SPEEDWAY POSTPONEMENTS- SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Mildenhall v Isle of Wight - OFF
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Newcastle v Redcar - OFF
LINDGREN WINS PRC
WOLVERHAMPTON star Freddie Lindgren stormed to a stunning victory in the 2017 Premiership Riders’ Championship at Belle Vue.
The Parrys International Wolves No.1 emerged from a breathtaking night of action to see off home stars Max Fricke and Craig Cook in a frantic Grand Final.
Lindgren, who progressed straight to the decisive race alongside top scorer Cook, came under heavy pressure from both Aces’ riders in the early stages.
But he held his nerve after blasting into the dirt and around the outside on the opening bend to take the chequered flag and defend the crown he won at Coventry last year.
It was a memorable night for the in-form Lindgren, who will lead Wolves into the first leg of their SGB Premiership play-off semi-final tie at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday (7.30).
“I’m really happy,” Lindgren said. “It was really tough tonight. We had a bit of rain beforehand which made the track wet and tricky, especially early on.
“It was very tough for every rider, so I was really glad to make it straight to the final and even though I didn’t get the setup 100% with my bike I managed to ride a really good race in the final.
“It’s not easy to make the final in this field, so I’m very happy with my performance and very happy to get the win.”
Ironically, it turned out to be a Wolves vs Belle Vue showdown in the final race after Jacob Thorssell stormed under Max Fricke in the semi-final to take the chequered flag and reach the final.
He narrowly missed out on third place after a brave last-bend lunge underneath Cook, but fourth place was a solid showing after he just edged into the semi-final on countback.
Late call-up Josh Auty, who was in the thick of the action throughout, was amongst the riders to just miss out along with Scott Nicholls, Nick Morris and Chris Harris after they were all tied on eight points.
Hans Andersen and Josh Grajczonek did do enough to progress, but they were left trailing the front two in the semi-final and saw their nights come to an end.
World Championship leader Jason Doyle recovered from a nightmare start to win his final two outings, but it was too little too late in his bid to progress.
And it was ultimately a night which belonged to his Grand Prix rival Lindgren, who was a worthy winner on a night of tremendous racing.
QUALIFYING SCORES (After 20 heats): Craig Cook 13, Freddie Lindgren 11, Hans Andersen 10, Josh Grajczonek 9, Max Fricke 9, Jacob Thorssell 8, Scott Nicholls 8, Nick Morris 8, Chris Harris 8, Josh Auty 8, Jason Doyle 7, Brady Kurtz 7, Kim Nilsson 5, Richard Lawson 5, Danny King 2, Thomas Jorgensen 2, Rob Shuttleworth 0 (reserve).
SEMI-FINAL: Thorssell, Fricke, Andersen, Grajczonek.
GRAND FINAL: Lindgren, Fricke, Cook, Thorssell.
(SPEEDWAY 1)
EDINBURGH clinched their SGB Championship play-off place with a resounding 54-38 win at Workington on Saturday.
The visitors won 13 of the 15 races at Derwent Park with Ricky Wells and Erik Riss both romping to maximums.
It means the Monarchs are guaranteed third place in the table come the Monday cut-off, as they continue their bid for a fifth league title in ten years.
Wells said: “It’s a great result and it was nice to do it at one of my old tracks. I know the set-ups and I was trapping tonight, my suit is clean and I’m really happy.
“Everything felt good, it was one of those nights where I had to make minimum changes.
“As a team it’s a great result. We knew we would come here and get some kind of result but I’m happy to get the four league points, we did the business and now we wait and see who picks us in the play-offs.”
Glasgow are all-but mathematically sure of a play-off place too, after they defeated closest rivals Redcar 56-36 at Ashfield.
The Tigers are now eight points clear of the Bears, who only have two matches remaining, whilst Glasgow are at home again on Sunday and have a superior points difference.
Richie Worrall dropped his only point to an opponent in Heat 15, and team-mate Aaron Summers was unbeaten until Heat 13, with three of the Tigers’ guests also being paid for double figures. Ben Barker collected paid-16 for the Bears.
Meanwhile leaders Sheffield fell to a 50-40 defeat at bottom club Berwick, who completed a tough season with another fine performance at home.
The Bandits moved to within one point of Scunthorpe with the victory, led by skipper Kevin Doolan on 13 points with Dany Gappmaier adding 10+1. Tigers captain Kyle Howarth (14) and Lasse Bjerre (12) dominated the visitors’ scoring.
Berwick boss Gary Havelock said: “What a finish! Our sixth home win in a row, and a 10-point win over the team who are odds on favourite to with the whole league!
“After our lousy start to the season with all that bad luck and injuries we've finished this season like a steam trainand it really gives us strength and a real belief for the seasons to come.”
Sheffield co-promoter Peter Mole said: “We had a few engine problems tonight and that hampered our scoring power, at reserve in particular, unfortunately.
“So we need to make sure that is rectified quickly in time for our next meeting on Monday.
“We can't take anything away from Berwick though; they've come into a bit of form late on in the season and this was their last home fixture of the year which they were desperate to win and full credit to them.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
KENT firmed up their National League play-off place – and sent out a statement of title intent – with a 49-40 win at Eastbourne on Saturday.
Luke Bowen scored 14 points in a powerful Kings display to end the Eagles’ unbeaten home run in official fixtures dating all the way back to June 2013, with George Hunter, Jack Thomas and Dan Greenwood all paid for double figures. Josh Bailey won four races on his way to 16 for the hosts.
The Eagles recovered to defeat Mildenhall 57-33 in the second match of a double header, a result which takes them to the top of the table.
Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “Clearly, we are disappointed to have lost our unbeaten record. It had to end at some stage.
“Things did not go our way against Kent but they certainly deserved the victory. It was a hard fought match and they had the edge.”
“You always wonder how your team will react to a defeat. We came back strongly and ran up a big win (against Mildenhall), which quickly restored the confidence.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW can mathematically secure their SGB Championship play-off place by avoiding defeat at home to Peterborough today (Sunday).
The Tigers reached the brink of qualification with their Ashfield win over rivals Redcar on Saturday, and now welcome back heat-leader Richard Lawson for the clash with the Panthers.
The Bears are also in action as they visit Newcastle in a North-East derby having narrowly missed out on an away win at Brough Park on their previous visit earlier this month.
Meanwhile Scunthorpe are bidding to complete their home league programme on a high when they host Workington at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I feel we’ve underachieved this season, but Workington are in the same boat. They’re not having a great season either, and what that means is that we a great chance to defeat them again.
“We have another opportunity to see what Jake Allen can do around the Eddie Wright Raceway, after his fabulous debut for us last Sunday.
“With the likes of Craig Cook and Thomas Jorgensen in opposition, another cracking afternoon of action is in store. But I want us doing the winning this time.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BUXTON host a crunch National League double-header against play-off chasing Lakeside and Kent at Hi-Edge today (Sunday).
The Hitmen are scrapping to avoid the wooden spoon and bring in Liam Carr to guest for Matt Williamson at No.1
Boss Jason Pipe said: “I can imagine now that both Lakeside and Kent will be coming to Buxton on Sunday expecting a really hard meeting and rightly so.
“We have shown that we can spring one or two surprises when we have our full team out, and it will feel like that on Sunday because Liam is just as good around Hi-Edge as Matt.
“Both teams will have seen our result at Mildenhall recently when we came away with a draw, which really should have been a win and they know they'll be in for a tough meeting.”
Lakeside have booked Luke Bowen to replace the injured Zach Wajtknecht, with Bowen therefore set to compete in both meetings as he also appears for Kent – who could take over at the top of the table with a win.
Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook said: “We need to make sure we approach it properly and get something out of the meeting.
“A win would guarantee us a place in the play-offs but who knows, a consolation point may also be enough in the end. The riders just have to go there and do their best.”
Meanwhile Mildenhall host the Isle of Wight at West Row with the Fen Tigers now having no margin for error in their chase for the play-offs.
The hosts trail fourth-placed Lakeside by seven points and have just three matches remaining with a total of eleven points available.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LEICESTER are ready to renew their rivalry with Coventry in a special one-off East Midlands Bowl clash at Beaumont Park today (Sunday).
Hundreds of Bees fans are expected to make the trip across the M69 after seeing their club closed down on the eve of the season due to the unavailability of Brandon Stadium
Josh Bates is set to return from injury for the Lions and will face his former club – as will Danny King. Coventry include top trio Scott Nicholls, Hans Andersen and Rory Schlein who all won top-flight honours during their time with the club.
Leicester co-promoter Neil Machin said: “We are certainly looking forward to this meeting and we have had a lot of interest in it.
“We’ve been out and about actively promoting Leicester Speedway in the community and not only will there be a battle on the track, I suspect there will be a battle to establish who makes most noise, Leicester or Coventry fans!
“It should be a great afternoon and we’re all looking forward to it.”
The meeting also includes the final round of the British Youth Championship at 500cc and 250cc levels.
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Peterborough 3pm, Newcastle v Redcar 6.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Lakeside 3pm, Buxton v Kent (follows previous fixture), Mildenhall v Isle of Wight OFF
EAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester v Coventry 2pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (500cc/250cc) Round 8: Leicester (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18:
SGB PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Redcar 7.45
REVENGE CHALLENGE: Kent v Birmingham 6.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Somerset 7.30
Results Saturday September 16, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP RIDERS INDIVIDUAL, Belle Vue
1 Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton)
2 Max Fricke (Belle Vue)
3 Craig Cook (Belle Vue)
4 Jacob Thorssell (Wolverhampton)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Berwick 50 (Kevin Doolan 13)
Sheffield 40 (Kyle Howarth 14)
SGB Championship points: Berwick 3 Sheffield 0
Glasgow 56 (Richie Worrall 14)
Redcar 36 (Ben Barker 15+1)
SGB Championship points: Glasgow 3 Redcar 0
Workington 38 (Mason Campton 14+1)
Edinburgh 54 (Ricky Wells 15)
SGB Championship points: Workington 0 Edinburgh 4
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Eastbourne 40 (Josh Bailey 16)
Kent 49 (Luke Bowen 14)
National League points: Eastbourne 0 Kent 4
Eastbourne 57 (Charley Powell 12+1)
Mildenhall 33 (Connor Mountain 12)
National League points: Eastbourne 3 Mildenhall 0
