BIG EVENT LATEST…
IPSWICH are celebrating their first-ever Pairs success at Premier League level after emerging victorious at Somerset last week.Witches duo Danny King and Rohan Tungate got the better of the home duo in the Final - with the Rebels suffering heartbreak in the decisive race for the second season in succession.In 2014, Nick Morris had come to grief on turn two and been disqualified to effectively end Somerset’s chances, and on this occasion it was Brady Kurtz who crashed out.That meant runners-up spot once again for the Rebels with King and Tungate roaring to a 7-2 maximum over Josh Grajczonek in the re-run.It was the first Pairs victory for Ipswich since successive triumphs in 1976/77 when they were competing at the top (British League) level.Both Finalists had won their respective groups with Ipswich defeating Redcar in the first semi-final whilst Peterborough - who had finished just a point behind the Witches in Group A - lost out to the Rebels in the second.Ipswich co-promoter Chris Louis said: “What a fantastic result. It was great to have a seven man team again on Thursday night and take a good win; winning this will lift the team even further. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season!”Somerset manager Garry May said: “Both Brady and Josh are gutted that they were unable to win the title for Somerset, but they have nothing to feel disappointed about as they gave it their best shot and can feel justifiably proud of the way they rode and represented the club.“Of course it is impossible to say what might have been if Brady hadn't have been excluded in the Final - the fact is he was, but for us to lose the Final for the second year in a row by having a rider excluded in the Final is quite unbelievable.”Meanwhile the 2015 Major Events calendar continues with the Premier League Fours at Peterborough on Sunday August 2.Qualifying teams for the event will be announced shortly, with line-ups to be made up of five riders (including a reserve) for each club.Eight of the Premier League clubs will be involved what promises to be a packed afternoon of racing at the Showground.They will be split into two groups of four for the eight-heat semi-finals, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the twelve-heat Final.
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2015:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: JASON DOYLEBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: KYLE HOWARTHBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER 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
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Berwick, Saturday September 12
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE CEO David Gordon admits a fifth home postponement of the season on Monday, when the Aces’ scheduled clash with Lakeside was rained-off, could present a major fixture headache over the coming weeks.Gordon said: “It’s unbelievably frustrating for us to be in this situation yet again. We should be well into our season at home by now but instead we’ve raced only six matches and postponed a further five.“The situation regarding suitable re-staging dates is also becoming an issue because we’re over half way through the campaign already and have very limited options available to us. This may play to our advantage, having matches in hand, but when you consider we’ve raced ten of our fourteen away matches it just goes to show how out of balance our fixture list has become.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock is mindful of the fact that the table-topping Bees need to be in top form when the play-offs come around in the autumn.Havelock said: “It’s been proved over the last ten years and more, since the play-offs have been going, that the team who tops the league doesn’t always win the title.“It’s the team who hits the play-offs in form and injury-free, and to be fair that could be four or five teams this year. But I’m not really worried about what the other teams are doing, I try to concentrate on our own team.”KING’S LYNN promoter Keith Chapman was delighted with the Stars’ dramatic televised victory over Poole last week.Robert Lambert and Niels-Kristian Iversen both made vital overtaking moves in a last-heat decider to edge the Stars to a one-point win.Chapman said: “What a great meeting for the supporters and Sky TV. We needed a result in the last and thankfully Robert and Niels came through with the points to keep our unbeaten run going at home.”LAKESIDE are back in home action at on Friday when they host Belle Vue at Purfleet, chasing a fourth successive win on their own circuit.The Hammers’ hopes of notching their first away win of the season were frustrated by the weather on Monday with their trip to Belle Vue rained off, and they also visit Poole on Wednesday.LEICESTER are hoping to welcome Josh Auty back to their reserve berth in the near future, but the news is not so good over Grzegorz Walasek.The Polish star is out with a broken collarbone, which is now his third injury of a season where he has been short on fortune.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “Josh has told me he is close to a return and is due to have the pins removed from his hand on Wednesday, but we face a lengthy spell without Grzegorz again who has been so unlucky with injuries which have completely wrecked his season.”POOLE promoter Matt Ford insists finishing top of the Elite League table remains an important target as the Pirates work to reel in current leaders Coventry.Ford said: “Whilst making the play-offs is the first target we mustn't lose sight of that top spot so we can choose opponents, and so had we gained some extra points from those last two matches it would have been very useful.“What it means is that we cannot afford to let many more points slip as there is a gap between us and Coventry developing and they don't look like easing up any, as you would expect.”SWINDON bounced back to winning ways with a big home victory over Wolverhampton - in the perfect response to their televised defeat at Leicester three days earlier.Boss Alun Rossiter said: “We were very poor at Leicester but all the boys picked themselves back up and got the job done.“It was great to get Lewis Rose firing too; Troy (Batchelor) lent him an engine and he was certainly much more on the pace. It was a great night of speedway on a beautiful evening and we managed to get a super result too!”WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten admitted the form of American star Ricky Wells was the only positive to take from a 32-60 defeat at Swindon last Thursday.Van Straaten said: “It wasn’t the best of starts for us, and we were on the back foot from the very start. I think we’ve caught Swindon on a night where they know somebody is on the way out and are all keen to impress to keep their jobs.“We are very low on confidence, and the only bright spark really was Ricky Wells who I thought rode superbly.”PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK are looking to gain ground on the Premier League’s top five when they host Peterborough in front of the TV cameras on Wednesday.Co-Promoter Dennis McCleary said: “Having Sky Sports here again for the third year running is a dream and I’m so pleased for my colleagues and all the volunteers who make speedway possible at Berwick.“We can put this one on for the world to see and it has the making of a classic contest.”EDINBURGH were unable to defend their Premier League Pairs Crown as they crashed out in the group stages.Sam Masters dropped just two points but German rider Kevin Wolbert endured a tough night.The Monarchs are back in team action this Friday when they host Sheffield in a crucial match at the top of the league.GLASGOW put themselves in a strong position last week after a 14-point victory in their first leg League Cup tie at home to Sheffield.It was an incident packed meeting but the Scottish Tigers were inspired by a paid seventeen-point haul from Richard Lawson.The Ashfield outfit will now be looking to bolster their play-off bid with a home win against Workington this Sunday.IPSWICH backed up an impressive 56-35 home win over Plymouth on Thursday by getting their hands on the Premier League Pairs title the following night.Skipper Danny King and Rohan Tungate were the victorious duo who led the Witches to Pairs glory for the first time since 1977.Co-Promoter Chris Louis said: “It was great to have a seven man team again on Thursday and take a good win, but winning the Pairs will lift the team even further – I’m looking forward to the rest of the season!”NEWCASTLE will be looking to extend their recent good form with two matches in two days this weekend.The Diamonds have picked up a pair of comfortable wins in their last two home meetings but still have work to do if they are to reach the end of season play-offs.Newcastle travel to Workington on Saturday before entertaining Sheffield the following evening.PETERBOROUGH got back to winning ways on Sunday and climbed to within two-points of the top of the league after a 51-41 home win against Redcar.Panthers boss Carl Johnson said: “The riders were well aware they needed to deliver a response and that is exactly what they did.“The crowd deserved a good performance and they got one.”PLYMOUTH are hoping to be back at full strength for their Knockout Cup Quarter Final matches against Somerset this weekend.The Devils are set to see the return of reserve Roland Benko at the Oaktree Arena on Friday before the deciding, home second leg the following night.Co-Promoter Ashley Taylor said: “There are enough riders in our team who can go well at Somerset and we will be looking to keep the scores tight in the first leg in preparation for our home leg 24-hours later.”REDCAR moved off the bottom of the Premier League with a 49-41 home win over fellow strugglers Scunthorpe on Thursday.Bears Team Manager Jitendra Duffill told The Gazette: “They kept us on our toes all meeting and they really made us work hard for it.“But it was a much improved performance and we do seem to have turned the corner somewhat.”RYE HOUSE have signed former German Under-21 star Danny Maassen to replace the injured Steve Boxall.Rockets Team Manager John Sampford said: “We desperately need to get back to fielding a full seven man side and Danny’s signing pushes us in that direction.“Danny is very, very keen to impress and, needless to say, we’re very keen to see him progress and show us what he is capable of.”SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey says attendance levels at their remaining seven home Premier League fixtures this season are critical to the future of the club.Said Godfrey: “Whether we’re finished as a club, I don’t know; I don’t want this to be our last season, but I have to say we’re fighting for survival now.“I need to know that people still want speedway in Scunthorpe and that we’re going to get the level of support we need to make it viable to continue.” SHEFFIELD have booked 2015 British Grand Prix wildcard Craig Cook to guest at No.1 against Berwick on Thursday.Tigers Co-Promoter Damien Bates said: “Craig did well in Cardiff and we’re delighted to welcome him into the Sheffield side for this guest appearance.“We remain serious about keeping our season going and pushing for the Premier League play-offs.”SOMERSET face three big meetings in consecutive days as they travel to Redcar in the Premier League on Thursday before both legs of their League Cup tie against Plymouth.Rebels Team Manager Garry May said: “We go to Redcar looking to pick up some points but if we can better the point that Edinburgh won on their recent visit then that will do us very nicely!“We’ll see what Friday night brings us and take it from there when we go back down to Plymouth the following evening.WORKINGTON are aiming for back-to-back wins when they face both Newcastle and Glasgow this weekend.Comets Team Manager Tony Jackson said: “Although we defeated them (Newcastle) by sixteen-points in the early season Ian Thomas Shield, I expect a much closer contest this time around.“Glasgow is a place where we have generally done well down the years but the Tigers are a very different proposition this season; they’ll be two very entertaining matches in prospect for our supporters.”CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…
BIRMINGHAM have pulled off a major coup with the temporary signing of former British Under 21 Champion Josh Bates.The all-action Bates will step in injured skipper Tom Perry, who crashed out of the Brummies’ win over Mildenhall last week and suffered a broken hand.Boss Graham Drury said: “Tom could be out for anything between two-to-four weeks and we've got some important meetings coming up.“I could have used rider replacement for Tom, however I feel a lot more comfortable having made a short-term signing as it doesn't add any pressure on the rest of the team.“Josh is a rider I've watched progress over the last few years and he fits the ethos of Birmingham Speedway perfectly; he's young, keen, enthusiastic and he's got a lot of potential too.“I must emphasise that this is a temporary signing and no matter how well Josh does for us over the next few weeks, as soon as Tom feels he is fit and ready to ride, we will re-declare our team once again.”BUXTON are pondering their options after discovering Adam Extance has been carrying a serious knee injury throughout the campaign.Hitmen promotor Jayne Moss revealed to the Speedway Star: “It’s no secret that Adam has been struggling somewhat this year after some good scores in his first season last year.“It was a bit of a shock when Adam told us he has been riding with a knee injury all season to be honest, as he has apparently snapped three of the four ligaments in his right knee and requires surgery to repair them.“Obviously now Adam has told us about his injury we need to do what’s right for the team as a whole. Unfortunately we don’t feel we can carry an injured rider long-term, especially as the injury isn’t something that is going to fix itself in time.” COVENTRY Storm boss Laurence Rogers felt his side were unlucky to leave a closely contested encounter at Kent empty handed following a 48-41 defeat on Monday.Rogers said: “It was a good performance really and we were unlucky not to get something, but we really missed Conor (Dwyer). “Rider replacement worked well for us with nine points, but we had two tapes exclusions, a plug lead go for Marty (Knuckey), and a couple of falls as well.“It was good for Jamie (Halder) to start with a win in his first ride, it was another fantastic performance from Dan (Greenwood), and the referee got the decisions absolutely right. It’s so close but so far, but we’re still up there and we’ll bounce back.” CRADLEY have handed No.8 Tyler Govier a further opportunity to impress in their clash with Stoke at Perry Barr on Wednesday (7.30).The Heathens have made the decision to rest Luke Harris for the visit of the Potters as he aims to overcome a tough spell, with Govier stepping in to fill his role after making his debut against Birmingham a fortnight ago.Team boss Will Pottinger explained: “Luke’s confidence is pretty low at the moment, so we’ve taken the decision to give him a rest on Wednesday. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it’s entirely a temporary measure and we are picking the team meeting by meeting.“It gives Tyler Govier another chance to impress, and we hope that he can make the most of the opportunity to help us beat Stoke on Wednesday.“We need three points to try and get some momentum back and close the gap on Birmingham at the top of the National League table.” EASTBOURNE have made a temporary team change with Gary Cottham replacing youngster Kelsey Dugard at reserve.Cottham will take the place of Dugard as he overcomes a long-standing knee injury, and club director Connor Dugard is backing the 25 year old to have a big impact for the Eagles. Dugard said: “I’ve been told by many people that have ridden with Gary that he will give you 110% and that it has only been his equipment that has really halted his development.”“Gary I believe is a very raw talent but with the guidance from my Dad and all of the team’s help I can’t see why we can’t make this cover for Kelsey work. “Seeing the aggression he put into yesterday’s rides and the fitness he’s taken up over the past few weeks, it is a breath of fresh air for myself and my Dad having someone as keen as Gary wanting to race.”KENT ace Danny Ayres says he is pleased with the progress he has made since taking up the shale sport at the start of last season.And although he is desperate for more track time, he believes he is moving in the right direction. The Kings favourite told Speedway Star: “It’s been going well for me and I feel I can beat anyone in this league on my day, it’s just about getting set-ups right.“Unfortunately it’s difficult to test bikes as we can’t practice at Central Park during the week. I’m only racing once a week and I need more meetings.“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with where I am at the moment though, I’ve come a long way in a short space of time.” KING’S LYNN boss Dale Allitt says his side are determined to end Birmingham’s dominant run on Wednesday.The Young Stars will welcome the table-topping Brummies to the Adrian Flux Arena, and although he knows they will face a stern test, Allitt is hoping to see them emerge with a victory.He said: “Birmingham are at the top of the table for a reason and we know Wednesday will be tough. Having said that, we want to win and the boys are up for it.”MILDENHALL drew 45-45 with Eastbourne in a fiercely contested National Trophy clash at West Row on Sunday.Fine performances from Dan Halsey and Connor Mountain – backed up by another promising display from reserve Tom Bacon – were not enough to see the Fen Tigers edge victory.Instead they were forced to settle for a draw as they ran into an Eagles side led by a faultless maximum from Bradley Wilson-Dean.RYE HOUSE star Kyle Hughes was thrilled to see his side condemn Eastbourne to their first National Trophy defeat on June 27. Hughes led the Rockets to a hard-fought 47-43 triumph at Hoddesdon, and he told Speedway Star: “The win was the best thing, credit to the Eastbourne fans they really get behind their team but to be fair they’ve slagged us off a little bit in the past.“Like any sport, speedway gets a bit heated sometimes but we know we are a good side and we really feel we’re good enough to beat anyone when everyone gels like they did against Eastbourne.” STOKE ace Shaun Tedham was delighted to enjoy an excellent return from his injury lay-off against Birmingham on June 27. Tedham notched paid 12 from reserve as he made his comeback from a broken arm which has ruled him out since May 10.And he told Speedway Star: “My arm feels a bit weak but I couldn’t be happier with the way the meeting went. “To be honest, I could have done with a practice on the Thursday which I thought was going to happen but didn’t, so I’ve come in feet first really. Having said that, I managed fairly well considering and would have been happy with five or six points. “There was some bruising racing out that, but I handled it and held my own from the starts and in the first turns despite having six rides.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JULY 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Peterborough 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Stoke 7.30, King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30, Sheffield v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 10:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Peterborough 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30CHALLENGE: King’s Lynn v Team Fritte 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Newcastle 7pmTRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Rye House v Berwick 5pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3.30
MONDAY JULY 13:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30CUP OF DENMARK: Kent v Team Fritte 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 15:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Kent 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Workington 7.15, Scunthorpe v Ipswich 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Rye House v Glasgow 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Eastbourne 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Berwick 3pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Coventry 3.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Buxton v King’s Lynn 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Rye House 3.30
MONDAY JULY 20:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Glasgow 7.30THE LAURELS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 22:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Buxton 7.30
