(SPEEDWAY 1)
TRIBUTES have been paid to former rider and manger Neil Street, who has passed away in Australia at the age of 80.Street, grandfather of treble World Champion Jason Crump, achieved considerable success in his managerial career both at club level and internationally, where he led Australia to World Cup victories in 2001 and 2002, receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to speedway.He won multiple domestic titles in charge of Poole, and current Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “He was one of the Great Men of speedway and was so knowledgeable about the sport. Australian speedway would not be in the rich vein it is right now had it not been for the dedication of Neil.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
NEWPORT promoter Steve Mallett says club bosses still have a big decision to make on their future – despite last weekend’s Knockout Cup triumph.The Wasps ended their 12-year wait for a trophy with victory over Glasgow with a good crowd for their home leg, and Mallett now says attendances over their final three home matches of the season will be crucial.He said: “We have done our bit in producing a side capable of winning ten successive home meetings and then picking up silverware. But what we don’t want now is for fans to say to themselves, ‘that’s it, we did our bit by turning up for the Cup Final.’“We really do, and I can’t stress this enough, want them all to return for our final few fixtures. The stark reality is if they don’t, then the very existence of this great club is in doubt.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey has hailed 2011 as the club’s best year yet as they continue to establish themselves as a force in the Premier League.The Scorpions round off their home campaign against Redcar on Friday and victory would make it seventeen wins out of nineteen this season at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Godfrey said: “Seven years ago we had a grass field, six years ago we were an average Conference League team, four years ago we made the big jump into the Premier League and two years ago we made it into three competition semi-finals. This year has been our best yet and we are still growing as a club. “We’ve held the Ben Fund meeting, we’ve made progress with the stadium and victory against Redcar is important because it is the last opportunity most fans will have to see the team for over five months.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD/SCUNTHORPE and Belle Vue will contest the second leg of their National League play-off semi-final at Owlerton on Thursday – with Mildenhall awaiting the winners in the Final.Sheffield have reduced their normal admission prices to £10 for adults and £8 for over-65s, and promoter Neil Machin says they are optimistic of overturning a five-point first leg deficit.Machin said: “It would be a terrific achievement for the club to reach the Final and we know anything can happen over two legs, but the boys have a job to do first.“Belle Vue have their injury problems so I guess we have to fancy our chances. The Worrall brothers, Steve and Richie, have made great progress this season and down at reserve Adam Wrathall and Stefan Nielsen are what the National League is all about.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 6:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Sheffield v Belle Vue 7.45CHALLENGE: Redcar v USA Touring Team 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newport 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Hackney v Scunthorpe (at Lakeside) 8pm
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Newport 7pm, Workington v Plymouth 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v King’s Lynn 7pm GRAND FOURS CHALLENGE: Leicester v Coventry v World Select v USA Touring Team 7.30CHALLENGE: Stoke v Birmingham Bulls 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 1.30, Glasgow v Somerset 3.30, Newcastle v Newport 6.30, Rye House v Workington 2pm USA STYLE SPEEDWAY INDIVIDUAL: Buxton 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
