SPEEDWAY News and Fixtures

(SPEEDWAY 1 – THURSDAY REVIEW)

SHEFFIELD and Peterborough fought out a thrilling 45-45 draw in a Premier League classic at Owerton on Thursday.The visitors took a four-point lead into the closing stages only to be pegged back by a 5-1 from Jason Garrity and Josh Bates in Heat 14 which levelled the scores.Panthers guest Brady Kurtz completed a 15-point maximum in the decider but skipper Ulrich Ostergaard suffered ignition trouble as the home side collected a 3-3.Sheffield star Andre Compton said: “We are disappointed we didn’t win, because we felt like we should have come out on top really. We are finding things a little tough without Ty (Proctor) and a couple of riders didn’t have the best of nights.“The track conditions were a bit different to usual, so I think it took everyone a couple of rides to get to grips with things and we just didn’t quite have enough in the end.”Peterborough manager Carl Johnson said: “It was a very good meeting and we are very pleased to keep our unbeaten run going.“We're unlucky not to come away with another victory in all truth, but we are three points clear at the top of the table with three meetings in hand on our closest challengers. It is difficult to be disappointed in a position like that.”

(SPEEDWAY 2 – FRIDAY PREVIEW)

SHEFFIELD have another chance to go back to the top of the Premier League when they make the long haul to Plymouth on Friday.The Tigers have called up Lasse Bjerre to guest for Simon Stead, whilst the home side bring in Richard Andrews at reserve with Sam Chapman still on the injury list – and co-promoter Ashley Taylor believes American star Ryan Fisher could be the key man as he recovers from a slow start to the season.Taylor said: “Ryan appears to be getting over the mechanical problems that troubled him during the early part of the season. As far as we are concerned, Ryan is a genuine number one and his riding position is a false one at the moment.”Reigning champions Edinburgh host Ipswich at Armadale and are set to welcome back German youngster Erik Riss after his recent broken collarbone.Monarchs skipper Craig Cook said: “It will be a good meeting against Ipswich, I’ve actually seen them already this year when I guested for Sheffield against them the other week.“They are a good team, and it’s always good racing against Danny King. He’s a good guy and a fair racer, and someone I like racing against.”Somerset are back in action after a two-week break from racing at the Oaktree Arena, with the visit of Berwick.The Rebels hope to be at full strength depending on the fitness of Benji Compton who suffered a broken nose and concussion in a crash at Rye House on Bank Holiday Monday, whilst the Bandits expect to welcome back Alex Edberg who crashed heavily in the home match against Workington.Boss Garry May said: “We showed in our last outing here when we saw off a very strong looking Sheffield side that we have the riders to see off these sort of challenges.“Now that the newer riders in the team seem to have got themselves fully dialled in to the Oaktree Arena, I expect us to have too much strength throughout for Berwick to be able to handle.”Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey has labelled the Scorpions’ home clash with Rye House as “must-win” after already dropping points to Edinburgh at the Eddie Wright Raceway.Rafal Konopka and Matt Williamson replace the injured Ellis Perks and unavailable Nike Lunna, with rider-replacement in operation for David Howe who is still out with a shoulder problem.Godfrey said: “The key to reaching the play-offs is winning at home, then picking up some points away. Tonight is a must win meeting for us, especially as we have a couple of tough trips to Glasgow and Somerset coming up.“It’s going to a terrific night of racing. Rye House have some class performers such as Edward Kennett and Anders Mellgren, and there are going to be some great battles between them and Josh Auty, Alex Davies, Theo Pijper and Carl Wilkinson. But we need to finish the night with three points added to our account.”Rockets boss John Sampford said: “We are definitely going there to repay the compliment after last Saturday (45-45 draw at Hoddesdon). “We will have Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen and Kasper Lykke back after their Danish Championship commitments, and it’s a track that our riders generally enjoy riding. If we can find the right set-ups quickly enough, we have definitely got the riders who can register the points.”In the National League, Stoke have drafted in Robert Parker at reserve to replace the injured Shaun Tedham for their trip to King’s Lynn, but Ryan MacDonald has been passed fit to return.Potters skipper Jon Armstrong said: “We’ve been a little unlucky at times especially last Sunday when we lost Shaun and Ryan, but we’ve dusted ourselves down and are still in high spirits and we’ll do our best to get something out of the meeting.”Meanwhile Coventry need to pull back 14-point deficit against Kent to progress in the Knockout Cup, and the Storm will be operating rider-replacement for Dan Greenwood who has a Premier League commitment.Manager Laurence Rogers said: “Fourteen points is a lot, but it’s not insurmountable, and also there are no tactical rides in a two-legged competition, so Kent won’t be able to put someone in for double if we open up a lead on the night.“I definitely believe we have a chance. With a couple of 5-1s here and there we can start eating into the lead, and the boys will be up for it.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

WORKINGTON have moved to sign Matthew Wethers – for the second time in the space of just four months!Wethers was originally ruled out of the Comets’ plans due to visa issues but now has clearance to race and is expected to make his debut on Saturday as a replacement for the injured Rusty Harrison.Workington manager Tony Jackson said: “Getting a full team once again is crucial because running with rider replacement is fine if you have no problems but if you have problems or lose a rider during a meeting then you are suddenly down to five riders and are stretched too far.“With several important matches coming up we needed to sign someone and there wasn't really anyone available that was suitable but suddenly Matthew got clearance to get riding again and with his experience it made sense to sign him up before somebody else did.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

STOKE have signed the experienced Paul Burnett as a replacement for the injured Shaun Tedham.Burnett, 33, last rode at National League level for Buxton in 2011 and will make his Potters debut in their KO Cup clash with Cradley on Saturday.Manager Malcolm Vasey said: “Losing Shaun has been a massive blow as he was averaging nearly double-figures and therefore it has been difficult to find a replacement for him. “We feel that with Paul’s experience that we have found someone who is capable of doing well in the National League for us and we are very lucky to have been able to bring him into the side.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

THE second round of the 2015 Mitas British Youth Championship takes place at Eastbourne on Saturday with a 37-rider field lined up to take part.That means a programme of 41 races across the four classes at Arlington, with three of the four winners from Round 1 taking part – 150cc winner Joylon West misses out due to extensive schoolwork.GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “If the first round is anything to go by, then it would be impossible to predict any winners, although 250cc Round 1 runner-up Tom Brennan will be red hot favourite in this class, as Eastbourne is his home track.“In the 500cc class it will be important for the riders competing for this championship not to let Jack Parkinson build up too much of a lead, after claiming the maximum 18 points at Scunthorpe, so look out for the likes of Jamie Halder and Lewis Whitmore to be extra keen to be standing at the top of the rostrum come the end of the evening. “All in all it is sure to be very exciting with all 37 riders giving it 100 per cent and trying to score enough points in the heats to make the all-important Final.“Our thanks to the series sponsors and the BSPA for their continued support for British Youth Speedway.”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY MAY 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Peterborough v Glasgow OFF, Plymouth v Sheffield 7.15, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Berwick 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Stoke 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Coventry v Kent 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Newcastle 7pmTRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Workington v Rye House 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v King’s Lynn 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Stoke v Cradley 7pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2: Eastbourne 5.30

SUNDAY MAY 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Rye House v Workington 5pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3.30


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