The results of this analysis would make the main title contenders as (in no particular order) Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Workington. The first two have kept the core of a successful team from 1999 while Workington have built on the foundations of the useful team that ended the season. All have question marks over them. In the case of Workington, with the exception of Stonehewer, their team were markedly inconsistent last year. If they can produce consistency then the title could be heading their way. The other problem for Workington could be the distraction of the Grand Prix for Carl Stonehewer. Sheffield look a very solid team from top to bottom although possibly a bit weak at reserve, at least on away tracks. Edinburgh have the perennial trouble of indifferent away form at the big tracks.

Those on the fringe of the title chase will probably include Newcastle, Berwick, and Glasgow. Of these teams, Glasgow have a decent top end but the tail looks rather long. The Glasgow reserves are strong on promise but light on experience. They also suffer from having Richard Juul on an unrealistic converted average. Newcastle are not far away from title contnders but the lack of a third heat leader could cost them dear with Stuart Swales on a rather high looking average. Berwick look rather weak at reserve and will probably toil away from home despite a more than useful top-five.

Stoke and Arena Essex appear to be the pick of the remaining teams. Both have decent enough line-ups with three genuine heat leaders and respectable second strings. Stoke have put out their strongest team in years even if all bar one are over 33 years of age! Arena Essex will not be easy to beat but are light on points. If David Mason can finally make some progress, they could yet spring a surprise or two.

The teams with a mid-table look include Swindon, Reading, Isle of Wight, and Hull. All share the problem of having an ex-Elite League number one on a ridiculous converted average. This gives all these teams structural problems which may be addressed after the first issue of Green Sheets. This is dependent on them finding riders that they bring in at this stage. Many have tipped Swindon for bottom place but they do have arguably the best reserve in the league in Olver Allen. However their top end looks very weak. Frank Smart will be a great asset but lacks the consistency for a number one rider. The strength of the middle order will not compensate for this. There is little wrong with the Reading team apart from the eleven points taken up by Castagna. The Isle of Wight suffer similarly from having Ray Morton on an eleven point plus average which has an impact on the strength of their bottom-end. Hull are difficult to judge with Gary Stead and Paul Thorp on rather high averages but also have Lee Dicken, Mike Smith and Paul Smith on bargain averages. They do not look like championship contenders.

Exeter look on the weak side, especially away from home. They are nearly two points down on the 45.00 limit and this could prove to be very costly. They will probably be bullet-proof at the County Ground and this will probably ensure they avoid the wooden spoon. Three years back Exeter had a number of riders who can score points away from home notably Leigh Lanham, Frank Smart, and Michael Coles. Now only Coles remains.

That leaves Newport as favourites for bottom place for the second time in the last four years. Their team has been ripped apart from last year. They will miss Watson and Smart very badly. Craig Taylor will probably be a trump card at reserve in the early stages. With Ben Howe on a crazy average and Anders Henriksson also looking on the high side, the team lacks strength at the top end. None of their others riders looks capable of coming near to filling the third heat leader role. This could all change if they can find the cash to introduce Bjorn Gustafsson after the first Green Sheets have come out.

Teams: Northern Tracks

Teams: Southern Tracks