Fortythirtyeight Posted Friday at 09:50 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 09:50 PM 2 hours ago, GirlFriday said: Fully agree we feel Owen gets sidelined, despite his league winning season. Such a shame. Another reason whey we need more NDL teams and track time for youth riders. Hope he does well in 2026 and will be giving him a cheer as always. Don’t need more NDL teams just better management as it’s now a place for championship second strings and so no longer a development league for new , young British novices. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted Saturday at 10:12 AM Report Share Posted Saturday at 10:12 AM 12 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said: Don’t need more NDL teams just better management as it’s now a place for championship second strings and so no longer a development league for new , young British novices. What happened to the Northern Junior League? (the layer below the National League). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulbooth Posted Saturday at 11:04 AM Report Share Posted Saturday at 11:04 AM 51 minutes ago, *JJ said: What happened to the Northern Junior League? (the layer below the National League). Njl is still going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdave Posted Saturday at 12:19 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 12:19 PM 2 hours ago, *JJ said: What happened to the Northern Junior League? (the layer below the National League). As you were: FIVE TEAMS BACK FOR NJL – British Speedway Official Website 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted Sunday at 09:32 AM Report Share Posted Sunday at 09:32 AM 21 hours ago, bigdave said: As you were: FIVE TEAMS BACK FOR NJL – British Speedway Official Website Thanks for that. I wish that the powers that be would give some encouragement to the Midland league as well, an invaluable step for new riders. Not every one is Cooper Rushen! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlFriday Posted Sunday at 03:33 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 03:33 PM On 2/13/2026 at 9:50 PM, Fortythirtyeight said: Don’t need more NDL teams just better management as it’s now a place for championship second strings and so no longer a development league for new , young British novices. I'd take more teams in any league to be honest. Wholly agree that the gap between Development and Championship has narrowed. More riders should be rising up from Development not coming down for what seems like easier rides. Been very poorly managed 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted Sunday at 04:28 PM Report Share Posted Sunday at 04:28 PM 6 hours ago, *JJ said: Thanks for that. I wish that the powers that be would give some encouragement to the Midland league as well, an invaluable step for new riders. Not every one is Cooper Rushen! Just how do you think that should happen ? They can’t magic up riders , the MDL is only just viable now and constantly fails to fill the teams with four riders. The ‘Powers that be’ need to look at grass routes and get kids on 125’s so that we have a future rider base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted 20 hours ago Report Share Posted 20 hours ago 22 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said: Just how do you think that should happen ? They can’t magic up riders , the MDL is only just viable now and constantly fails to fill the teams with four riders. The ‘Powers that be’ need to look at grass routes and get kids on 125’s so that we have a future rider base. Well, when I was involved in it 10 years ago, there were plenty of riders taking part in a dozen MDL teams. Any shortage of riders now is the result of the complete indifference shown by the BSPL or whoever is in charge. No effort has been made to encourage new riders, so what do they expect? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted 17 hours ago Report Share Posted 17 hours ago 3 hours ago, *JJ said: Well, when I was involved in it 10 years ago, there were plenty of riders taking part in a dozen MDL teams. Any shortage of riders now is the result of the complete indifference shown by the BSPL or whoever is in charge. No effort has been made to encourage new riders, so what do they expect? 10 years ago speedway was quite rosey. TIMES HAVE CHANGED . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 15 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said: 10 years ago speedway was quite rosey. TIMES HAVE CHANGED . Whilst i very much agree its hard to argue that more opportunities at a development level creates bigger competition in league speedway. Quick scan of 2015 shows 10 teams and 70ish riders. Around half of those went on to rider NL and several higher (some were already NL at the time). It certainly shouldn't be league places for all but it should be a case that those with enough ability can showcase their talents in the MDL/NJL and if they are fortunate to get opportunities from there so be it. The MDL was shrunk down to pointless numbers, those competing lost interest, for any starting out its hardly an inviting option leaving the majority of newcomers being the cream of youth rounds whilst the rest get discarded. The NJL is great with the focus on current and next generations but then fails to offer variety of racing across a night. The solution is to get a lot of kids into speedway, supply plenty of opportunities to get on track and learn how to race and hope from there BUT certainly easier sad than done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Blobby Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago On 2/13/2026 at 6:55 PM, GirlFriday said: Both your comments above suggest that Liam has been snubbed by Edinburgh for ensuring he got a team place - Which couldn’t be further from the truth! The reality is there can only be 2x 500cc riders per NJL team and they all have to try where every they can to get a team place and track time. The NDL Academy team has packed in over-seas riders for this season. Leaving no hope of progression for juniors stepping up. Don’t make out this the fault of any of our local lads being unwilling to ride when they are all bidding against each other for what little team spaces there are, and still be overlooked for Aussie incomers. Even though if he never signed for Glasgow he would’ve had a spot at Edinburgh in the NDL but okay. 😂 If you can point out where I’ve said local lads are unwilling to ride? Like I said in my post Mark isn’t riding this year, Liam has decided to move to Glasgow rather than staying where he’s been with the academy, Lee is taking a step back from NDL this year to rebuild his confidence a bit. So please suggest options for who the academy should’ve signed that are up to standard instead of who they have signed. Edinburgh are a club who are trying to bring through local riders and are doing a lot more for the youth than probably most clubs in the UK. Are there any other clubs out there who have a training academy for kids wanting to start out, then can progress when old enough to the NJL then again if good enough to the NDL then again potentially Championship? There’s not. So let’s not try twist things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted 58 minutes ago Report Share Posted 58 minutes ago 16 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said: 10 years ago speedway was quite rosey. TIMES HAVE CHANGED . So ask yourself, why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.