(SPEEDWAY 1)
NEW Birmingham captain Mitchell Davey scored a 12-point maximum as the Brummies opened their new era with a win.
The hosts defeated Coventry 52-37 in a Challenge match at Perry Barr which went ahead despite heavy downpours in the build-up.
Davey won his four rides whilst Layne Cupitt (10+1) and Danyon Hume (10) also scored double-figures, whilst Coventry No.1 Connor Mountain won three races on his way to 12 points, and reserve Jamie Halder racked up 10+2.
Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “First and foremost we have to take our hats off to the track staff. They worked tirelessly throughout the day to try and get the meeting on.
“I thought the way the team applied themselves was excellent and there is plenty to look forward to from this group of riders - especially when conditions aren't as tricky!
“Our win would have been by more had we not conceded two 5-1s in the final two races, but we'll take a 15-point win and there's plenty to build on from here.”
Mountain said: “It was a very wet meeting so it’s a bit hard to judge how things are going to pan out, but it’s good to get the first one out of the way.
“It was a Challenge match on a really wet track, but fair play to the track guys for getting it on, and it didn’t turn out too badly in the end.
“I have some things to work on, and I was breaking in an engine I’d got over the winter so there were different things to try and twelve points wasn’t bad.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue have moved for Paul Starke on a short-term deal after Polish newcomer Damian Drozdz was ruled out.
Drozdz crashed at Swindon last Thursday and suffered an injury to his left shoulder which rules him out of the Aces’ upcoming meetings.
Starke has been signed on a minimum 28-day contract and is set to make his debut in Easter Monday’s home-and-away KO Cup clashes with Wolverhampton.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KING’S Lynn have confirmed Robert Lambert will retain the captaincy of the Stars this season.
Lambert is going into his fifth year with the club at Premiership level and will be assisted by newly-installed vice-captain Ty Proctor.
Said Lambert: “I’m delighted and very honoured to be awarded the captaincy of a great club like King’s Lynn for a second season.
“I feel I have earned my team place and the captaincy. When Dale (Allitt) asked me, I was thrilled to accept immediately.
“I think we have a great team this year with lads who are very determined to do the best for the team as well as themselves. The future looks bright for King’s Lynn, I’ve been very impressed with the way things have happened so far in the build-up to the new season.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
NEW Glasgow boss Cami Brown insists he’s up for the challenge of leading the Tigers into the 2018 season - despite his shock at being thrust into the hotseat.
Brown was promoted to the manager’s role at Ashfield after Stewart Dickson stood down from his role this week.
Brown said: “I'm really looking forward to the challenge. We've got a good backroom team in place and a chain of people to help at all levels.
“Nothing has really changed, we're still going with the same plan. But the club comes first and that's the most important thing for me. I want the club to have the success it deserves, and the fans deserve.
“I completely understand some fans' sadness at seeing Stewart go, but they've got to get behind the team. It's not about me, it's about the club and the team.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SCUNTHORPE boss Dave Peet is confident of a concerted bid for silverware from his side this season.
The Scorpions were Premier League Champions back in 2012 but have been unable to mount a play-off challenge in recent years and have made wholesale changes to their line-up for the new campaign.
Peet said: “I am very excited for our prospects this season. I believe we have assembled a strong side.
“Steve Worrall is very much a rider on the up, who is riding with confidence and will lead from the front. He will make an excellent captain, and has already had a talk with the lads.
“There is such a good vibe in the camp. The team are already in constant communication with each other.
“We do have plenty of strength down the whole side. There’s always an element of luck, but I believe we will be there-or-thereabouts when it comes to all the major silverware. The league, the KO Cup, the Championship Shield, the fours - we want to be in contention in all of them and see what we can win.”
SPEEDWAY POSTPONEMENT FRIDAY MARCH 30:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg
Poole v Somerset - OFF
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MARCH 29:
PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Leicester OFF (Now April 12)
FRIDAY MARCH 30:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F: Poole v Somerset OFF, (1st leg) Somerset v Poole 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Ipswich v Lakeside 2.15, Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 1pm
SCOTTISH CUP 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
EASTER CHASE 1st leg: Kent v Eastbourne OFF
SATURDAY MARCH 31:
TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 1st leg: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm
EASTER CHASE 1st leg: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30
CUMBERLAND OPEN: Workington 7pn
SUNDAY APRIL 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 3pm
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Peterborough v Ipswich 7pm
TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Berwick 6.30
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (125cc) Round 1: Scunthorpe (follows Champ fixture)
Results Wednesday March 28, 2018
CHALLENGE
Birmingham 52 (Mitchell Davey 12)
Coventry 37 (Connor Mountain 12)
