(SPEEDWAY 1)
KING’S Lynn will aim to secure their play-off place when they race the final home match of their Elite League campaign against Birmingham on Wednesday.The Stars stated before the season that a top-four finish in their first year back in the top-flight would be one of the club’s greatest achievements.Co-promoter Jonathan Chapman said: “To make the move up into one of the world’s toughest leagues and have a debut season like we have had is what dreams are made of, and everyone at the club is so excited about being within touching distance of a place in the play-offs. “It would be our biggest achievement to date, and when you bear in mind that we won the Premier League title in 2006 and 2009 along with the KO Cup in four out of our last five seasons that is a big statement. I hope all our fans come along to enjoy the moment and give us as much support as possible, it would be great to show the world what a great club we are on the terraces as well as the track.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SOMERSET’S Christian Hefenbrock suffered a broken tibia and fibula in a crash at Scunthorpe on Sunday.The German rider, who has also played a part for Poole in the Elite League this season, came to grief in his third ride at the Eddie Wright Raceway, with Scunthorpe winning the meeting 49-41.Rebels manager Steve Bishop said: “It is a cruel blow for Christian. He was having a superb meeting with two excellent wins to his name when this happened. “Ironically he had just come back after suffering another injury and was looking in excellent form. Obviously the thoughts of everyone associated with the club are with Christian as we wish him a speedy recovery.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
REDCAR No.1 Jason Lyons is out for the rest of the season after suffering a triple fracture to his femur.Veteran Australian Lyons crashed out in his second ride at Glasgow on Sunday, a match which was won 62-30 by the league leaders.Redcar promoter Brian Havelock said: “This is a devastating blow for both rider and club. Easier said than done but I would prefer to sign another rider rather than use guests and I am urgently considering the options available. “Our next league match is away at Scunthorpe on Friday so time is of the essence.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BELLE Vue Colts blasted into the National League play-off zone with a double victory over leaders Stoke and King's Lynn at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Sunday afternoon.They took the maximum six points up for grabs to go fourth in the table and they will qualify for the play-offs if they can maintain that position with the next chance coming with a home match against Newport on Wednesday.Local boys Jason Garrity and Kyle Howarth kept up their impressive form with 25 and 23 points respectively across the two matches – whilst captain Byron Bekker picked up paid-22 after falling four times against Hackney four days earlier.Belle Vue Operations Director Chris Morton said: “I told him he was a better rider than suggested by that showing against Hackney. I said he should relax and trust in his ability. He is a steady rider but he had to stop making silly mistakes.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
MILDENHALL are confirmed qualifiers for the National League play-offs after overcoming both Newport and the weather at West Row on Sunday.The meeting was delayed for an hour due to heavy rain but the Fen Tigers raced to a 60-36 win with a solid all-round performance from their six-man side using rider-replacement for the injured Cameron Heeps.Co-promoter Michael Lee said: “I'm proud of all the boys, including Newport, who went out and gave it a go despite the tricky conditions. Referee Chris Gay also deserves praise for being patient and allowing us the time needed to get the track ready, and the fans were superb as well, showing incredible patience while we sorted things out.“It'll be interesting to see who we end up facing. It looks like Stoke will be able to pick their opposition, but I truthfully don't envy them that decision, as anyone who finishes in the top four is capable of winning the play-offs.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v King’s Lynn 7.30, Isle of Wight v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Newport 8pm
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.45 JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Plymouth v Newcastle 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30
