not the 2016 assessed averages will apply in 2017. IMO the new statement that Foreign Riders will have have a minimum GSA of 4.00,( unless they already have a real GSA that is greater), for next Season, supersedes the 2016 regulation.

The wording is : "'Championship clubs must include include a young Brit with a 3-point average. In a bid to help young riders get a team spot any rider who hasn't achieved a 3-point average will come in on a minimum of 2'." As the likes of Smith & Bacon have not achieved a 3 pt ave by not being part of a declared Championship club, then they should come in on 2. IMO the ambiguity is for the likes of existing Championship riders who never attained an actual 3 pt average based on results, such as Danny Phillips, Nathan Greaves, etc. However they appear on the Green Sheets as 3.00. Say their actual average was 2.82, do they come in on, 2, 3, or 2.82? Likewise what is the definition of a "young Brit" - is it under 19, under 21, under 25, under 30, etc., and also is it someone born in the UK, or of British parentage, or a naturalized UK citizen?

I'll admit that I rate GH as one of the best, but this quote from him in the Speedway Star does puzzle me:- "I rode a really wide line to stay out of harm's way basically. There was something wrong with the bike and I always felt like something was going to happen. "It's the same thing if I have a flat tyre. I try to get out of the way because there are three guys behind you. If something breaks there are three guys who could run over you." As Greg looked back several times during the race when comfortably leading, was this because of the bike problem? If so, why was it that rather than slow down and pull onto the centre green or drift to a standstill on the very outside of the bend, thereby getting out of the way of all three following riders, it appeared that after Holder had went to the front, that he suddenly resumed a normal racing line and speed, despite Zagar and Zmarzlik still being behind him? Perhaps either Burbidge or Rising can ask him and publish his explanation If one was being cynical, the reason could have been that instead of Holder gaining 3 points over Zmarzlik, it would have been reduced to 2. It would also have hampered Zmarzlik's attempt to secure the the silver medal from Greg's fellow Monster team mate, Tai Woffinden, by a further point in the overall standings.

If it's the stewards employed by the Stadium & Casino who "police" the Car Park, not surprised, as they are an aggressive bunch who like to throw their weight about

Which is neither

The other KOC semi-finalists were Rye House & Somerset, so Sissis would still be eligible. If you are suggesting no guests from the six Play-Off teams could be used for KOC & Prem Trophy semis/finals , then it is possible that these particular matches could be run before the Play-Off qualifiers are even confirmed!

Ah it's Newcastle fans turn now from you - makes a change from similar comments you made about Edinburgh fans in August Every club have a some who cheer when an opposing rider falls (do you remember the huge cheer that went up when Cookie fell in ht 11 in last year's Play-Off Final at Ashfield ) but we do not come on here whining about it with a holier than thou attitude like you. With such perfectly behaved supporters, Glasgow should consider providing replica Angels Wings for them all to wear

Chatzone is wrong, Official scorecard is correct, as witnessed and announced.

There apparently is a significant financial penalty imposed on promotions who do not complete their official home fixtures before 1/11. Given the three previous cancellations of this particular fixture (24/6 & 9/9 for adverse weather, 7/10 for floodlighting failure). there was really no feasible alternative to yesterday's date, for Glasgow to return. It might have been inconvenient for Max Clegg to forego attending the Wolverhampton Presentation dance, but I would suggest it would be more hassle for Kevin Wölbert, Erik & Mark Riss, to return from Germany with their bikes for this one meeting. Clegg received substantial financial assistance from a couple of the Edinburgh Directors, and when his fiancée appealed for donations to replace a damaged helmet, the ordinary fans also responded with a sizable amount. Pity he did not consider this when he decided his priorities lay elsewhere yesterday evening. One final observation, some posters on here, bang on about employing Brits before Foreigners. Edinburgh have stayed loyal with Clegg for two Seasons, despite minimal improvement in his average (currently 4.04) and compare his "thank you" to the commitment of our Teutonic Trio last night.

On Official Edinburgh website:- " we got news on Thursday that Max Clegg will also be missing. Apparently Max hurt his shoulder in winning his final four races at Eastbourne last Saturday and is not fit." Kevin Whelan replaces him, and Chris Widman guests for Tigers in place of Garcia. Surely Tigers will exploit the threadbare team the Monarchs are now fielding and should win comfortably.

Unlike Glasgow, where the Council appears to be supportive of retaining Speedway within the City, the bunch in Edinburgh, collectively, are more interested in so-called "cultural projects" and are hostile to any attempt to re-establish the Sport with their boundaries

Sissis and Greaves have hardly set the heather on fire this Season and though they might narrowly outscore Garcia and Ayres, I would expect the Tigers duo to heavily outscore them on Sunday. Also Sheffield will no be able to replace Berge with Auty at Ashfield, as the guest average drops from 7.26 to 6.91 away from home (also choice of guest excludes other Play-Off riders)

To be re-staged on Friday 21st, according to Official Edinburgh website. Lets hope the floodlighting has been fixed & fully test in advance and that the weather is kind to us (now where's that "let us pray smiley"? )

Unlikely as the regs only permit a guest for a No. 7 to have been eligible to be at 7 at the beginning of the Season Without fully checking, I think Liam Carr with a current GSA of 4.81 has the highest average of any current PL no.7,

Think the advantage of using a guest from a 1 – 5 to replace a number 6 is being over exaggerated. The programmed rides for a number 6 means he is scheduled to race against the opposing 6 & 7, three times (i.e. ht 2 and either ht 12 or 14). However a number 5 will also face the opposing reserves three time also, while a team’s no.2, 3, or 4 will be scheduled to face the reserves twice. Granted there is the flexibility to swap the reserves allocated races after ht 4 and an on-form reserve can appear in two more races in total than any non-reserve, where there is no r/r. But as pointed out previously, if a team has a high average number 6, they have earned this situation and should be allowed to replace like for like when the situation arises.

Re above, the following has been posted on FB by Mike Hunter:- "In case there is any doubt about it, could we clarify that we have every intention of restaging our league match against Glasgow. As it won't be within the next week, we won't have Sam or Ryan available. Obviously Glasgow have a lot of important fixtures so it will depend on agreeing a date with them. The Tigers organisation were terrific last night, trying just as hard as we were to ensure that the match would go ahead if at all possible. We are grateful to their promotion and riders for their positive attitude".

It was also a pity that meeting presenter Scott Wilson was otherwise engaged and that his stand-in Gordon Campbell, understandably became involved in the floodlighting recovery. Though a belated attempt to interview Alan Robertson about Linlithgow was made, it was a pity someone could not have spoke to the riders over the PA, especially Ryan, Dan Bewley, etc.in order to break the monotony on the terraces. Even drawing the raffles and presenting some of the end of season awards could have filled the gap.

You weren't expressing this view in 2014 or 2015 when Somerset did not top the table, but were involved in the Play Offs

Did Woffinden no harm riding on the small tracks of Rye House & Wolverhampton, and then becoming a top rider in Swedish & Polish leagues and winning the SGP

Maybe on safety grounds, the time has come to consider a feasible way of limiting the speed of the bikes. It might also change the balance more in favour of rider ability, rather than over reliance on expensive engine tuning.

According to the latest Green Sheet, Mark Riss's average is no longer classified as assessed, as he has already completed in excess of the required 4h + 4a qualifying matches. I believe that 2016 overseas newcomers once they have completed 4h + 4a, the GSA will be either 5 or actual average, whichever is the greater. For instance, the likes of Mark Riss & Jye Etheridge's actual scoring are less than 5, but they have GSAs of 5, whereas Jake Allen's scoring has exceeded 5, resulting in a GSA of 5.96. Etheridge guested for Peterborough at Armadale last week, based on a 5.00 GSA.