Poole 2026

[foreverblue]

2 hours ago, Gazc said:

Implying he should worry more about Ipswich points too that.

I don't mind him commenting on a Poole thread but Lisa has a point Ipswich have more problems to solve than us. We have a good team for 2026 and should challenge for honours.

[Neila]

3 hours ago, Gazc said:

I was under the impression that as a forum you can post on whatever thread you want.

Im pretty sure that’s how a public forum works.

But you forgot Poole fans just want this page to themselves, but are all over over pages like a rash 🤪😃

[SteveLyric2]

4 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Maybe if he or his crew serviced/looked after his engines they wouldn’t have had so many EF’s which cost him and the team victories.

And his performance at Poole in the BSN final was diabolical and cost Poole a trophy.

Sounds as though you need to rearrange your bedroom Steve - you keeping getting out of the wrong side of the bed!!🤣

[Gazc]

1 hour ago, foreverblue said:

I don't mind him commenting on a Poole thread but Lisa has a point Ipswich have more problems to solve than us. We have a good team for 2026 and should challenge for honours.

I get that but surely posting on any thread is his prerogative wether Ipswich have issues or not , it has nothing to do with what he has posted.

[foreverblue]

39 minutes ago, SteveLyric2 said:

Sounds as though you need to rearrange your bedroom Steve - you keeping getting out of the wrong side of the bed!!🤣

To be fair, Lewi did have a lot of engine issues, he is meant to be a professional, nobody else had so many engine problems.

[STEVEHOLS54]

3 hours ago, ASpeedwayfan said:

I would only compare Gilkes to Thompson as that’s who he’s replacing, which I think he is capable of beating Thompons 4.81 of last season. I think if he stays fit he should hit the 5 mark. Although if he has a slow start to the season then he could get a spell at reserve. 
 

Either way it Poole want to compete with Oxford and Glasgow and maybe Bewick, Zach and Rushen is a must 

It's certainly not helped having to lose 4.53 from last seasons team.

I would love to be proved wrong but must admit I have concerns compared to the likes of Glasgow - Redcar - Oxfords expected like up and even others.

A strong home form is so important for the League  BP and I feel we may not have that compared to last season and that could cost us over 2 legs as well as probably losing many away. (Just my opinion).

I'm not convinced on Bowes who in effect has failed during his 4 years in POL. Giles is potentially a risky just over 4 with a history of injuries - Kerr can be wildly inconsistent as his lower GSA evidenced last season. Cairns has had the privelage of having an affluent family to finance his racing overseas as well as trips to Hancocks homes in SWE & USA for private tuition. Didn't quite have the effect I hoped last season in UK or POL U24 but he is only 16 but certainly not shown me he he has Baileys class by a long way.

Rushen is definitely a racer but not 16 until end of March. Maybe he will progress quicker than Cairns and is an exciting racer.

Hopefully those 2 reserves will progress quickly and who knows, we may see both Gilkes & Bowes at reserve at some stage.

Anyway hopefully Rocketman - Cook - Cairns & rushen will give us plenty to cheer in 2026. Anyone else will be a pleasant bonus.

[foreverblue]

3 minutes ago, STEVEHOLS54 said:

It's certainly not helped having to lose 4.53 from last seasons team.

I would love to be proved wrong but must admit I have concerns compared to the likes of Glasgow - Redcar - Oxfords expected like up and even others.

A strong home form is so important for the League  BP and I feel we may not have that compared to last season and that could cost us over 2 legs as well as probably losing many away. (Just my opinion).

I'm not convinced on Bowes who in effect has failed during his 4 years in POL. Giles is potentially a risky just over 4 with a history of injuries - Kerr can be wildly inconsistent as his lower GSA evidenced last season. Cairns has had the privelage of having an affluent family to finance his racing overseas as well as trips to Hancocks homes in SWE & USA for private tuition. Didn't quite have the effect I hoped last season in UK or POL U24 but he is only 16 but certainly not shown me he he has Baileys class by a long way.

Rushen is definitely a racer but not 16 until end of March. Maybe he will progress quicker than Cairns and is an exciting racer.

Hopefully those 2 reserves will progress quickly and who knows, we may see both Gilkes & Bowes at reserve at some stage.

Anyway hopefully Rocketman - Cook - Cairns & rushen will give us plenty to cheer in 2026. Anyone else will be a pleasant bonus.

I agree with your misgivings about some of the team but despite that i did moan about Kerr, he is on a low average now so he should increase his average by a point without, hopefully, so many engine issues. Bowes could be the main issue,  he has had good meetings but has had problems, I hope he can have a good season but not the sort of rider we would normally go for. i am sure Beau Bailey was in their plans and his u turn has messed things up a bit.

 

[ASpeedwayfan]

7 minutes ago, foreverblue said:

I agree with your misgivings about some of the team but despite that i did moan about Kerr, he is on a low average now so he should increase his average by a point without, hopefully, so many engine issues. Bowes could be the main issue,  he has had good meetings but has had problems, I hope he can have a good season but not the sort of rider we would normally go for. i am sure Beau Bailey was in their plans and his u turn has messed things up a bit.

 

As always Pooles aim will be to win titles, if they feel at any point there’s a chance to strengthen within the season, they’ll take that opportunity. I’m not worried about Bowes, he outscored many riders last season in his debut champ season, riders often go to another level when riding for Poole.
 

Cairns Rushen Gilkes could all put up to 2 points on their Ave, Cook Kerr Bowes should all put a point on theirs and Lawson just needs to do what he did last year. 
(assuming it’s Cook and Rushen) 

[Bojangles]

There's a lot of assumptions on this thread. 

[Marky_Mark]

10 minutes ago, Bojangles said:

There's a lot of assumptions on this thread. 

A lot of assumptions that Zach is signing?

[STEVEHOLS54]

8 minutes ago, Bojangles said:

There's a lot of assumptions on this thread. 

Yes - But its opinions which helps keep the forum going 🙂.

Its difficult to criticise the Fords with what they have achieved with Poole over the years.

However that doesn't mean we have to agree with their chosen teams prior to season starting.

At least expressing an opinion cultivates healthy discussion on the Poole Forum. Especially in the dank miserable winter close season 🙂

[SteveLyric2]

31 minutes ago, foreverblue said:

I agree with your misgivings about some of the team but despite that i did moan about Kerr, he is on a low average now so he should increase his average by a point without, hopefully, so many engine issues. Bowes could be the main issue,  he has had good meetings but has had problems, I hope he can have a good season but not the sort of rider we would normally go for. i am sure Beau Bailey was in their plans and his u turn has messed things up a bit.

 

You are assuming his 'u-turn' was his choice, rather than Poole refusing to break their pay policy?!

[STEVEHOLS54]

3 minutes ago, Marky_Mark said:

A lot of assumptions that Zach is signing?

Going to be interesting to see where they would fill that hole from what is left available. Don't think the Fords would be happy to invest in a recognised overseas talent now they are in Champ. Not that many would want to take Champ money and a strict wage policy that the Fords have allegedly.

Hopefully that question will be answered before Xmas.

 

[STEVEHOLS54]

4 minutes ago, SteveLyric2 said:

You are assuming his 'u-turn' was his choice, rather than Poole refusing to break their pay policy?!

I get the impression he turned down Poole offer due to his commitment to developing in POL & DK.

We have to remember he is not only in Grudiatz U24 team (Tue) but is also named as one of the U21 Overseas riders for the main POL EXL side (Sundays) as well as riding DK on a Wed which they can drive to.

Maybe at recently turned 16 they don't want to overload him flying in and out of UK on different days of the week and especially DK which may prejudice his team selection (Wed) and let's be honest its a much stronger Lge than UK Champ.

If he progresses as I forsee he has a big future and only right he should develop amongst the best riders and in the U24 the best young riders.

We may have to see such talent miss UK anyway as from 2027 the POL have changed the rules again allowing only ONE addl Lge outside of the POL EXL. For sure in almost all cases it will be POL and SWE or DK, especially as they can drive compared to having to fly. So Tue (POL U24) - Wed drive to DK and then fly back for POL (Sun).

I am also excl all the SGP 2 qualifiers and meetings which nearly all on the Continent plus other Indiv meetings he may pick up if he shows his obvious talent.