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GREAT Britain World Cup stars Tai Woffinden and Chris Harris will clash in their opening ride at the British Final on June 15.Defending champion Woffinden and treble winner Harris will have been team-mates in the week before the meeting with GB in action at King’s Lynn and Vojens.But the draw for the national title showdown at Wolverhampton pitches them into direct competition in Heat 3 - where they will also face Jason Garrity, who caused several upsets on his way to fifth place overall last season, and home rider Lewis Blackbird.Woffinden admits that whilst he can still call Monmore Green ‘home’ despite not racing in the Elite League this season, he will need to re-adapt to the circuit.He said: “Of course I’m really pleased to be back at Wolverhampton, I’ve been looking forward to this occasion ever since I qualified.“I will have to be on top form to win the title again. I haven’t ridden a track the shape and size of Wolverhampton all year so it might take a couple of races for me to get dialled in back at the place, but we shall see.“It’s always well prepared and I’ve done a lot of laps there down the years – but not this year and that’s the difference.”Seven-times champion Scott Nicholls, meanwhile, starts his bid for title No.8 in Heat 2, where he goes up against last year’s runner-up Craig Cook, Kyle Howarth and Adam Roynon.The Belle Vue skipper last took the title in 2012, but both he and Harris finished off the rostrum last year - the first time since 2004 that neither had featured in the top three.Harris said: “Me and Scott have been up there for a long time now, but I think this year especially is looking really difficult. “Obviously Woffy has won it the last couple of years, and some of the other boys coming through are riding really well.“Jason Garrity has been flying for us at Coventry and he did well in the British Final last year, and Kyle Howarth is going well too.“It’s been a good few years since I was there at the top of the podium, so I’m desperate to get back on the top step and become British Champion again – hopefully this can be my year.”Belle Vue and Newcastle star Steve Worrall has won a late call-up to the meeting following the withdrawal of Josh Auty due to injury.
BRITISH FINAL DRAW: 1 Carl Wilkinson (Scunthorpe), 2 Andre Compton (Sheffield), 3 Ben Barker (Berwick), 4 Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Newcastle), 5 Craig Cook (Belle Vue/Edinburgh), 6 Kyle Howarth (Swindon/Workington), 7 Adam Roynon (Redcar), 8 Scott Nicholls (Belle Vue), 9 Tai Woffinden (Unattached), 10 Chris Harris (Coventry), 11 Jason Garrity (Coventry/Sheffield), 12 Lewis Blackbird (Wolverhampton/Peterborough), 13 Richard Lawson (Lakeside/Glasgow), 14 Danny King (Coventry/Ipswich), 15 Edward Kennett (Lakeside/Rye House), 16 Leigh Lanham (Somerset).
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2015:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: JASON DOYLEBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: KYLE HOWARTHBRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton, Monday June 15PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday July 3PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough, Sunday August 2PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 6
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry, Sunday June 14NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn, Saturday September 5NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Saturday September 26
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BELLE VUE’s future planning has taken a further step forward with news that talented Australian youngster Max Fricke is to become an asset of the club.Co-promoter George Carswell said: “We wanted to start building an asset base of young riders with the intention of their being with us for extended periods of time and each signing we’ve made has been a long-term move on our part.“Edinburgh have always been aware that if the opportunity arose to do a deal we’d be interested, and when Max chose to ride Elite League this year it was the natural route for us to pursue.”COVENTRY manager Gary Havelock believes a strong top four will be a significant factor for the Bees in the second half of the Elite League season.Havelock said: “Joonas (Kylmakorpi) has been a revelation, and Danny (King) has been banging the points in.“The good thing is that we’re probably going to have one of them at No.4 all season. I might be a little bit biased, but the way I look at it I think that means we have four Elite League heat-leaders.”KING’S LYNN boss Rob Lyon admits the Stars need to show a major improvement on their heavy defeat at Poole last week, with the serious injury to Rory Schlein having drastically affected their season.Lyon said: “We were out fought and out ridden tonight. We need to draw a line under it. There is a long way to go yet.”LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook says the club could move to a site currently utilised for parking at Purfleet if a proposed housing development at the venue comes to fruition.Cook told Speedway Star: “The bit of land we’ve identified is quite small - very small in the scheme of things. There would be very few houses lost, and we feel we could incorporate facilities for the housing estate like a gym and a nursery.“We hope we can find a friendly developer, as opposed to the land being sold with that not being part of the deal.”LEICESTER boss Norrie Allan has his attention firmly on team strengthening ahead of the Lions’ Elite League resumption - but admits it can be a frustrating process.He said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of people but it’s the usual thing, they don’t want to do it or they want to be in Poland on Saturdays to practice, so those problems continue.“I’ll speak to Greg (Walasek) before the Coventry match to see how he’s coming on, although I do think he came back a little early before.”POOLE moved to the top of the Elite League table ahead of the World Cup break with a 58-34 home win over King’s Lynn.Pirates skipper Maciej Janowski scored his second maximum of the season and believes the result shows his side will be firmly in the hunt for a third successive league title.Janowski said: “This was a good team performance, we all rode well and on nights such as this I think it shows that we could go on and win the title if we can keep this going.”SWINDON star Nick Morris was delighted to mark his World Cup debut with 12 points in Monday’s opening event at King’s Lynn.Morris, the Robins’ top rider this season, said: “Britain battled all the way as we knew they would but we stuck at it, kept scoring points and we're stoked to be into the final. I was making some bad starts which made life harder for me but I had some good speed in my bikes so it wasn't too bad coming from the back.“The final is with the best teams in the world so it's going to be tough, but all our boys are fired up and we're going to go there and give it our best shot.”WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten is hoping his side come back fully firing after the World Cup break in order to strengthen their play-off challenge.Van Straaten said: “We need everyone to re-focus during the World Cup break and try and come back stronger for the rest of the season, there’s lots to go for.“The team needs Freddie (Lindgren) to get back amongst the points otherwise we’re going to struggle, and although every meeting in this league is tough, we need to be picking up points.”
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BERWICK will be looking to get their first Premier League points on board with two meetings in two days later this week.The Bandits face Redcar on Thursday before travelling to Plymouth on Friday.The Shielfield outfit haven’t won in three meetings.EDINBURGH can close the gap at the top of the Premier League when they go head-to-head home and away with fierce rivals Glasgow this weekend.Club Director Brian Gray said: “Earlier results don’t count as both clubs want to dominate this weekend which will determine the bragging rights for the rest of the season.“It’s a double clash of two of the country’s top teams.”GLASGOW have been hit with the news that Kozza Smith’s season is over after suffering several broken bones in a horrific crash on Sunday.Team Boss Stewart Dickson said: “He has a broken femur, he has broken the bone in three places and he also has five cracked ribs as well as hip damage as well.“He was just getting a wee upturn in form but it’s a very cruel sport in that way.IPSWICH want to get back to winning ways when they face two meetings in two days later this week.The Witches travel to Peterborough on Friday, but before that they host Newcastle at Foxhall on Thursday – a meeting the management will face a selection headache for.They will definitely be without Danny King and Gino Manzares, both who are on Speedway World Cup duty and Cameron Heeps may also be missing.NEWCASTLE slipped to their second Premier League defeat of the season with a narrow 48-42 home loss to table-toppers Somerset on Sunday.Promoter Alan Hedley said: “It was a fair result – Somerset were the stronger side and are a team on form.“Although it was disappointing that we didn’t perform to the best of our ability.”PETERBOROUGH have been hit by yet another injury blow as captain Ulrich Ostergaard has suffered a suspected broken toe and ankle ligament damage in a crash in Denmark.Panthers Promoter Ged Rathbone said: “Ulrich was hit by another rider and that just about sums up our luck with injuries this season.“We will be in regular contact with him in the current days, but both Ulrich and ourselves are optimistic he will be able to ride on Friday.” PLYMOUTH host Berwick in the Premier League this Friday – a meeting which will see former No.1 and captain Ben Barker return to the St Boniface Arena.Devils Co-Promoter Ashley Taylor said: “We all know what Ben can do, especially at the Arena in front of the Plymouth supporters.“We have just got to make sure that we are up for it on the night.” REDCAR have loaned Adam Roynon for a further month – keeping him at the club until the end of June.Meanwhile, the Bears are set to announce a team change later this month subject to BSPA approval.Promoter Brian Havelock said: “We had to do something, we couldn’t go on like that – our performance at Ipswich was dreadful.”RYE HOUSE have been hit by the news that Kasper Lykke suffered a broken collarbone while racing in Denmark over the weekend.Team Manager John Sampford said: “We hope that the break is of the less severe variety and that he can speed up the recovery time with laser treatment.“The worst case is that he will be facing 4-6 weeks out but he will be trying to bring that forward if at all possible.”SCUNTHORPE are targeting their first Premier League win of the season when they host Workington on Friday.Scorpions Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We need to beat Workington on Friday – it’s as simple as that!“With a performance of similar determination (to that shown against Newcastle last week), I’m sure we can overcome the Comets and get some home Premier League points on the board.SHEFFIELD’s Andre Compton has described the Tigers as “a team of fighters.”He said: “We made a fantastic start and that had a lot to do with our team spirit and the fact that we were functioning well as a group.“It’s been a bit frustrating because of all the injuries we’ve had but we have a team of fighters who will give it everything they’ve got and nobody can ask for more.”SOMERSET extended their winning run to six meetings with wins over Rye House and Newcastle last week to pull clear at the top of the Premier League.Commenting after their home win over the Rockets, Team Manager Garry May said: “Not only did we come back from a first half deficit to win the meeting and deny Rye House any points, but the fans were treated to a match of breath-taking action.“We stretched our unbeaten home record to that 50 meeting mark – what more could you ask for from a match?”WORKINGTON are another Premier League side who face back-to-back meetings this weekend with clashes against Scunthorpe and Rye House.Team Manager Tony Jackson said: “We have raced less league fixtures than any other team and we will clearly be getting much busier in the coming weeks and months.“There are no easy matches in the Premier League and this weekend’s matches will be tough as both are solid sides throughout.”
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BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury admits he is considering team changes despite his side extending their unbeaten run to six meetings against Buxton last Wednesday.Said Drury: “It’s never nice seeing riders struggling like Harvie (Banks) has been and especially at this level with the riders being so young and trying to make a name for themselves, it makes my decision harder.“But I seriously need to weigh up all options and make a decision that has the rest of our season in mind if we want to win some trophies.” BUXTON are looking to keep their National League Knockout Cup 1st Leg as close as they can when they travel to King’s Lynn on Wednesday.Hitmen Team Manager Jason Pipe said: “The Young Stars will be no push overs, especially on their own track and I believe this tie will go right down to the wire over the two legs.“I’m very excited to see how things develop on Wednesday - a good cup run is something that we could really do with.”COVENTRY extended their remarkable away record with a dramatic 46-43 win at King’s Lynn last week.Team Manager Laurence Rogers said: “That was a brilliant performance – we were throwing points away at the beginning but we bounced back superbly in the end.“We’ve got 12 points on the board from five away matches and no other club has got that, so we must be worrying the top two at the moment as we’re there without having ridden a home match!”CRADLEY boss Will Pottinger has warned his riders to take nothing for granted when they host Kent this Wednesday.Said Pottinger: “They’ve got a good top end to their team with Ben Morley, James Shanes and Aaron Baseby and Danny Ayres is also in good scoring form too so they’re all capable of putting in good performances on their day.“We need to make sure we’re all at it if we want to pick up three more league points and keep our unbeaten league start at Perry Barr going.”EASTBOURNE went top of the National League with a 54-39 win over Rye House on Sunday.Team Manager Glenn Martin said: “It was a great all-round team performance and a decisive win although they did come back at us in the closing stages.“We’ve met the top teams away and come very close to victory but now we need to convert that promise into victories.”KENT slipped to a second consecutive home defeat on Monday as they went down 47-42 at the hands of Stoke.It was a huge blow to the King’s title hopes who are now eight points behind the National League leaders.Kent travel to Perry Barr on Wednesday to face reigning Champions Cradley.KING’S LYNN’s Tom Stokes escaped any serious injury following a crash last Wednesday.Team Manager Dale Allitt said: “Tom is very lucky – we all thought the worst when it happened but fortunately he has come away fairly unscathed.”The Young Stars host Buxton on Wednesday in the first leg of their National League Knockout Cup clash.MILDENHALL Chairman Kevin Jolly believes his side have a good chance of winning the National League Fours at Coventry this Sunday.Said Jolly: “I am firmly of the opinion that we can be in the shake up; all four riders are in good form now and all performed well in terrible conditions at Stoke.“With a little rub of the green I have no doubt that we can progress into the final and from there play a big part in the final outcome.RYE HOUSE will be looking for quick revenge when they host Eastbourne this Saturday.The Raiders suffered a 54-39 defeat at Arlington on Sunday, but put in a much more positive display in the closing stages.The Raiders will be looking to add to their National League tally to move them off the bottom of the table.STOKE finally got off the mark in the National League with back-to-back wins against Mildenhall and Kent.Team Manager Malcolm Vasey said: “It’s been a great weekend for us on the track with two wins in successive days and we are now off the bottom of the table and are on the up.“I’m absolutely delighted for the team and supporters.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JUNE 10:CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7.15, Scunthorpe v Workington 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Rye House 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Eastbourne 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Newcastle v Peterborough 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 15:BRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Rye House 6.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Coventry 7.30, Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 8pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, King’s Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 18:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Somerset 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 19:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Workington 7.30
SATUDAY JUNE 20:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Plymouth 7pm, Rye House v Peterborough 7pm, Workington v Ipswich 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 21:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Ipswich 3pm, Newcastle v Plymouth 6.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Cradley 3.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Birmingham 3.30
MONDAY JUNE 22:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Lakeside v Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Glasgow 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Birmingham 7.30
