(SPEEDWAY 1)
ORGANISERS of the Grand Prix qualifier at Berwick on Saturday have turned to track covers in a bid to beat the weather.The meeting, which is regarded as the biggest event ever staged at Shielfield Park, has attracted massive interest and a bumper crowd is expected.The ambitious Premier League club have put covers down on both bends and British Speedway Chairman Alex Harkess says this could be a sign of things to come.He said: “Every effort is being made to get this meeting on and the covers are on. They’ve been placed over both bends and they are massive, there is no gap in them and hopefully the surface water will drain towards the centre of the football pitch.“I believe this is the way forward for our sport in many ways and with such a strong line-up for this meeting there should be some great racing.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
PETERBOROUGH were left relieved after edging to a narrow home win after Belle Vue having been stunned by a strong Aces start at the Showground.The visitors moved into a remarkable 18-6 lead after four races before being pegged back by an 8-1 to the Panthers in Heat 5, with the final score of 47-46 seeing the Aces emerge with a point.Panthers co-boss Jan Staechmann said: “I’ve got mixed feelings really, we pulled it out of the fire but to be in the situation of having to use a tactical ride on our home track is a bit unusual to say the least.“It could have been a lot worse, and at least we got a win out of it – it was damage limitation really.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
IPSWICH’S riders responded to a pre-meeting team talk from manager Pete Simmons and co-promoter Chris Louis – by racing to an emphatic home win over Glasgow.The Witches had recently dropped Premier League points at Foxhall but made no mistake on this occasion by running up a 64-29 victory over the reigning champions.Simmons said: “They all rode well and I have no complaints, they delivered exactly what we asked them and everyone put in 100 per cent effort and commitment.“It made a nice change this week not knowing which two riders to select for Heat 15 as they all deserved it. Now we need to keep this momentum going and start to move up the Premier League table.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD have gone second in the Northern section of the League Cup - and now have a good chance of a semi-final place following a home win over Berwick.Emiliano Sanchez was again unbeaten by an opponent as he continued his profitable spell at reserve, with Joe Haines adding paid-11 in the 54-42 victory against the Bandits, who were well-served by ex-Tigers Ricky Ashworth and Lee Complin.Sheffield boss David Hoggart said: “Once again the boys were outstanding and we have really clicked now. It was great to see the two reserves firing again, and Joe thoroughly deserved his place in Heat 15.“Emiliano is really going places now and we are absolutely delighted he has found his form. We all work together and the team spirit within the side makes such a huge difference.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY JUNE 16:GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER: Berwick 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Newcastle OFF, Rye House v Somerset 6pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Dudley (follows PL fixture), Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30EAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester Cubs v Long Eaton 7.30
SUNDAY JUNE 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 4pm, Newcastle v Leicester 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Dudley 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Northside 2pm
