tocha

I'm sure they have the wrong figure for Pedersen. On a rolling average basis he can't possibly drop from 6.55 to 4.00 on the strength of two meetings for Poole where he has averaged 5.00! I know he had a torrid time for Leicester in 2015 but even if a couple 15 point maximums scored for Eastbourne in 2014 have fallen off the list I wouldn't have thought it would have made that much impact.

The 'five point average' rule might have something to do with visas. I know that this is not directly applicable to Karger but relevant to non EU riders who now come in on five as opposed to what it has been in the past. In other words it might be conditional, and visa is no longer valid if the rider drops below a five point average. However getting back to whether or not you can sack a 'five point' rider is just my assumption but it may be he cannot be replaced by a rider on an average less than five. These are from the 2016 regulations:= 18.6.2 The Assessed MA's for new Riders to the PL racing is: Cat 1 8.00 Cat 2 7.00 Cat 3 5.00 Cat 4 3.00 18.6.2.1 No rider with an Assessed MA, other than the Category 4 rider, can drop below 5.00 at any time during the Season. 16.3.2 Riders with assessed MA’s (other than an assessed 3.00) cannot be removed from a PL Team re-declaration 16.2.7 An EL (not EDR) or PL rider starting the season with an Assessed MA will have an Established MA after 4 Home and 4 Away fixtures, becoming effective 7 days after the last qualifying Meeting. Should an Established MA not be achieved to be effective from 1 st May, then the MC may issue a revised MA, based upon actual rides if the Team re-declares. In fact, based upon 16.2.7, Rye could re-declare now subject to revised MA. despite the fact that Karger's would have to stay at 5.00 as he could be removed now.

here: http://www.speedwaygb.co/files/downloads/el16_issue_8.pdf

This is the reason why his official average has now dropped to 3.00. The '5 point' rule only applies to riders new to the PL in 2016. However the 4h 4a ruling still applies in calculating a true average although it is not allowed to be listed under 5.00. Therefore, once Rye House have completed their fourth away fixture at Peterborough on 15th May, Karger will no longer be on an assessed average so doesn't have to be included in a re-declaration.

I don't believe a rider on an assessed average cannot be sacked. The ruling where such a rider had to be included in a re-declaration stemmed from previous seasons where he would qualify for a true average once he had ridden 4 home and 4 away. I think the promoters have cocked this up just as they have done regarding EDR averages so may need to amend the ruling. Rye are not the only team affected by this.

Full article in today's Speedway Star explains.

Now Met Office and BBC are both predicting a band of heavy rain between 3pm and 6pm.

Just as well tonight's match has been moved as it probably would have been called of anyway: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2639845

This meeting has been brought forward from 3rd June which was going to be a problem anyway. AJ and Fricke both ride for Rybnik in the Extraleague who have a televised meeting the same day and have priority due to the Polish dates being announced before our's.

Unfortunately someone has forgotten to tell the BSPA as it is still on the upcoming fixtures list!

Quite, but unfortunately he and Rye are stuck with it this season following new rulings: 18.6.2 The Assessed MA's for new Riders to the PL racing is: Cat 1 8.00 Cat 2 7.00 Cat 3 5.00 Cat 4 3.00 18.6.2.1 No rider with an Assessed MA, other than the Category 4 rider, can drop below 5.00 at any time during the Season. 16.3.2 Riders with assessed MA’s (other than an assessed 3.00) cannot be removed from a PL Team re-declaration

In fact Wolves would be missing Bech (Poland) and, possibly, Masters (Edinburgh) although I don't know which club has priority. Anyway the situation has been resolved. The bigger concerns are the two home fixtures against Belle Vue 3rd June and 5th August when AJ and Fricke could both be absent due to Polish Extraleague matches being run the same day. Both ride for Rybnik.

BBC Radio Essex reports queues back to junction 4 (Orpington)

I am hoping to make my first visit to Rye this season. Usually I sit in the temp. stand but I think I read that the existing seating had been removed. Is that still the case?

..and to think Rye could have signed Rasmus Jensen. He was obviously available as he is now a late replacement for Ty Proctor at Workington.

Just a thought but, following the closure of Plymouth and the postponement of the fixture against Ipswich on Monday, I wondered if the Peterborough promotion have yet been approached to see if they are prepared to move to the southern LC group which now consists of just two teams, Rye House and Somerset.

Our squad is enough for two teams.

We haven't done that well with assets with them falling by the wayside over the years. Our biggest loss was the late Lee Richardson. Others have come and gone including the Davidsson brothers, Peter Ljung whilst we allowed Richard to slip through our fingers. Kim and Robert remain as our current riding assets although who holds Lewis' (Bridger) contract is anyone's guess. I think Jack Kingston is still on our books as might other former riders, Robbo and Kauko.

If Rye are worrying about the loss of NKJ to Peterborough, he scored 3 from 5 rides at Ulrich's meeting at Peterborough today. To put this in perspective, Simon Lambert scored six.

No idea, Bryn, but I hope his comments weren't hard-boiled!

Looking great and if you want an appetiser, the previous evening at the Arena Raceway you can see Ed, Robbo, Ben and Leigh in action. Entry from 6pm, £15 adults, £10 concessions and kids 16 and under free. http://www.lakesidehammers.co/lanhamcompletestrophylineup/

According to today's SS someone who will attend is John Sampford, now as a paying supporter. Clearly, he doesn't bear a grudge so I hope we can give him a warm welcome.

Not yet but I'd like to see a best pairs event.

You are absolutely right. So who the hell is Richard Coulthard lol!

If you want to know who he is, Guy Martin has a new TV series being aired on Channel Four wef. Thursday, 17th March. The first episode has him going head-to-head against Richard Coulthard: