SHEFFIELD bosses have arranged a host of extra attractions to make Sunday’s Premier League Riders’ Championship a great day out for everyone.The Owlerton gates will open at 3pm for the 5pm meeting which features top Premier League stars over 22 heats – including a Grand Final to decide the champion.Added attractions include local band Suddenly US who will play before the meeting, a raffle for a 32” TV and other prizes, a personal appearance from World IBF Boxing Champion Kell Brooke, free face painting, an ice cream van – and special commemorative PLRC t-shirts and hats will be available.There’s also free hand clappers for the first 100 children who are with an adult who buys a programme.There will also be two bikes which Olympic cyclists use for training so friends and family can race each other.Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “This is the first PLRC staged by the new management here at Sheffield and we are very proud to be doing so.“We are very much looking forward to it and we have gone to great lengths to make it a great day for everyone, my special thanks must go to Matt at POW UK for his help with the band and our good friends Wosskow Brown Solicitors with the bicycles.“We are opening the gates at 3pm so I would recommend people get down here early and make a day of it before 22 heats of fast and exciting speedway.”The line-up has seen several changes due to a number of reasons with Nick Morris, Morten Risager, Matej Kus, Stuart Robson and Jason Garrity all coming in.1. Steve Worrall (Edinburgh), 2. Ryan Douglas (Scunthorpe), 3. Stuart Robson (Newcastle), 4. Simon Stead (Sheffield), 5. Ben Barker (Plymouth), 6. Craig Cook (Edinburgh), 7. Morten Risager (Ipswich), 8. Jason Garrity (Rye House), 9. Ulrich Ostergaard (Peterborough), 10. Danny King (Newcastle), 11. Theo Pijper (Glasgow), 12. Matej Kus (Berwick), 13. Richard Lawson (Redcar), 14. Lasse Bjerre (Peterborough), 15. Josh Grajczonek (Workington), 16. Nick Morris (Somerset).
(SPEEDWAY 2 – THURSDAY REVIEW)
TAYLOR Poole is due to have surgery today on a broken femur after an horrific crash at Sheffield on Thursday.Poole was involved in a three-man accident in Heat 3 which also left team-mate Leigh Lanham with a suspected broken thumb, whilst Plymouth’s Rasmus Jensen was unable to take any further part in the meeting after the re-run.And Sheffield suffered a further problem later on as Josh Bates aggravated a shoulder injury. The delays caused the Premier League clash to be abandoned after ten races due to the curfew, home reserve Ben Wilson piling up 16+2 from seven rides to help his side edge a 32-30 win.Sheffield boss Joe Screen said: “It was tough losing Taylor and Leigh early on like we did, and it just summed up the way our season has gone really because it’s been an absolute nightmare with injuries. “It was a difficult night and we were pleased to come away with the win at the end, but obviously it was overshadowed by the injuries and we hope everyone has a speedy recovery.”Meanwhile Redcar’s Jan Graversen won the Teesside Silver Helmet defeating Aaron Summers, Ludvig Lindgren and Thomas Jorgensen in the Final.(SPEEDWAY 3 – FRIDAY PREVIEW)
PREMIER League leaders Edinburgh launch the play-offs with their first group fixture against Berwick at Armadale on Friday.The Monarchs have already secured two big wins over the Bandits at home this season, and the visitors will hope to improve with the track knowledge of Claus Vissing and Matthew Wethers, although they will be without Steen Jensen due to a groin injury.Edinburgh skipper Derek Sneddon said: “After our record breaking run was ended the boys were a bit deflated, but after our results last weekend I think we have all hit form again and there couldn’t be a better time to do so.”Meanwhile Plymouth complete their regular Premier League campaign with the visit of Sheffield, as the two sides meet for the second time in 24 hours.Both teams are hit by injuries, especially after the Owlerton clash last night, with Ulrich Ostergaard booked to replace Ben Barker at No.1 for the Devils who are waiting on news from Rasmus Jensen.Sheffield have called up Todd Kurtz but have further spots to fill after seeing three riders hurt on Thursday.
(SPEEDWAY 4)MILDENHALL will be without star reserve Connor Mountain for both legs of the National Trophy Final after a crash in Monday’s British Under-19 Final.Mountain laid his machine down to avoid an accident but was collected from behind and suffered wrist damage meaning he will miss the weekend clashes with Stoke, and the Fen Tigers have brought in 17-year-old Ellis Perks to guest for him.Chairman Kevin Jolly said: “Losing Connor is a massive blow for us, he has been a shining light all season at Mildenhall, improving week on week and showing great skill and maturity for one so young and inexperienced. “But that’s where we are and thankfully Ellis Perks has stepped in to ride for us. We have heard very positive reports about him in the recent weeks, he seems a laid back character with plenty of potential and we will give him all the support he needs over the weekend.”
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Sheffield 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 1st leg: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pmSUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5pmNATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Stoke 3.30
