(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET have confirmed an early 4pm opening of turnstiles for this Fridays eagerly-awaited Premier League Pairs.The parade will be at 7.10pm with the first race at 7.30pm, with ten of the thirteen PL clubs represented. Jason Doyle and James Wright are the men looking to end the Rebels wait for the silverware.Promoter Debbie Hancock said: It says something about the track here at Somerset in that we have yet to win the Pairs despite the fact we have staged the event here for the past five seasons.Looking at the calibre of rider that will be lining up here on Friday night, it is going to take a brave person to predict this years winners. But irrespective of who ultimately lifts the trophy at the end of the night, I am sure the real winners will be the fans who I certain will be treated to a night of great speedway action.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
PLAY-OFF chasing Lakeside, Kings Lynn and Birmingham all have vital away fixtures in the Elite League on Monday evening.The fourth-placed Hammers travel to Coventry, who are set to welcome back skipper Chris Harris after injury, and admission prices have been reduced to 10 for adults with children free for the televised fixture.Should Lakeside slip up, Birminghamsix points behind the Purfleet clubcan gain ground with a win in their local derby at Wolverhampton.And Kings Lynn remain in the hunt with seven matches to go, as they head for Belle Vue with Niels-Krisitan Iversen back from a recent knee injury.(SPEEDWAY 3)MILDENHALL won the opening battle of the National Leagues top two sides with a 53-36 victory over Dudley at West Row on Sunday.The clubs are now level at the top of the table with three league matches remaining ahead of the play-offs, and they meet again at Monmore Green on Tuesday.Fen Tigers boss Rob Henry said: It was a terrific result for us and the boys did brilliantly in a difficult atmosphere. I don't care what anybody says, both teams had key riders missing and when I looked at the line-ups before the meeting, I was convinced it was going to be a lot closer. But we dug deep, showed we weren't afraid, and got the result we deserved. With Lewis (Blackbird) back on Tuesday I see no reason why we shouldn't run them close or win, even if they have got their full strength team out.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
TOM Brennan was crowned British 125cc Champion after a highly successful event at Eastbourne on Saturday.The 11-year-old from Swindon was joined on the rostrum by Ben Woodhull and Kyle Bickley after a thrilling Final race.British Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher said: Tom made a hash of the start, and got squeezed out of the first turn, with Jack P Blackburn and Ben tussling for the lead, with Kyle also having a go around the outside. After one lap, Ben was the clear leader, Kyle had passed Jack, and Tom was getting ready to make his move at the back.You will not see a better race anywhere all year at any level, as Tom made his move and in the next three laps got himself to the front, as he somehow passed Ben with one lap to go, squeezing down the outside of him down the home straight to the delight of all his family, and without doubt he was the deserved winner.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
STOKE overcame the withdrawal of Ben Reade to pick up a win from their opening National Trophy fixture at Buxton.Reade crashed out in Heat 7 and suffered a knee injury and the Hitmen led by a point going into the last race, but Ashley Birks and Simon Lambert secured a match-clinching 5-1.Potters boss Malcolm Vasey said: All credit to the lads, they really battled hard with the two reserves taking fourteen rides between them, and yet people are saying we are a Premier League team. I find it quite remarkable that people are saying that, and I don't know what people want from Stoke.The loss of Ben was a bitter blow and we hope the injury is just severe swelling and nothing more. Ben is going to his local hospital in Swindon, his knee is very large but he does appear to be able to move it so I am optimistic that he will be okay.
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY AUGUST 20:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Kings Lynn 7.30, Coventry v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 21:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Mildenhall 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Plymouth 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Kings Lynn 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Plymouth 7.45JASON LYONS FAREWELL: Birmingham 7.30JOHN BERRY TRIBUTE: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Peterborough 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset 7.30
