*JJ

He told me ~18 months ago that his British passport was coming through that year. No-one has explained exactly what is or has gone on with him.

In which case, what is he doing in the British National League? And why is it OK for Eastbourne to sign a German of British ancestry, but wrong for Birmingham to sign a British citizen of Polish ancestry? No-one has ever explained the last ...

Make it £2,000: also includes a Blixt clocking tool.

In the early days there, I spoke to David Helmsley (at a training day), and he said that he wanted a 'fast' speedway; this is why it was built with long straights. He obviously refused to listen to Sam Ermolenko who left the promotion before it opened, as his ideas turned out to be wrong, which is why the track has had to be rebuilt twice.

If a team using R/R loses a reserve, it can be in trouble, so it needs a no.8. However, if the R/R is for a good heat leader, just using the no.8 is not on, unless the opposition is also using R/R for a similar standard rider, when both teams SHOULD promote the no.8. This gives the fans two full teams.

Well, he will be at Perry Barr tonight!

No worse than IoW's reserves ... or most other NL teams now that the likes of Flint and Drew etc. have been promoted.

I should have said, includes a set of boots, steel shoe and body armour.

Birmingham closed in 1984 because the stadium was sold for redevelopment: the promotion was perfectly viable at the time. The present Brummies are in the NLbecause it was too late to apply for the PL (then) in 2015. NL proved to be very successful since with the supporters; the NL in general is, frankly, more viable than most of the present speedway. Any putative Braefield promotion would, like Kent, be best advised to join the NL.

Turned 13 at the beginning of the season, so will be eligible for MDL only next year.

Bike with Ashtech GM engine, only six heats since rebuild, ready to go. Plus a set of sprockets, some spare frame parts, other spares, methanol and oil. £2,500. In Kingstanding, Birmingham. Ring 0121 354 8995.

Usually on Facebook, 'Amateur Speedway'.

Did Birmingham really 'opted against' Hampshire, or did he decide to go to Kent himself? If he rides like he did last year, I would have him back like a shot.

Who is doing that?

Not difficult!

The system in which riders with averages over 4 in the Championship are then ineligible for NL works well enough. As for the riders mentioned, Roynon is on his way down, and Flint is just turned 15 and has no intention of going up yet. Don't forget that there is a big gap between all leagues: an invincible NL no. 1 is a stuggling 3 point reserve in the Champ.

Um ... Dean (Felton) is an ex-rider!

Well, they made that at least, thanks to some determined riding from Wilson, Tom Woolley and RTD.

I collect programmes (sad, I know) and have got them back to 1971. This year, I am a season ticket holder so get a free programme anyway. Promotions supply a racecard - just the centre pages of the prog - to riders; maybe it would be a good idea to offer some of these to fans to see if anyone would prefer these at less money?

I don't like saying this, but Cupitt has had his chances, in several teams. Butcher, though, deserves more time.

So what was stopping Stoke etc. signing Shanes? In any case, Shanes was replacing another top rider, JPB.

Last night, the promotion said that it had been agreed with the BSPA; and it is in the BSPA web site now, so it would seem to be kosher.

It's just that he can't spell 'tier'.

Hasn't Adam Ellis being riding for France? He is a Frog ...

Oh well, goodbye Coventry Bees, it was nice knowing you.