BIG EVENT LATEST...
INDIVIDUAL riders’ Championships for each of the three leagues of British Speedway are all to be staged between now and the end of the season.The Elite, Premier and National League events will all be contested by the top men of each division and plenty of keen competition is expected.The National League Riders’ Championship is the first to be staged, the meeting to take place at Rye House’s Hoddesdon venue on Saturday, September 3.The event, which gets underway at 7pm has attracted sponsorship from the nearby Paradise Wildlife Park, the home of the White Lions and the Speedway Museum which has recently been doubled in size to accommodate the additional displays now available. Owner of the Park, Pete Sampson, himself an ex-Rye House rider and long term friend of the sport said: “I am delighted to add our contribution to this very important meeting which brings together the cream of the third tier of racing and the place where all the new young Brits learn their trade. “As a great British patriot I look forward to seeing the progress made by these youngsters and I call on the Speedway fans from every corner to support the event.”The action moves to Sheffield on Sunday, September 25 for the Premier League Riders’ Championship – always one of the most hotly-contested meetings on the domestic British calendar.All fourteen Premier League tracks will be represented by their top rider, with two more competitors to join them in what promises to be a mouth-watering event.Last year’s winner Kenni Larsen has since moved into the Elite League but the list of current Premier League No.1s include the likes of Plymouth’s Ben Barker – who rode in the World Cup this season – former British Champion Joe Screen, now with Glasgow, veteran Australians Shane Parker and Jason Lyons (Sheffield and Redcar respectively) and Edinburgh’s German star Kevin Wolbert.The line-up for the meeting is due to be finalised in the near future and will then be circulated.The Super7even SpeedwayGB events series, which also includes the re-staging of the Premier League Fours Final on a date to be confirmed, is set to be concluded at Swindon on October 15 with the top riders of the Elite League going head-to-head.Wolverhampton’s Freddie Lindgren won the event last season at Peterborough, beating Chris Harris, Kenneth Bjerre and Bjarne Pedersen in the Final – and all could well be involved in the meeting again this time around.
SUPER7EVEN SERIES SPEEDWAY GB EVENTSBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: POOLEBRITISH FINAL: SCOTT NICHOLLSPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: GLASGOWPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Date TBCPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 25 ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, October 15
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE boss Jim Lynch is targeting the Knockout Cup for success this season and believes his side can overcome Peterborough when the sides meet later this month.Lynch said: “I really believe we can do well in the cup. There is nothing to be frightened of in the quarter-final against Peterborough.“Everyone else is also beatable. It all depends on what happens on the night. The first leg of the Peterborough tie at Belle Vue (September 14) will be a big night for us BIRMINGHAM manager Graham Drury says the Brummies are looking to finish their first Elite League season on a high with three away matches to come.Drury said: “We have been riding well of late and obviously we would like to put on a good show at King’s Lynn next Wednesday in front of the Sky cameras.“Last time we went to Wolverhampton we did well so it would be nice to go there and do something similar, and Lakeside is tough trip for us.”COVENTRY boss Alun Rossiter praised his patched-up side for achieving a 49-41 home win over Peterborough on Monday which keeps their outside chances of a play-off place alive.Rossiter said: “It was an absolutely fantastic performance tonight, everyone dug deep to dig that one out, and I’m very pleased with the result.“Rory (Schlein) and Danny (King) did a great job as guests, it was a captain’s performance by Ryan (Fisher), Kenni (Larsen) came up with the goods and little Nick (Morris) came back in and did exceptionally well. He changed bikes, he felt he was going nowhere but he jumped on his second bike and away he went.”EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer is confident of confirming a place in the play-offs, with three home matches to come including Saturday’s double-header against Wolverhampton and Coventry.Geer said: “As long as we don’t do anything stupid, we should be all right. Teams in competition with us are dropping silly points, and that helps us.”KING’S LYNN have been boosted by the return from injury of both Olly Allen and Filip Sitera for their big local derby double against Peterborough this week, starting at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday.Promoter Keith Chapman said: “We have worked hard all season to maintain our place in the top four and we are not prepared to let all that come undone in the last few weeks of the season. Peterborough know we lost at home last time out and will think that we are easy bait, especially with Filip and Olly just returning from injury, but they will be mistaken. “Even if the worst does happen on Wednesday then I wouldn’t be surprised to see us go and get our revenge at their place on Thursday, it promises to be nail-biting stuff for both sets of teams and supporters.”LAKESIDE returnee Jonas Davidsson is looking forward to playing his part for the Hammers in the closing phase of the season after answering the club’s call due to injuries.Davidsson said: “It feels like I am coming ‘home’. It’s great to be able to answer the Hammers’ call for help and, hopefully, we can go on to claim a place in the play-offs and, of course, win the Cup, which was a real highlight for everyone two seasons ago. “I think the boys have done very well to have got into this position with all the injuries. It’s going to be great to be back in the team and be part of the set-up again.”PETERBOROUGH boss Trevor Swales was left fuming with the controversial disqualification of Nicki Pedersen for a Heat 13 clash with Ryan Fisher at Coventry – his mood not helped by the concession of maximum points from the meeting.Swales said: “I felt that certainly one major refereeing decision went against us and that cost us dearly. We watched it on the replay and I can’t go too much into detail but their rider agreed he’d leaned on Nicki.“I must admit I’m at a loss now what to do because we’ve certainly given away four points tonight. It’s so frustrating that we are so close yet so far.”POOLE skipper Davey Watt celebrates his Testimonial meeting at Poole on Wednesday – and is already looking to significantly prolong his career, as 40+ stars Greg Hancock and Tomasz Gollob continue to perform strongly at Grand Prix level.Watt said: “They have got to where they are because they haven’t had big crashes, and kept themselves really healthy and fit.“I can’t see why, as long as I have their belief and passion, fitness and health, I can’t do it. I definitely want to be riding at 40, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”SWINDON co-promoter Gary Patchett says the return of Grzegorz Zengota for the closing weeks of the season will benefit both him and fellow Pole Maciej Janowski, who has stood down from the side.Patchett said: “When Zengi called us and said he was ready to ride we couldn’t offer him a position without Magic stepping down.“However, I spoke to Magic and offered him the opportunity to take a breather from what has been a frantic schedule for him this season. This will give him the opportunity to prepare for his World U21 finals.”WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams is looking for his side to preserve a proud home record of just one Elite League defeat in nearly three years during the remaining weeks of the season.Adams said: “We are just keen now to beat Birmingham at home next Monday and then Belle Vue the Monday after to keep that record.“It’s a shame it’s not an unbeaten home record but if we can end this season with one home league defeat in three years I think that will be a remarkable achievement.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK came agonisingly close to a dramatic comeback win at Workington on Monday – but in the end had to settle for a point, coming from 12-down to be defeated 47-46.Manager Ian Rae said: “The lads had the Comets worried come the last few heats and to go away one point down is a good reward for the effort the Bandits put in on track - although to be so close and not get the win is naturally a disappointment. A good show nonetheless.”
EDINBURGH skipper Matthew Wethers missed the trip to Scunthorpe on Monday after a heavy collision with team-mate Andrew Tully at Glasgow the previous day.Monarchs promoter John Campbell said: “Matthew did have slight concussion but it was the problem with his eye which caused the most concern, he took a real battering when he rode over Andrew. He isn’t the best-placed rider in our team for us to benefit fully from rider-replacement.”
GLASGOW boss Stewart Dickson admits his side are now within touching distance of the Premier League title after home and away wins over fierce rivals Edinburgh during the Bank Holiday weekend.Dickson said: “I have said that the last two weekends were very crucial and given that we have done exceptionally well then I have to say that we are in a very strong position. Obviously there is a lot of racing to be done yet but I really think it would take a collapse of huge proportions for us to lose it.”
IPSWICH Director of Speedway Chris Louis has admitted that teenage sensation Cameron Heeps – who rides for National League Mildenhall, where Louis is also involved – is on the Witches’ radar for next season.Louis said: “Cameron is his own man and will make his own decisions, but we are looking for him to be part of our team.”
LEICESTER boss Jason Attwood was left fuming by his side’s display in the heavy 36-57 home defeat against Newport as their disappointing run continues despite several recent team changes.Attwood said: “I was disgusted with it on Sunday night, still far from happy the next day and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it. I can give the riders as much support as possible, but I can’t ride the bikes for them and experienced riders have got to know how to make starts.”
NEWCASTLE co-director Andrew Dalby said the disqualification of Derek Sneddon from Heat 11 of the Diamonds’ Bank Holiday Monday visit to Rye House had been a turning point in an eventful contest, which the Rockets eventually won 51-38.Dalby said: “Everyone in the stadium including the entire Rye House team had resigned themselves to a disqualification for Steve Boxall, who everyone believed was the cause of Derek’s fall - but the referee saw it differently, and that decision caught us all unawares leaving us on the Newcastle side of the pits decidedly unimpressed and extremely frustrated.”
NEWPORT co-promoter Steve Mallett has expressed sympathy for Justin Sedgmen after the Australian youngster lost his team place with the Wasps in favour of the re-called Anders Mellgren.Mallett said: “We appreciate just how hard Justin has tried since he came to this club, but he has been out of sorts for a while and we felt the real need for a change. In bringing Anders back, we have a rider who we know and one who will settle in straight away.”
PLYMOUTH have moved quickly to sign Justin Sedgmen following his release from Newport – and he will make his Devils debut in the home fixture against Rye House on Friday, where a win will lift them off the bottom of the table.Promoter Mike Bowden said: “I believe he will be a very good signing for us. He was very easy to deal with and I look forward to Justin showing the kind of form that earned him a place with Swindon in the Elite League.”
REDCAR promoter Brian Havelock says the Bears need not fear any opponents after getting the better of table-topping Glasgow last Thursday, with in-form Newport their next visitors.Havelock said: “This will be another tough one but after last week's home victory over the runaway league leaders Glasgow the boys are confident and looking forward to the fixture. It should not be forgotten that in addition to Charlie Gjedde and Jason Doyle, Newport track Leigh Lanham who is also a class heat leader and has shown a real liking for our circuit on his visits this season.”
RYE HOUSE skipper Chris Neath is backing team-mate Steve Boxall to resolve mechanical issues and play a big part in the Rockets’ end-of-season run-in.Neath said: “Steve has been struggling recently for speed, and I think that he found a few things in using my equipment today that will help him going forward. He is probably the most important member of the team, and we know that he can score far more points than he’s been achieving lately. That’s not to knock him in any way – he is trying really, really hard – but if we can get him going again, we can really transform ourselves into one of the strongest teams in the League.”
SCUNTHORPE continued their climb up the Premier League table with a hard-fought 50-41 win over defending champions Edinburgh at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Michael Palm Toft won two races in his first meeting at reserve and said: “My three good rides were good but I didn't enjoy the others. I think I felt slow on the bike until my third heat, then we made some changes and it worked. I was squeezed out on my last ride and nearly hit Richard Hall. I locked the bike totally and nearly came off. It's nice to score some points at home at last.”
SHEFFIELD star Shane Parker says he should have joined the club earlier in his career – but he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with the Tigers’ promotion!Parker said: “I won’t deny we had a disagreement a few years ago, but time is a great healer and it’s an absolute pleasure to ride for Sheffield this season. I only wish I made the move earlier, that’s how much I’m enjoying it.”
SOMERSET star Sam Masters will take over the Rebels’ No.1 position for their home fixture against Leicester on Friday, having gone to the top of the club’s September averages.Manager Steve Bishop said: “Sam has more than fully deserved his elevation to the No.1 spot having put one and a quarter points on his average when comparing this year to last season’s figures. I think we’ve got the greater all-round strength to make it three wins out of three against the Lions so far this year.”
WORKINGTON star James Wright produced a match-winning Heat 15 ride for the Comets against Berwick, having been released from the club the previous week only to be re-instated – although promoter Keith Denham is still looking for changes.Denham said: “I think a lot of credit must go to James for the way he rode tonight and it is just a shame he didn’t do it earlier on in the season. He has gone up in my estimation and he tried 100 per cent tonight and I wish him well for the future.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Newport v Redcar 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Hackney 8pm DAVEY WATT TESTIMONIAL: Poole 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v King’s Lynn 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newport 7.30, Sheffield v Ipswich 7.45 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Dudley 7.30 PHIL MORRIS FAREWELL: Birmingham 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm, Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Plymouth v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Belle Vue 7.30, Stoke v Buxton 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7pm, Eastbourne v Coventry (follows previous fixture) PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Plymouth 7pm, Workington v Ipswich 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 4pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Scunthorpe v Somerset 6pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Stoke 2pm, Belle Vue v King’s Lynn (follows previous fixture), Mildenhall v Newport 4.30
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v King’s Lynn 7.30, Isle of Wight v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Newport 8pm
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.45 JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Plymouth v Newcastle 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Edinburgh 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Hackney 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 4pm, Newcastle v Workington 6.30, Rye House v Plymouth 2pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Hackney v Scunthorpe (follows PL fixture), Newport v Belle Vue 2.30 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 5: Sittingbourne 12pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Coventry 7.30, Peterborough v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30 ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Belle Vue v Peterborough 8pm
