SPEEDWAY News and Fixtures

(SPEEDWAY 1)

ELITE League table-toppers Lakeside face a busy programme next week with several of their opponents looking to gain ground in the play-off race.The Hammers extended their lead to three points with a 59-37 win over Peterborough at Purfleet on Friday, and now head to away matches at Coventry (Monday) and Poole (Wednesday) with a home clash with Swindon following next Friday.Coventry co-promoter Mick Horton said: “I certainly feel this match will be a big test for us. Lakeside have started the season in excellent form and they’ve already shown what they can do on the road.“Our boys know this is an important match in order to prove they have what it takes to sustain a challenge for the play-offs.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SCUNTHORPE boss Richard Hollingsworth says his side’s League Cup prospects will be decided by their remaining fixtures against Sheffield.The Scorpions defeated Glasgow 40-34 at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday with the match not running its full course due to the weather – and the margin of victory saw the home side limited to two points.Hollingsworth said: “It’s difficult not to see this as a League Cup point dropped. We are still in reasonable position, but an extra point tonight would have been most welcome.“Our reserves, Ash (Birks) and Jerran (Hart) were very solid. I’m pleased Ash was able to ride after recovering from concussion. He is now feeling much better. Obviously the two League Cup meetings against Sheffield are very important.”(SPEEDWAY 3)

SOMERSET have set the target at the top of the Southern League Cup group after a 52-44 home win over Plymouth.The Devils fought back strongly after being 4-20 down after four heats, but the Rebels held on for maximum points and with their semi-final place assured they now wait to find out if they finish as group winners or runners-up.Manager Steve Bishop said: “We had an unbelievable start to the match, but we knew that Plymouth had the ability to come back at us and so it proved. For the second week running Heat 8 seemed to be a problem for us, but at the end of the day we got all three match points which was our main objective. “It is now out of our hands as to whether or not we finish top of our group. We can do no more in that respect and must wait now to see what Ipswich do in their remaining fixtures and take it from there as to whether we face the top or second placed team from the Northern Group in our semi-final.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

MILDENHALL is the venue for the second round of the British Youth Championships on Sunday with a 3pm start-time at West Row.Admission for a bumper 36-heat programme has been reduced to £5 for adults with under-15s free, and the Fen Tigers’ reserve pairing of Josh Bates and Nathan Stoneman both compete in the 500cc category.Mildenhall promoter Michael Lee said: “We were delighted and proud when we got allocated this meeting, as youth development is at the heart of everything we do at Mildenhall. It promises to be a great day of racing and a lot of the boys taking part have the potential to get to the very top.”Meanwhile the series itself has attracted sponsorship from Duck Smart Cleaning, who will supply their products to the top three riders in each class and additional prizes for ‘Riders of the Day’ in all six rounds.GB Youth co-boss Phil Morris said: “It’s great news that a new company has decided to help at grassroots level. I'm sure all the British Youth Riders will be excited to hear the news. There’s no excuse for dirty bikes now, lads! We would really like to thank Duck Smart and all our sponsors for their valuable assistance.”(SPEEDWAY 5)

THE Isle of Wight have signed Aaron Baseby on loan from Mildenhall as a replacement for the injured Marc Owen.Baseby, ironically, will make his debut for the Islanders against his parent club with Owen likely to be out for at least six more weeks after his crash in the British Under-21 Final.Isle of Wight co-boss Kevin Shepherd said: “We had initially hoped that Marc would be fit to return to action next week and he hoped the same, but his doctors have told him he mustn’t ride a speedway bike for at least another six weeks.“Mildenhall informed us that they were more than happy for Aaron to come and ride for us, he wanted to come and a deal was quickly done and we wish to place on record our thanks to the Mildenhall promotion for their assistance.”

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY MAY 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Stoke v Scunthorpe 5.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2: Mildenhall 3pm

MONDAY MAY 14:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Birmingham 7.30, Coventry v Lakeside 7.30GARY PETERSON MEMORIAL: Wolverhampton 7.30

TUESDAY MAY 15:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Lakeside 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Dudley 7.30


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