SPEEDWAY News and Fixtures

(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE have moved to sign Lewis Kerr as a replacement for shoulder injury victim Kyle Newman.
Kerr had been left without an SGB Premiership team place following the withdrawal of Coventry but is now set to make his Pirates debut next Wednesday against Belle Vue.
Promoter Matt Ford said: “Lewis kept in contact with me during the winter enquiring as to whether there could be a place for him in the Poole side, but unfortunately at the time the numbers just wouldn't fit.
“I couldn't fault his enthusiasm and so when we learned that Kyle would be sidelined
for a significant period of time I turned to Lewis.
“I am really gutted for Kyle, it is another cruel and luckless blow to him and I know that he was keen to continue making progress this season.
“With the seriousness of the injury I couldn't risk operating rider replacement for a lengthy period, for whilst we managed to handle it reasonably well through Nicolai (Klindt) on Monday, it only serves to put added pressure on the side.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON defend a ten-point lead at Poole in the second leg of the Elite Shield on Wednesday.
The tie is well-poised going into the second leg and Pirates promoter Matt Ford knows his side face a tough task to overturn that margin, with rider-replacement continuing to operate for the injured Kyle Newman.
Ford said: “I would dearly love to retain the Shield but recognise that Wolves have a
decent side and it is not going to be easy to pull back ten points.
“Monday night just slipped away from us at the end, but that said there is room for improvement from several quarters in our side and it is well set-up to be an intriguing encounter.”
Wolves, meanwhile, will make a late decision on the fitness of Polish rider Adam Skornicki who missed the first leg due to a shoulder injury.
Boss Peter Adams said: “Monday was a bit of a warm-up in many ways, our opening meeting of the season as a team and I was pleased with the eventual outcome.
“But make no mistake, we’re not going down to Poole to defend the lead, we’re going there to win on the night. That is always my first objective, I never go anywhere to lose a meeting.
“We did enough on Monday to suggest we can be up there competing again this season and of course it would be lovely if we could win the first silverware of the year.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)
DANNY Ayres has been handed the No.1 race jacket for his Cradley debut against King’s Lynn at Birmingham on Wednesday.
Ayres has got the nod from boss Will Pottinger after impressing on his return to the track after shoulder surgery as the Heathens target a strong start to their Travel Plus National League campaign.
Ayres said: “It’s finally here and I can’t wait. As soon as it became apparent Kent couldn’t guarantee me a place this was the only club I wanted to be at in the National League.
“It’s going to be great riding in front of the loud, enthusiastic Cradley fans. They’ve made me so welcome it’s unbelievable.”
Heathens welcome back former favourites Tom Perry and Dan Greenwood and hand a debut to Ayres, Conor Dwyer and Ryan Burton, whilst the Young Stars will be without the injured Josh Bailey and have called up Luke Priest to guest at Perry Barr.

(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD are gearing up for one of their biggest nights in the modern era – with free admission to their season opener!
The club are throwing open the gates to everyone this Thursday when they tackle newly-promoted Somerset over 15 races.
Club co-boss Peter Mole said: “We’re expecting huge demand on Thursday night and we can’t wait, the atmosphere will be amazing.
“It’s not very often you get owt for nowt, is it? Well, here we are as a club offering free admission to everyone and we hope the people of South Yorkshire will come along and take a look at what a fabulous sport it is.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)
EASTBOURNE have suffered a pre-season blow as new signing Adam Extance has been ruled out of their plans due to injury.
Extance has been battling to recover from severe knee ligament damage, and after recent practice at Arlington it has been confirmed he will be unable to take his place.
Eagles boss Connor Dugard said: “It's a shame because he came down for a practice and the whole team were texting me saying how good the vibe was and how much everyone helped out.
“There are no hard feelings between Adam and the club. I know what's he's been through and it isn't easy.
“I've been scouring up and down the averages and past riders, and we have just over five points to play with. You'd think with that I could get anyone in, unfortunately I can't see anyone yet.
“Nevertheless we will find a replacement but it is unlikely it will be before our fans' afternoon on Sunday which opens at 3pm.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)
LEICESTER have named eve-of-season signing Danny King as their new captain for the 2017 SGB Premiership season.
King, who had been due to skipper Coventry prior to their withdrawal from the competition, has received the nod from team boss Jim Lynch as the Lions prepare for their new era.
Lynch said: “I was delighted when Danny accepted my offer of the role to lead Leicester this season.
“He will bring so much to the team in terms of experience and knowledge that others can tap into, particularly the younger ones in the side, and he is already fulfilling the same position at Ipswich.”

(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 29:
ELITE SHIELD 2nd leg: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30 (at Birmingham)
THURSDAY MARCH 30:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30
CHALLENGE: Sheffield v Somerset 7.30
JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 31:
SGB PREMIERSHIP PAIRS: Somerset 7.30
HARRISON’S SCOTTISH OPEN: Edinburgh 7.15


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