(SPEEDWAY 1)

IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins is urging his side not to let up in their chase for the Championship KO Cup - with the Final at the halfway stage.
The Witches overcame the first-ride loss of Rory Schlein to injury on Sunday and came away from Peterborough with a narrow four-point deficit, but Hawkins says they must remain fully focused for Thursday’s return at Foxhall.
He said: “We have got ourselves in a good position after Sunday and we need to make sure we do the job on Thursday.
“We can’t slack off, everyone has the winter to recover from a really tough and gruelling year for everyone. I am so proud of being able to get this far and we need a trophy in the cabinet to give a great year that final touch.
“It is a tough Final, everyone is well aware that things can turn around very quickly and you don’t know what is going to happen on Thursday night. We need to focus on our job and carry on performing like we have done and then I believe we will get the rewards.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SHEFFIELD bosses have offered an apology after their final meeting of the season against Redcar was delayed on Monday.
The late arrival of the track ambulance caused the interruption before the Tigers battled to a 39-33 win in a match cut short by three races due to the curfew.
Club owner Damien Bates said: “We apologise for the way the meeting was run. The ambulance was booked as always with St Johns who have never let us down before, and we can only apologise for the delay.
“The delay meant we couldn’t complete the meeting and we couldn’t have the firework display, so again we apologise.
“We will honour the commitment we made, so any person keeping their ticket will be given half-price admission to the first official Sheffield meeting in 2018.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

EASTBOURNE have shelved plans to stage a final home challenge match before the end of the season.
The Eagles had been due to take on some of their previous team members on Sunday but they will now be engaged on official duty in the second leg of the National League KO Cup Final at Mildenhall.
Club director Connor Dugard said: “We can’t afford to run the meeting on the Monday or a Tuesday as clearly the abnormal race night or time doesn’t work for people.
“It’s really frustrating as looking at it we had two very even line-ups, and I think either team could have won it by a couple of points.
“The plan is to hopefully run the meeting as a season opener in 2018 - we will keep everyone informed in the winter.
“All roads now lead to Mildenhall on Sunday where we hope to seal the KO Cup for a third consecutive season.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY OCTOBER 26:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Workington 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15, Stoke v Buxton 7pm

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 4pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight (follows previous fixture)