BIG EVENT LATEST
ALL three domestic leagues will be staging their Riders Championships during the closing weeks of the season.A busy programme of major events will be concluded at Swindon on October 20 when the Robins host the ELRC, and that follows on from the PLRC at Sheffield on September 23.Rory Schlein and Sam Masters took the honours in last seasons meetings, which remain at the same venues with Owlerton the well-established home of the PLRC.BSPA Major Events co-ordinator David Hoggart said: These are our flagship meetings with great crowds, fantastic atmospheres and some of the best facilities in the sport.Rory Schleins last-to-first win of the ELRC last year was one of the best races I have seen. Having been boxed out on the first corner he rode like a man possessed to nick it on the line and send the crowd wild.It is those races that remind us just why we got into the sport at the outsetand without question there will be more superb action to come.The National League also have their big individual night, which will take place at Rye House on September 29 as the top men from the third tier do battle.*TOM Brennan was crowned British 125cc Champion after a highly successful event at Eastbourne.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.It was a hotly contested meeting with some fantastic races, and all 12 riders gave their all proving that British Speedway has a very bright future.*PETERBOROUGH star Michael Jepsen Jensen moved to the top of the World Under-21 Final standings with a 15-point maximum in the third round at Coventry.Jepsen Jensen now holds a three point lead over fellow Dane Mikkel B Jensen who finished third on the night, with former home rider Przemyslaw Pawlicki also on the rostrum in second.Previous series leader Maciej Janowski scored ten, a total matched by impressive GB Wild Card Kyle Newman, whilst Tom Perry also took credit for scoring in every ride.Jepsen Jensen, looking at the big picture of the overall series, said: Nothing is won yet, but its good to win with 15 points although winning the rounds themselves is not necessary, you have to be on top at the end. But its nice to be leading by three points, so Im happy.
SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES:BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOE HAINESPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: BERWICKBRITISH FINAL: SCOTT NICHOLLSPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday August 24PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 23ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, Saturday October 20
NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENT DATES:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: MILDENHALLNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke, Sunday August 26NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Saturday September 29
BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL: AUSTRALIAGRAND PRIX QUALIFIER: CHRIS HARRISWORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: MICHAEL JEPSEN JENSEN
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST
BELLE VUE boss Jason Attwood admits the broken wrist suffered by in-form Craig Cook is a huge blow to the Aces at this stage of the season.Attwood said: Craig has been riding as a heat leader in recent weeks, and hed developed a particularly powerful partnership with Rory Schlein at the top of the team.When Craig phoned me on Saturday, my heart just sank. There isnt a great deal we can do but it is a big blow, his form for us has just been outstanding.BIRMINGHAM star Ben Barker says the Brummies must come up with some big results in the coming weeks to make up for Mondays disappointing defeat at Wolverhampton.Barker said: We were bitterly disappointed with the defeat. We came here to get a result so we aren't pleased to be going home empty handed.It is going to be tough to make the play-offs now but we are just going to have to dig deep and get some results where were not expected to.COVENTRY reserve Aaron Summers piled up an impressive paid-14 in the Bees 60-31 win over Lakeside, which was their biggest victory of the season.Summers said: That was my best meeting so far. I made a bit of a mistake in my first ride and it was hard to catch up, but we changed the set-up a bit, went back to what we had at the start of the year and it was good.It was a good team performance, and probably the first time weve had everyone on form. Weve missed that, weve had one or two riders struggling or being out, and a night like tonight shows we can do it.EASTBOURNE enjoyed a positive weekend for their play-off prospects by gaining a point from a narrow defeat at Lakeside, and then running up a 61-point total against Wolverhampton at Arlington.Manager Trevor Geer said: It has proved a difficult week with all the injuries and finding suitable guests. We got a good point at Lakeside and another valuable three points here, so I think we can count that as good weekend for the Eagles. With only one match remaining here at Arlington, we know that we will need to pick up more points on the road if we are to progress to the play-offs, but on the evidence of the last two performances I believe we are capable of doing just that.KINGS LYNN boss Rob Lyon knows another win over Belle Vue this week will move his side closer to the Elite League play-off zone.Lyon said: If we can get another three league points on the board well see where that takes us.Weve got a good chance and have got a team capable of doing a job, but they have all got to do it at the same time.LAKESIDE manager Neil Vatcher has praised the efforts of reserve Justin Sedgmen, who is now concentrating on Elite League racing after recently losing his place at Redcar.Vatcher said: The boy is riding really well for us, hes enjoying his racing. He loves it here, and he wants to ride in the Elite League.Hes got confidence at the moment and weve all seen on track just what a good rider he can be week in and week out at Lakesidelong may it continue.PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Trevor Swales says his side wont be under-estimating the challenge provided by Kings Lynn and Coventry in their next two home matches.Swales said: Kings Lynn are going to be very toughthey have Niels-Kristian Iversen who is fit again and he knows the quick way around the Showground, and there are a lot of others in their team too, like Ulrich (Ostergaard), who can also be good here. We have to be careful. Then its Coventry, who seem to be better away than they are at home at the moment. Theyve run some other teams very close, and been unlucky not to win quite a few.POOLE promoter Matt Ford is pleased with recent displays from his second-strings and reserves as the reigning champions move closer to confirming their place in the play-offs.Ford said: We saw the impact Dennis Anderssons 15 point performance made last week to the team and if he can continue somewhere near that form then we will have one of the most feared top four riders in the top flight.I have been encouraged too with the way Linus (Eklof) has settled into the side and Ricky (Kling) has worked hard from the difficult No 2 berth. I remain convinced that he has even more to offer as we head towards the play-offs.SWINDON have confirmed Simon Stead will remain in their side for the clash with Poole on Thursdayafter a speculation frenzy over his future.Robins co-promoter Gary Patchett said: Simon is aware we are concerned about his form. He says he is determined to turn things around which is good to hear and we will continue to work with him to enable him to achieve that.For our part Alun (Rossiter) and I are solely focused on producing the team best possible to give us every chance of play off success.WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Freddie Lindgren scored a paid maximum in the local derby win over Birmingham as the Monmore men bounced back from a heavy defeat at Eastbourne.Lindgren said: It is really great to bounce back from a terrible night down at Eastbourne like that.I definitely feel like I am more comfortable on the bike and I am a lot more confident again in Britain which is very good.
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK have been relieved to hear recent signing Micky Dyer should be fit to make a quick comeback despite suffering a thigh wound in a crash last weekend.Manager Ian Rae said: There was talk of a lengthy lay-off, but by Sunday night the situation was clearer, bringing better news. Despite the size of the wound it didnt need an operation, and the doctors at Edinburgh Royal were able to draw it together with half-a-dozen or so big stitches. We didnt think Mickey would be able to resume racing this weekbut these Aussies seem indestructible!EDINBURGH co-promoter John Campbell believes the Monarchs are still on-track for the play-offs despite a double injury blow for Craig Cook and Joszef Tabaka.Campbell said: It is obviously going to be more difficult for us now with the riders we have got left, but Im sure we will still get there. But staying unbeaten at Armadale is critical to our qualifying hopes now.GLASGOW co-promoter Alan Dick says the decision taken by himself and colleague Stewart Dickson to put the club up for sale can still lead to a bright future for the Tigers.Dick said: I know our supporters will be a little anxious at the moment but we are convinced that our move will prove to be something that will safeguard the future of this club. We want it to grow and to do that it needs a different approach and hopefully we will see something very positive to come out of the next couple of months as the 2012 season comes towards its conclusion.IPSWICH manager Pete Simmons said the loss of Rohan Tungate with a groin injury in his opening ride was the biggest reason for the Witches failure to add to their league points total at Glasgow on Sunday.Simmons said: It was always going to be a tricky task here, but we felt we could get something out of this. But once Rohan went, that was that.LEICESTER boss Glyn Taylor says the Lions win at Berwick could well prove to be a crucial one as they look to hold on to a top-six place.Taylor said: The result has given the team a lift at the right moment. We have one more home and three away Premier League fixtures, and our target is to be sure in the knowledge that we have secured our place in the play-offs before we travel to Edinburgh for our last match.NEWCASTLE manager George English is expecting his team to show a different formation next month, having so far been able to book some high-scoring guests for injured reserve Richie Worrall.English said: Whether we get the chance to use Robin (Aspegren) again is doubtful as I believe the stats will show Richie moving into the top five for September with Claes (Nedermark) at reserve, which changes the whole picture.PLYMOUTH intend to bring in Australian rider Jake Anderson this week as a replacement for injured countryman Robert Ksiezak, subject to approval, but fellow reserve Ben Reade is also on the sidelines at this stage.Promoter Mike Bowden said: It would be nice to get an away win and we will be hoping to take something from these two matches (at Berwick and Sheffield).REDCARS Julie Lewis Memorial Trophy meeting was won by Australian whizzkid Brady Kurtz, who finished ahead of fellow countrymen Damien Koppe and Harley Horwood.Kurtz said: It was my first time here and I really liked it. Hopefully I can come back in the future and do well. I came over here to get a few rides, see what happens and hopefully sort a team place out for next season.RYE HOUSE have completed the signing of Simon Lambert to replace Ritchie Hawkins - after it initially looked as though the move had fallen through with Lambert set to stay with Stoke.Lambert said: I would like to thank Stoke Speedway for taking me on when I had nothing, but I am ambitious, I want to race in the Premier League to forward my career, and I am looking forward to this new challenge. I would also like to thank both Len (Silver) and John (Sampford) for sorting this all out.SCUNTHORPE boss Richard Hollingsworth was delighted with the strength-in-depth provided by Ashley Birks, Gary Irving and Michael Palm Toft in last Fridays home win over Sheffield.Hollingsworth said: For those to have 17 rides and score 30 points and four bonus points between them augers well for rest of the season. Hopefully it is a sign their confidence is building and we are going to see more scores like that. If it does then we are going to be hard to beat around here.SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock says she finds it impossible to predict a winner from the Premier League Pairs on Fridayalthough she hopes Jason Doyle and James Wright can provide home success!She said: 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.SHEFFIELD manager David Hoggart says his side can build on the confidence gained from a home win over high-flying Workington last Thursday.Hoggart said: Workington are a fine team this season so it was nice for us to get the points against a top team, it underlines exactly what we are capable of. Unfortunately we couldn't follow that up at Scunthorpe on Friday but the attitude of the riders is first class and they are giving it their all for the cause.WORKINGTON boss Tony Jackson says the Comets continue to look at team strengthening options with Kyle Howarth and Kenny Ingalls out for the seasonwith Ingalls injuries unfortunately proving to be worse than first feared.Jackson said: We need to strengthen the team because we have got our fifth and sixth rider out at the moment. We are looking at several possible avenues, and various options both home and abroad to shore up the team.
FIXTURE PICTURE
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
SATURDAY AUGUST 25:BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Cardiff 6pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 26:NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke 4pmPRIDE OF THE MIDLANDS: Leicester 2.30
MONDAY AUGUST 27:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Peterborough 7.30, Peterborough v Coventry 11am, Swindon v Lakeside 8pm, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Leicester 2pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Somerset 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Isle of Wight (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Mildenhall v Stoke 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 28:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Rye House 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 8pm, Poole v Lakeside 7.30, Kings Lynn v Swindon 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 30:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Berwick 7.45NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Poole 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7pm, Edinburgh v Redcar (follows previous fixture), Somerset v Plymouth 7.30, Workington v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Plymouth v Somerset 7.30, Rye House v Ipswich 6pm, Workington v Leicester 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Isle of Wight (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Buxton 7.30WESTERNAPOLIS: Plymouth 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Sheffield 4pm, Leicester v Workington 6pm, Newcastle v Rye House 7pm, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 5pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kings Lynn 4.30, Scunthorpe v Stoke (follows PL match).
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30, Wolverhampton v Lakeside 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Isle of Wight 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Birmingham 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
