(SPEEDWAY 1)
PETERBOROUGH have swooped to sign three-time British Champion Chris Harris who takes over the club’s No.1 berth.
Harris will now spearhead the Panthers’ SGB Championship challenge in addition to his Premiership commitments with Rye House, with Kenneth Hansen the man to make way at Alwalton.
Promoter Ged Rathbone said: “We simply couldn't ignore the opportunity to bring in a rider of Chris' calibre. Chris has been there, seen it and done it in speedway. He also loves the East of England Arena and is prepared to put Peterborough before his Polish commitments.
“Chris is under no illusions about the difficulty of the SGB Championship, but he is relishing the challenge.
“His presence will take some of the pressure of the other guys and, along with Bradley Wilson-Dean stepping up from reserve, it potentially gives us the strongest top five in the league.
“We're deeply sorry to have to release Kenneth after the health problems he has experienced this season, and the way he crashed out of the meeting tonight (at Edinburgh), but we're at a point where we have to do what we feel is right for the club.
“I can honestly say he is one of my favourite riders, but this is purely a business decision and one of the toughest I've ever had to make.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH extended their SGB Championship lead to six points with a 60-30 win over injury-hit Peterborough at Armadale.
Sam Masters raced to a 15-point maximum for the Monarchs with revitalised reserve Max Clegg piling up 13+3, as their opposition – already using r/r for Ulrich Ostergaard were reduced to four riders.
Returning number one Jack Holder was the first man to make an early exit after sustaining a knee injury in a Heat 5 spill; and Kenneth Hansen, riding in what proved to be his final meeting for the club, soon joined him on the casualty list after suffering a hip injury in a Heat 8 incident.
Masters said: “They did really well to get the track as good as it was on a day like this.
“It was one of our easier meetings, not criticising Peterborough but they were unlucky. It’s good to go into a busy month ahead at the top of the league.”
Peterborough owner Ged Rathbone said: “We had Edinburgh worried early on. We kept it very tight and they were certainly looking over their shoulders.
“We battled on after losing one rider to injury, but we had no chance when going down to four men.
“It might sound silly after losing by 30 points, but there were definitely positives to take from part of the meeting.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BELLE Vue surged to the top of the National League table with a 66-24 thumping of Stoke on Friday.
The Colts topped the 60-point mark for the third successive home fixture in a major demonstration of strength, led by a 15-point maximum for Dan Bewley and with Jack Smith (11+1) and Rob Shuttleworth (10+2) both unbeaten by an opponent.
Belle Vue boss Steve Williams said: “Our lads keep banging in these convincing wins, particularly at home which makes Heat 15 a bit of a dilemma but you can’t fault their efforts every time.
“I don’t think we expected to win so comprehensively against the Potters, given how hard they pushed us when we went to their place. To be honest, we were ready for a much closer meeting.
“But we can only race what’s put in front of them and each and every one of them did very well tonight, and despite what the score line may suggest we had some really close and exciting racing.”
Reserve David Wallinger collected 10 points from seven rides for the visitors, whose boss Malcolm Vasey was left unimpressed with his side’s efforts.
He said: “This performance was totally unacceptable and I think we have to look at ways and means of improving the team to avoid this type of scoreline.
“It was simply not good enough, with respect to Belle Vue - they are a very good team and I did not think it would be very easy to come here and get something - but it was a very poor display with one or two exceptions, especially David Wallinger who was heroic for us.”
Meanwhile Plymouth gave their National Trophy hopes a big boost with a 56-34 win over Swindon at the St Boniface Arena.
The Devils now top the group and the return fixture at Blunsdon could be decisive – but their trip to the Isle of Wight next week is a further opportunity for points.
Steve Boxall led the way for the home side with 14+1, with Richard Andrews on 10+2, both unbeaten by an opponent, whilst Zach Wajtknecht scored 14 and David Mason 11 for a weakened Sprockets side.
Plymouth manager Laurence Rogers said: “A superb team effort with all the boys clicking was just what we needed.
“We are now top of the section and go the Isle of Wight on Thursday looking to emulate our cup win there last month and secure the points.”
Swindon boss Lee Kilby said: “It was a very tough meeting. They are home track specialists and got off to a flying start which put us on the back foot.
“We were always up against it with the team we had. We had Darryl (Ritchings) missing unfortunately, and we had two very inexperienced reserves. I didn’t expect them to score many points, and I was very grateful to them for stepping in as without them we probably wouldn’t have had a meeting.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
LAKESIDE chief Jon Cook has slammed his Travel Plus National League rivals after the row over the club’s signing of Paul Hurry.
The Hammers’ team re-declaration, in place for their trip to Stoke on Saturday, shows Hurry’s average now assessed at 7.66 with a second change to their line-up made as 3.00 rider Alex Spooner comes in for George Hunter.
Cook said: “Despite the best efforts of the rest of the league, Paul Hurry will be included in our team this weekend.
“I find it entirely regrettable and very disappointing that his average will now be adjusted after we established his figure with league officials even before the season started when we considered him for inclusion.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
GLASGOW will look to gain ground on SGB Championship leaders Edinburgh tonight (Saturday) – and their clash with Peterborough features a Panthers debut for Chris Harris.
The former British Champion lines up at No.1 for the visitors after the club confirmed his signing in place of Kenneth Hansen following their defeat at Armadale on Friday.
Jack Holder faces a fitness test after he suffered a knee injury in a Heat 5 crash during that meeting.
Tigers boss Stewart Dickson said: “It's all about points building and that's now ten in a row where we've taken something.
“The key, just like two weekends ago, is to make sure we get all three points on Saturday night - which would round off another decent week for us.
“They have got their full complement of riders now and I think they'll give us a match.”
Peterborough promoter Ged Rathbone said: “We very nearly made a move for Chris during the winter, but eventually opted to go down the route of having strength in depth.
“I still maintain that was the correct call even though things haven't quite fallen into place with a couple of riders not hitting their best form so far.
“But I now feel this is the right time to make a change and I must place on record my thanks to Laurence Rogers, for his help in getting a deal done, and also Rye House promoter Steve Jensen, for allowing us to approach Chris.”
Two of the top five sides clash at Derwent Park as fifth-placed Workington take on Ipswich, who have already won twice on the road this season.
Both teams are at full strength with recent Comets signing James Sarjeant taking on the Witches, who he represented as a short-term injury replacement earlier in the campaign.
Workington owner Laura Morgan said: “With the Witches having such a strong top three this has all the ingredients to be one of the matches of the season at Derwent Park.
“We gave a great performance at home last weekend to defeat table-topping Edinburgh and we will certainly have to reproduce that form this week to see off Ipswich, who are certainly showing why they were many people’s tip for silverware this season.
“But, as we all keep saying, there are no easy matches in the SGB Championship and this year’s condensed league of ten teams is certainly providing great entertainment for the supporters week after week!”
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “We are a stronger team than in the last couple of years and last week showed we have mental toughness about us.
“With the side we have we can win anywhere and we will be going there to get another three points on Saturday.
“We are not scared of Workington but we have a lot of respect for how they have started the season and to get an away win already is a real bonus for them.”
Berwick are looking to build on their morale-boosting victory over Peterborough last week when they face Redcar at Shielfield Park.
Dany Gappmaier moves up into the main body of the Bandits’ team with Jye Etheridge going in the opposite direction – although he misses out with a shoulder injury and is replaced on the night by guest Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.
Berwick boss Gary Havelock said: “Dany has had a tremendous start to the season with his huge scores at reserve including a paid 17 and several other double-figures but that means his average has gone up, and even though it would have been good to have him eligible for seven rides, it couldn't last forever.
“Jack has done some pretty decent stuff at Shielfield Park this year already, so he seemed like the best choice on offer (to guest for Etheridge).
“It goes without saying that Redcar are a far better team this season than last, but that only means we want this victory on Saturday night all the more.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
STOKE boss Malcolm Vasey is demanding a positive reaction from his side when they face Lakeside at Loomer Road tonight (Saturday).
The Potters were hammered at Belle Vue on Friday but get an immediate chance to put that defeat out of their systems and add to their Travel Plus National League total.
They face a re-declared Hammers team with Paul Hurry and Alex Spooner coming into the visitors’ line-up.
Vasey said: “I’m looking for a very much improved performance after last night at Belle Vue. The performance was totally unacceptable and I’m looking for a response from the team against Lakeside.
“The Hammers have made a couple of team changes this week so we can expect a tough meeting against them. I’m hoping that the team will respond and give the supporters something to shout about after Friday.”
Meanwhile Eastbourne are waiting on the health of hotshot reserve Tom Brennan ahead of their home clash with Plymouth.
15-year-old Brennan has been suffering from tonsillitis, a problem he has had on and off for some years.
And Eagles boss Connor Dugard is urging his side to read little into their win at the St Boniface Arena in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Dugard said: “On their day, they can surprise anyone. Steve Boxall at number one is a big threat to any team, home or away, and Benji Compton is very capable.
“The top of the table is incredibly tight at the moment and we must win to keep up with the leaders.”
(SPEEDWAY 7)
LEICESTER is the venue for the first round of the ACU British Sidecar Speedway Championship tonight (Saturday).
Locally-based Mark Cossar competes with Carl Blyth at Beaumont Park in the opening meeting of a four-round series, as Leicester stage their first sidecar event.
The other rounds take place at Somerset (June 9), King’s Lynn (July 14) and Belle Vue (October 14.)
Cossar said: “It’s always a challenge to ride at a new track for the first time. But I’m looking forward to it.”
“With Brandon unavailable, I hope that race fans in Rugby will be keen to make the short trip up to Leicester for some rare sidecar speedway action.”
Gates open at Beaumont Park at 6pm with the first race at 7pm.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MAY 27:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Glasgow v Peterborough 7pm, Workington v Ipswich 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Plymouth 7.30, Stoke v Lakeside 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 28:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm, Lakeside v Cradley 3pm, Mildenhall v Belle Vue 3pm
MONDAY MAY 29:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Rye House 2pm, Swindon v Somerset 5pm, Wolverhampton v Poole 6pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Workington 7pm, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Isle of Wight 3pm, Cradley v Belle Vue (follows Wolves fixture)
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Kent v Eastbourne 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2 (500cc/250cc): Scunthorpe (follows SGBC fixture)
WEDNESDAY MAY 31:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Buxton 7.30
Results Friday May 26, 2017;
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Edinburgh 60 – Sam Masters 15
Peterborough 30 – Bradley Wilson-Dean 11
Championship points: Edinburgh 3 Peterborough 0
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Belle Vue 66 (Dan Bewley 15)
Stoke 24 (David Wallinger 10)
National League points: Belle Vue 3 Stoke 0
NATIONAL TROPHY
Plymouth 56 (Steve Boxall 14+1)
Swindon 34 (Zach Wajtknecht 14)
National Trophy points: Plymouth 3 Swindon 0
