BIG EVENT LATEST... SCOTT Nicholls insists he would love to ride in the British Grand Prix at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in July - and his journey starts in Sheffield! Nicholls, who dipped out of the Grand Prix series after a miserable 2009 campaign, is back on top form after a string of brilliant outings for Elite League club Ipswich.
And Owlerton fans will get a rare chance to see one of the nation's top stars do battle on a track he likes when he does battle with the likes of Grand Prix star Tai Woffinden and Sheffield duo Ricky Ashworth and Richard Hall.
It promises to be a spectacular night of racing with eight places up for grabs at the British Final at Wolves on June 14 - and the top rider from that meeting who isn't in the current GP series will get the nod for Cardiff as wildcard.
Said Nicholls: "I'm looking forward to riding at Sheffield again, it's a good track and a good venue. I haven't had chance to race there much during my career because they're in the Premier League but it's a nice stadium and a very professional organisation there. "I'm confident I can go there and give it a good go. I feel confident of qualifying from the top eight and then we'll see what happens in the British Final. "This year I want my British title back and I want to ride at Cardiff to test how far I've come after a disappointing 2009. It was a poor year for me but this year I have a different attitude and I'm smiling again and enjoying my racing."
Nicholls was widely regarded as Great Britain's best bet for a future World Champion in his younger days and his spectacular all-action style will make him well worth watching around Owlerton.
But he admits he isn't sure whether he will bid to become a fully-fledged member of he SGP series again.
"I really can't say at this stage, I might just be happy riding domestically and enjoying my league racing, or as the year goes on I might realise how much I miss the Grand Prix," he said.
"I'm just taking some time out and enjoying my racing with Ipswich and hopefully I can go to Sheffield and get through and then have a good British Final. I might not be in the Grand Prix but I've still got plenty of targets to go for." BRITISH SEMI-FINAL DRAW: SHEFFIELD (Thursday, May 6): Danny King (Ipswich), Scott Nicholls (Ipswich), James Wright (Belle Vue), Jason Bunyan (Stoke), Robert Mear (Unattached), Andrew Tully (Edinburgh), Jordan Frampton (Rye House), Andre Compton (Workington), William Lawson (Belle Vue), Ben Barker (Coventry), Tai Woffinden (Wolverhampton), Stuart Robson (Lakeside), Oliver Allen (Ipswich), Richard Hall (Sheffield), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), David Howe (Scunthorpe). KING'S LYNN (Wednesday, May 12): Lee Richardson (Unattached), Chris Harris (Coventry), Simon Stead (Swindon), Lewis Bridger (Peterborough), James Grieves (Glasgow), Paul Clews (Berwick), Leigh Lanham (Newport and Belle Vue), Adam Roynon (Workington), Chris Schramm (Workington), Joe Haines (King's Lynn and Wolverhampton), Ben Wilson (Redcar), Paul Hurry (Lakeside), Chris Neath (Rye House), Jason King (Newcastle), Carl Wilkinson (Scunthorpe), Eddie Kennett (Coventry). ELITE LEAGUE LATEST... BELLE VUE star James Wright continued his terrific start to the season with a first-ever maximum at Elite League level in the Aces' comfortable home win over Lakeside. Wright said: "I have been working to improve my starts and they were good all night. It is such a boost when you can do that. "I am really enjoying my partnership with Hans (Andersen). We've only had a few meetings together so far but we are looking out for each other in races." COVENTRY finally gained their first Elite League win of the season at the eighth attempt with victory over Lakeside at Brandon - and they now look forward to the debut of Polish youngster Przemyslaw Pawlicki against Wolverhampton on Friday. Edward Kennett, who stood in for Chris Harris as captain, said: "We really needed the win, and it was a great team performance. The boys got stuck in, and bringing Richard (Sweetman) in certainly worked because he was a fantastic reserve. "We've all been down on confidence and that's such a big thing. You've got to be high, and this time we were all trapping, unlike at Poole when we were half-asleep and it wasn't interesting. " EASTBOURNE co-promoter Mike Bellerby is urging the Eagles fans to create a big-night atmosphere when their improving side face Peterborough in an attractive-looking fixture at Arlington on Wednesday. Bellerby said: "We have been heartened by the improved performances of late. We have invested much hard work and effort in getting the Eagles off the ground in 2010 and we are delighted that the lads seem to have turned the corner results-wise and have started to look a match for anyone "With the Sky Sports cameras in residence, we are only too aware that there is a temptation for some people, especially in these tough economic times, to put their feet up in front of the television and watch the action from the comfort of their home. But we really do need you here with us packing the terraces." LAKESIDE will be keen to address their away form after going down 57-38 at Belle Vue - the Hammers hardly being helped by the loss of skipper Adam Shields, who was concussed in a first ride fall. The Purfleet club had also gone down 53-40 at Coventry, but in between the two defeats on the road they recorded a comfortable 55-40 home win over Swindon with each Hammers rider paid for at least eight points. IPSWICH manager Pete Simmons has issued a warning to his riders, his frustration mainly coming from last Monday's heavy home defeat at Belle Vue. Simmons said: "A team place at Ipswich is no longer a job for the season. And the riders need to know that. Years ago, riders may have thought a team place at Ipswich was secure for the season whatever happened. But that's not the case now. "We've got a fantastic track producing brilliant racing and the crowds are up. But they want to see a winning team, we know that. And we won't put up with many more performances like the one against Belle Vue." PETERBOROUGH star Kenneth Bjerre was disappointed to miss out on a place in the Final at the season-opening European Grand Prix on Saturday. Bjerre, who returns to action with the Panthers at Eastbourne on Wednesday, said: "I know I could have done a lot better and I am really disappointed not to make it into the final. I want to be riding in the big races on a regular basis so I'm not happy that I didn't make it. "I didn't get enough points during the heats and that left me with only gate three or four for the semi. That is where I lost out." POOLE remain the Elite League's early pace-setters having added a second away win of the season at Ipswich last Thursday. Skipper Davey Watt was the Pirates' last-heat hero as he kept Ipswich star Scott Nicholls at bay to win Heat 15 and clinch a 46-44 triumph. The Pirates missed out on taking any points from a meeting for the first time this season when they went down 50-43 at Wolverhampton, Watt just losing out to Nicolai Klindt in the last race as he tried to salvage a point. SWINDON star Simon Stead kept up his good run with a full maximum against former club Belle Vue as the Robins gained a comfortable home win, with Leigh Adams also unbeaten. Stead said: "I'm thrilled, really thrilled. It's a reward for all the hard work both me, my dad, Del (Rowe, mechanic) and our engine tuners have put in. I wasn't satisfied with the start to the season so we've tried two different setups, both at Belle Vue and tonight, and both have worked perfectly. "It's always nice to have a good individual performance but we've got to remember it is a team sport and we got all the points, which is the most important thing." WOLVERHAMPTON No.1 Freddie Lindgren headed up an impressive team effort by dropping just one point from five rides as the reigning champions overcame this year's title favourites Poole in a thriller at Monmore Green. Lindgren said: "All our team worked very hard and the result is very pleasing for us. If we can get all three points against Poole on our own track then we can get all three points against any team around there so we have to be positive. "And the track was good, it allowed us to put on a good show for the crowd. Poole are very strong and I can understand why people fancy them for the title, but we have done the business against them." PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST... BERWICK boss Dave Peet was in philosophical mood after seeing the Bandits miss out on topping their Premier Trophy group as Newcastle took the big share of the points from their home and away weekend battles. Peet said: "Newcastle were the better team on the night and seemed to have a stronger desire to make the semis, and best of luck to them. We still have a chance of getting into the next round, but it's now wholly dependant on the actions of several other teams." BIRMINGHAM reserve Justin Sedgmen has a big target for the year as he prepares to move into the top five of the side after his early-season points bonanza. Sedgmen said: "I want to be the number one at the end of the season, I know Johno (Steve Johnston) and Jason (Lyons) will have something to say about that but that's what my target it. As long as I stay fit and keep training hard and put everything into my racing I believe I can do it." EDINBURGH boss John Campbell could not contain his anger after seeing his side lose any chance of reaching the Premier Trophy semi-finals with a nine-point home reverse at the hands of Glasgow. Campbell said: "I'm very disappointed with our performance, one team came along and were prepared to race, and one team came along to watch, it's obvious which is which. We need our riders to perform and we need the equipment to be right when they turn up here." GLASGOW enjoyed one of their best results in recent years with a 52-43 away win at fierce rivals Edinburgh - their biggest-ever win at Armadale. Skipper Lee Dicken said: "Having been involved with the team for several years now, I appreciate what these matches mean and we have rarely held the upper hand so this one was very exciting for me and the rest of the boys. We are definitely gelling well as a team and that can be seen with everyone chipping in. KING'S LYNN are still in with a chance of reaching the Premier Trophy semi-finals, and need to take maximum points from Wednesday's home clash with Somerset to confirm second place in the group. Team boss Rob Lyon said: "We have been hit with a lot of bad luck lately suffering a few injuries, but if we manage to pull this out of the bag then it will be a big boost for us and the fans. Hopefully by the time the semi finals arrive the team will be back to full strength and we can give defending the title our best shot!". NEWCASTLE overcame the absence of Danish duo Kenni Larsen and Rene Bach to book their place in the Premier Trophy semi-finals by taking five points from their weekend clashes with Berwick. Manager George English said: "After all the hard work we've put into the Trophy this season it's a suitable achievement to get into the semis and with a match to spare. Well deserved, and now we must continue this form into the league, which gets underway in earnest next week." NEWPORT manager Kevin Brown is desperate to iron out inconsistency in the Wasps camp after they slipped to a shock home defeat in their Premier League opener against Redcar. Brown said: "I am extremely disappointed to lose this match, and there are no excuses from me. We will look at the riding order again, and maybe change it for next Sunday. The team have proved what a force they can be, and it's so frustrating." REDCAR enjoyed the perfect start to their Premier League campaign with a 48-42 win at Newport - and now boss Brian Havelock is calling on the Bears to get it right at home, where they have suffered several defeats early in the season. Havelock said: "'We needed a result like that and we got it. We must now make that performance the springboard for further consistency and success. Edinburgh will be tough opponents on Thursday so an intriguing contest is in prospect." RYE HOUSE star Jordan Frampton emerged remarkably unscathed from a horror smash at Somerset, in which he went over the safety fence, and raced on to a maximum as the Rockets won to book their place in the Premier Trophy semi-finals. Manager John Sampford said: "It was a magnificent result. We couldn't ask for more really; every lad fought all the way for every point. It's what we've been wanting to do - to qualify for the semi-final phase, and hopefully then the final." SCUNTHORPE are battling through an injury crisis with Joel Parsons out for three months with two broken vertebrae, Viktor Bergstrom suffering burns to his hand and leg, and David Howe riding through the pain barrier with a shoulder problem. Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: "Three of our lads are in a bad way and it is just awful to see. However, there is some slightly more encouraging news about Viktor and David so hopefully we'll soon have them back firing on all cylinders." SHEFFIELD No.1 Ricky Ashworth has vowed to race through his crisis of confidence - as team-mate Paul Cooper deputises as Tigers captain. Ashworth said: "I'm struggling for consistency with Sheffield, and it's doing my head in. I'm looking at my set-up, but it's not happening for me and I have to work hard to get it right as quickly as possible. That's speedway, and I have to work my way through this." SOMERSET have been rocked by the departure of winter signing Steve Boxall, who quit the club via a brief text message on the day of their match against Rye House - which resulted in a rare home defeat. Co-promoter Mark Saunders said: "The club has provided him with equipment and a van, as well as team kevlars, and gave him a team place when no one else seemingly wanted him, and we are repaid in this way. "Boxall has the talent to be a top quality rider in the Premier League, as he showed on the few occasions that he did ride for the Rebels, but is totally lacking in the professionalism that the Somerset Rebels expect of anyone who rides for the club." STOKE battled to an unlikely 44-44 draw with Scunthorpe despite the loss of reserve sensation Taylor Poole in his second ride - offering boss Malcolm Vasey hope for improved fortunes in the weeks ahead. Vasey said: "I'm really pleased for all the lads tonight, it was a real battling performance from them out there. There is a chance that Jason Bunyan will be back next week and I'm confident Taylor will be OK, and we'll see what happens over the next seven days." WORKINGTON boss Ian Thomas feels his team are nicely set-up for the start of their Premier League campaign after a 10-point win over Glasgow on Saturday. Thomas said: "Craig (Cook) was absolutely magnificent. I am quite happy with the win and it was even better to get all three points. I don't make predictions about any matches but I have got to be happy with winning ahead of the Premier League season." NATIONAL LEAGUE action continues and you can find all relevant news, reports and other information in the NL section on speedwaygb.com .
FIXTURE PICTURE... THURSDAY APRIL 29: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v King's Lynn 7.45 BILLY SANDERS MEMORIAL: Ipswich 7.30 FRIDAY APRIL 30: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pm, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Plymouth v Newport 7.30 SATURDAY MAY 1: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Stoke v Workington 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30, Rye House v Dudley 7pm, NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Newport v Plymouth 2.30 SUNDAY MAY 2: PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Berwick 6.30pm, Newport v Newcastle 2.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Glasgow v King's Lynn 4pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Buxton v Mildenhall 3pm MONDAY MAY 3: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Peterborough 2.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 6pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Newport 6.30, Rye House v Berwick 2pm, Scunthorpe v Somerset 6pm, Workington v Stoke 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v King's Lynn (follows PL fixture), Scunthorpe v Dudley (follows PL fixture) TUESDAY MAY 4: NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Isle of Wight v Weymouth 7.30 WEDNESDAY MAY 5: PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Birmingham v Sheffield 7.30, 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v Newport 7.30 THURSDAY MAY 6: BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.45 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30 FRIDAY MAY 7: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v King's Lynn 7.30, Somerset v Workington 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Buxton 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Weymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15 SATURDAY MAY 8: PREMIER LEAGUE: Workington v Redcar 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Berwick v Newport 7pm, 2nd leg: Rye House v Edinburgh 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v King's Lynn 2.30 SUNDAY MAY 9: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 4pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30, Newport v Berwick 2.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Buxton 4pm MONDAY MAY 10: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Lakeside 7.30 TUESDAY MAY 11: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Mildenhall (at Wolverhampton) 7.30 WEDNESDAY MAY 12: BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: King's Lynn 7.30 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.30
