Northampton 2026

[tellboy]

55 minutes ago, Panther1997 said:

Confirmed Zagar back for Jeppesen from Monday, with Batch moving to reserve.

https://northampton-speedway.com/latest-news/fnzg8t745rblubpqpjmqybbyjw069y

Leaves Jeppesen on at the moment a 4.34 average.Could be a decent signing for someone on that low average.

[IainB]

14 minutes ago, tellboy said:

Leaves Jeppesen on at the moment a 4.34 average.Could be a decent signing for someone on that low average.

Especially as he's averaging around 6.5 so far this season... another mockery of the rolling averages 🤔

[Grumpyloser]

Put this in wrong thread.

 

[BARNES]

Had my first visit to Northampton this evening and was pleasantly surprised.

Track seems to be improving with lines and passing compared to what I had heard.

Decent enough facilities aswell.

As for the home riders, it was nice to see Zager and Batchelor get their acts together as the meeting went on, unlike the skipper who frustrated after winning his first. 
 

Nice bump coming out of turn 4 looks like it’ll provide some home advantage! 

Edited July 9 by BARNES

[GeneralMelchett]

Finally made it last night - very impressed with the set up there - the track was bladed etc after heat 2 and then after that produced some really good racing. Its a shame its a 2 hr drive for me as I would be tempted to go more regularly but its a great set up and sat in the grandstand on a warm sunny evening watching a 45-45 draw with quite a lot of overtaking I was very happy!

[Fourentee]

4 hours ago, GeneralMelchett said:

Finally made it last night - very impressed with the set up there - the track was bladed etc after heat 2 and then after that produced some really good racing. Its a shame its a 2 hr drive for me as I would be tempted to go more regularly but its a great set up and sat in the grandstand on a warm sunny evening watching a 45-45 draw with quite a lot of overtaking I was very happy!

First time for me, too. Very impressed with the set-up -- well-marshalled parking, friendly staff, good infrastructure with food/drink/merchandise etc all readily availableand an interesting programme.

Problems with the new material on track led to a loooong delay, but communication with the crowd was good and the racing afterwards was excellent.

Interesting to see a lot of fans, both adults and children, in Foxes shirts. Encouraging to see this response as the club tries to build its own fan base and not rely on Coventry and Peterborough supporters getting their fix, welcome as they no doubt are. The blue/orange/white colours are striking and the fox logo is a very clever design, immediately attractive to children but with plenty of character and detail to swing adults too. Full marks on that one.

If I have a mild criticism it is that the stadium comes over as a tad functional at the moment. Even the odd tub of flowers would help there.

But overall a really good and very welcome addition to the sport.

Special kudos to the very young and very diligent litter pickers in action on bends one and two, they were great!

 

 

[oleoleole]

I too have enjoyed my visits to Brafield.

The racing last night was excellent. Obviously a shame about the necessary track work but handled well by the track staff with informative announcements and the fan’s patience.

Only 11 points between the three heat leaders is a big issue for the Foxes but I don’t suppose there is an easy fix at this time of the season.

It’s a shame because the second strings and reserves are working very hard but without a big hitter it’s not enough to get those wins.

[paulnolan]

I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it.

[Fourentee]

25 minutes ago, paulnolan said:

I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it.

I think TMs are sometimes, understandably, a bit reluctant to throw someone in who hasn't been on track since heat 10.

FWIW I would have gone for Thomson, but we never know what goes on behind the scenes and what the reasoning is for selections.

[szkocjasid]

1 hour ago, oleoleole said:

I too have enjoyed my visits to Brafield.

The racing last night was excellent. Obviously a shame about the necessary track work but handled well by the track staff with informative announcements and the fan’s patience.

Only 11 points between the three heat leaders is a big issue for the Foxes but I don’t suppose there is an easy fix at this time of the season.

It’s a shame because the second strings and reserves are working very hard but without a big hitter it’s not enough to get those wins.

I'm gonna be a bit of a "statto" here & point out they got 24 points from the heat leaders.

Perhaps putting a second string at number 5 is why they don't get maby points from there?

The inconsistency must be frustrating, I was thinking Jeppesen for Batchelor would be an improvement, then Batch scores double figures.

[marko]

A rider like Batch should be hitting double figures every week from reserve, deep down he is good enough to do it but as we all know its whether he can do it mentally.

[topaz325]

Well done Batch.😎

[paulnolan]

I'd still like to see him replaced - all the old guard levered out eventually - but I'll give credit where credit's due and he did well last night. Well, other than a heat 14 which should have set up the win... 😛

[szkocjasid]

5 hours ago, paulnolan said:

I was surprised Thomson didn't go out in heat 15. Maybe he didn't fancy it but a good team manager would ensure his riders always fancy it.

 

5 hours ago, Fourentee said:

I think TMs are sometimes, understandably, a bit reluctant to throw someone in who hasn't been on track since heat 10.

FWIW I would have gone for Thomson, but we never know what goes on behind the scenes and what the reasoning is for selections.

Agree with the first point, TM should make the heat 15 decision, not the riders.

For the second point, I guess as theres a long gap between #2 last ride & heat 15, makes sense to have a weaker rider at #2. Problem with Northampton is their weakest top 5 rider changes from week to week.

[Hamish McRaker]

Batchelor probably relatively cheap, uk based, less likely to get a big injury, "he is what he is". The team's been put together based on reality including a limited budget to get started. But there haven't been many if any thrashings.

A bit unfair to focus on his limitations when the main weakness of the team is the top end. And we know why that weakness exists

[ruckerroo]

its a wierdly concocted team , all at the last minute so suppose you cant be too critical. 4 3rd heatleaders and a few others including thompson who has been the star really. you cant say the home matches arent close and competitive tho .

[GeneralMelchett]

They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes.

From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year

 

[paulnolan]

The

59 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes.

From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year

 

The problem is that the problem keeps changing! It was Batchelor. And now it's Zagar. With Lidsey and Klindt also underperforming. Teams can afford to carry one rider and get a result but the Foxes seem to be always carrying two. 

[GeneralMelchett]

2 minutes ago, paulnolan said:

The

The problem is that the problem keeps changing! It was Batchelor. And now it's Zagar. With Lidsey and Klindt also underperforming. Teams can afford to carry one rider and get a result but the Foxes seem to be always carrying two. 

That in reality is all part of the ebb and flow of a season - most riders drop a bit of form at some point sometimes people lose patience quickly - as the saying goes change for changes sake isn't usually worth it - lack of form usually corrects.

No doubting however that due to the lateness of arrival etc you had a pretty weak top 3 - it was about the best you could maybe get at the time. For my money Batch has probably exceeded expectations riding in a tricky no 2 spot - now at reserve and for now scoring ok/ well he is merely replacing another reserve Thompson who had a storming first part of the season!

Over to your promoters / team manager! BTW I was impressed with their comms and openness about the rack changes whilst we were sat waiting - as the saying time can go quick in a crisis but most people can handle waiting provided they are told why! I felt they handled that V well.

[kevin bass]

5 hours ago, GeneralMelchett said:

They are in reality about 1 rider away from being a decent team that can win home matches and that's probably a top end rider who will score in heats 13 and 15. If Zagar could start scoring like NKI then maybe they wouldn't have to make changes.

From my anlaysis etc Batch isn't their problem this year

 

It just proves the point that the aint enough out and out Number 1's  available who want to ride over here no more for a full season, its no different to last season with what Birmingham put out as a team, there's enough Number 1's/ Heat Leaders for 4 or 5 teams but not for 6 teams and for them all to be competitive wk in wk out.