PIC OF THE WEEK...
An excited James Grieves - now a member of the Nick Morris pit crew - congratulates the Berwick man following his SGB Championship Riders Individual victory at Glasgow on Saturday night.
Picture: TAYLOR LANNING
Latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “It’s hard to believe we’ve won this amazing trophy. So much hard work, so much blood, sweat and tears have gone into this whole season it’s unreal.” Delighted team boss Mark Lemon after the Aces sealed Knockout Cup glory against Wolverhampton on Monday.
LEICESTER – “It's nice for us to win these meetings but then again it wasn't nice to finish bottom of the league so we had to race for survival.” Swedish star Kim Nilsson after the Lions sealed top flight survival with a comfortable aggregate success over Sheffield.
WOLVERHAMPTON – “We did our best and pushed them all the way, and I think we can go away with our heads held high. It just wasn’t meant to be in the end.” Sam Masters felt Wolves could be proud of their efforts despite Knockout Cup Final heartache against Belle Vue.
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
GLASGOW – “We have had a bit of a dip but it would be nice to end the season with some silverware and give everyone a chance to celebrate.” Star man Richard Lawson insists the Tigers are determined to retain the Knockout Cup.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Knockout Cup, Thurs Oct 19 (7.30)
IPSWICH – “We feel that we have worked so hard and had such a great year that we want a trophy to show for it at the end.” Witches’ boss Ritchie Hawkins believes Knockout Cup success would be a worthy reward for their efforts this season.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough/Glasgow, Knockout Cup Final, Thurs Oct 26 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – “All the pressure is on Glasgow as they have to pull the points back on their track and in front of their fans.” Panthers’ owner Ged Rathbone insists Glasgow are the side under pressure after his side established a 10-point lead in their Knockout Cup semi-final tie.
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Knockout Cup, Thurs Oct 19 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – “I felt really good out there, I was comfortable on the bike and I felt fast.” Tigers’ reserve Georgie Wood made national headlines after the race of his career against Leicester on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Thurs Oct 19 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS – “It was quite a brilliant result considering the circumstances. We expected a tough night at Arlington and that’s what we got.” Colts’ boss Graham Goodwin was more than satisfied to leave Eastbourne 12 points down ahead of their play-off final second leg.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, National League Play-Off Final, Weds Oct 18 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM – “It’s all happened so quickly it’s a bit unbelievable to be honest!” Rider-turned-promoter David Mason admits even he is slightly shocked as he prepares for life on the other side of the fence after taking over Birmingham alongside his father.
CRADLEY: “A rubbish way (personally) to end the year. I struggled with injuries, bike problems massively. Hopefully the Heathens will be back next year racing, and we'll see how it goes.” Skipper Tom Perry was left frustrated by a narrow home defeat against Eastbourne in the final Heathens’ outing of the season.
NEXT HOME: F.A.S.T Golden Hammer, Mon Oct 23 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE – “We have the momentum and we are looking to carry that forwards. The morale amongst the boys is sky high.” Team boss Connor Dugard believes they can hold onto a 12-point lead and secure title glory at Belle Vue this week.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue/Mildenhall, Knockout Cup Final, Sat Oct 21 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League Play-Off Final, Weds Oct 18 (7.30)
MILDENHALL – “It was disappointing to lose that last heat, but I have to praise the lads again today for another performance of real character and a sixteen point lead gives us something to really work with on Friday.” Fen Tigers’ Chairman Kevin Jolly believes they are right in the mix ahead of their Knockout Cup semi-final second leg at Belle Vue on Friday.
NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, National League, Sun Oct 29 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Knockout Cup Semi-Final, Fri Oct 20 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH – “It proved to be a great night of speedway and those who didn’t make it missed some top drawer racing.” Devils’ chief Laurence Rogers felt the fans in attendance were the real winner at last week’s Colin Hill Memorial.
NEXT HOME: Autumn Spectacular, Fri Oct 20 (7.15)
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 19:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Redcar 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Peterborough 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 20:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30
AUTUMN SPECTACULAR: Plymouth 7.15
BRITISH 125cc FINAL: Belle Vue (follows KO Cup match)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 21:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Buxton 4.30, Stoke v Isle of Wight (follows previous fixture)
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st/2nd leg: Eastbourne v Mildenhall/Belle Vue 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 22:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Workington 4pm, Newcastle v Redcar (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 23:
FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 26:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st/2nd leg: Ipswich v Peterborough/Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 27:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15
SUNDAY OCTOBER 29:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 3pm
CHALLENGE: Eastbourne ITFirst Eagles v Forman IT Eagles 6pm
