BIG EVENT LATEST
WORKINGTON boss Tony Jackson says the Premier League Pairs victory at Somerset has given the club a major lift after recent injury setbacks.The Comets went one step further than last year to win the Oak Tree Arena showpiece thanks to Rene Bach and Adam Roynon, with Roynon only getting the call on the day of the meeting after Richard Lawson pulled out due to a back strain.With Kenny Ingalls and Kyle Howarth on the long-term injury list, Jackson says the win in front of a big crowd has left spirits high, as they overcame Scunthorpe in the Final.He said: Everybody wanted to win so much, especially after being runners-up last year, and we didnt want that to happen again.Our guys rode very professionally and got us the trophy. When Josh (Auty) got excluded in the Final I said to the lads, just make sure you finish because you will win, and I didnt want anything stupid to happen.It was a fantastic performance from both of them and I am delighted for them, the fans and everybody else at the club. It has given everybody a lift after the recent injuries and I want to thank everybody at the club.*MILDENHALL are chasing a clean sweep of major National League silverware after adding the Fours to their trophy collection at Stoke on Sunday.The Fen Tigers had already claimed the Pairs on home soil earlier in the season, and they took a convincing victory at Loomer Road with Buxton and Dudley completing the top three.Co-promoter Kevin Jolly said: We showed our true team spirit today. Although he was injured Cam (Heeps) was still here helping winding the boys up and telling them they could win it. All the boys are over the moon and they deserved the victory, make no mistake about that. It's given everyone a hell of a boost and afterwards they were saying we've won the Pairs and the Fours so it's two down, two to go! And why not? I honestly believe this team is capable of winning anything.*THE 2012 major events series continues with the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield on Sunday, September 23.Rye House is the venue for the National League Riders Championship on Saturday, September 29, and the top Elite League riders will be on show at Swindon on Saturday, October 20.There are already several sponsorship and corporate packages available for the Blunsdon event, including race sponsorship, rider mascots and VIP entry with buffet. All details are available from debbie@gospeed.co.uk .
SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES:BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOE HAINESPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: BERWICKBRITISH FINAL: SCOTT NICHOLLSPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: WORKINGTONPREMIER 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: MILDENHALLNATIONAL 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 says the club can still regain some pride with some victories in the final weeks of a difficult season.Attwood said: I havent been concentrating too much on the league table because I think the writing has been on the wall for a while in terms of finishing bottom.But we can absolutely restore some pride and end the year on a high. We know that were probably going to finish bottom, but that wont stop us from fighting.BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury says the closing weeks of the season are important not just for the Brummies 2012 play-off prospects but also with next years line-up in mind.Drury said: I dont need to mention any names because I think its obvious, but we will be looking to certain members of the team to send us a message regarding next season.All the lads are a delight to deal with and I cannot question their commitment to Birmingham Speedway but there does come a time when thats not enoughyou want to see performances on the track.COVENTRY star Kenni Larsen saw his run of misfortune at Peterborough come to an end with a consistent eight-point score in the 45-45 draw on Bank Holiday Monday.Larsen said: It was my best meeting at Peterborough and it was even a morning meeting which I dont normally like, but the track was good and there will be no excuses when I come back here again.I had to swap machines for my third ride and only just got out on track. Normally I would never ride that bike here, but that worked okay as well. I got a good first heat and that got me stuck in from the start of the meeting, so it was good.EASTBOURNE complete their home Elite League programme with the visit of Belle Vue on Saturdayand it is on the road where their play-off chances will be decided.The Eagles still have to race four more away matches before the cut-off, with trips to top-four rivals Peterborough and Birmingham included in that schedule.KINGS LYNN boss Rob Lyon believes an exciting conclusion to the season is in prospect as his side chase a play-off place in their final four Elite League fixtures.Lyon said: While it was disappointing to not get any league points away at Peterborough, we still had a good week collecting seven points from our other two matches against Belle Vue. It now means we are sitting only three points behind Lakeside and four points behind Eastbourne so as far as Im concerned its all to race for as we are still within touching distance of play-off qualification. Looking at the remaining fixtures, Lakeside have some tough home and away matches with Poole and Peterborough ahead, while Eastbourne literally only have one home match left and the rest away. Therefore I believe the race for the play-offs will go all the way to the final week of the season, and I wouldnt be surprised if we are part of it.LAKESIDE have stated that Jonas Davidsson will not be returning to the UK for the rest of the season due to a lack of form and confidence.Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook commented: Sadly Jonas has had enough and, despite a great meeting in Poland on Sunday, he feels he is putting himself under too much pressure to return to form here in the UK. His return was well intentioned by all parties but has not worked and we wish him well. We now have to concentrate on the week ahead and hope to have a new face in quickly.PETERBOROUGH skipper Kenneth Bjerre admits he has suffered a disastrous yearwhich has now come to an early end with the broken leg he suffered at the Showground last Thursday.Bjerre said: From the very first meeting of the year in New Zealand when two engines packed up to Thursday night, it has been a nightmare year.I just hope Panthers can make the play-offs without me. They did really well to beat Kings Lynn and all season people have stepped up when others have been struggling or injured.POOLE boss Neil Middleditch is looking to the remainder of his team to cover for broken leg victim Dennis Andersson against Lakeside this week as they look to secure a top-two position ahead of the play-offs.Middleditch said: Our home and away meetings against Lakeside this week can seal a top two finish and depending on the results they could determine whether we finish first or second.Every point counts and I believe Ricky (Kling), Sam (Masters) and Linus (Eklof) will make all the difference on Wednesday and Friday with their returns. Its a great opportunity for them to be the latest Poole heroes.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter was disappointed for squad riders Lasse Bjerre and Sebastian Alden that they missed the chance to impress on Monday with the Robins home match against Lakeside called-off.Rossiter said: Jason (Doyle) and Nick (Morris) have been brilliant for us so far this year, and they would have been a real miss for us. But I had every confidence in Seb and Lasse because they have both been riding really well.Seb has been scoring a lot of points in the Premier League and Lasse just won an individual event, so I am sure they would have done well.WOLVERHAMPTON manager Peter Adams took plenty of encouragement from the performances of reserves Jacob Thorssell and Pontus Aspgren in the 38-52 defeat at Poole last Wednesday.Adams said: Jacob has been to this track before but he had a lot of bike trouble when we came last time. He had no bike trouble on Wednesday and he looked an exceptional talent. I think hell go a long way in the Elite League, and also Pontushe won Heat 2 and also made an excellent pass on Ludvig Lindgren to get his other point.So the reserves did their job, and were pleased with them both. They are now sitting in their rightful positions in the team because they arent Elite League second-strings yet, they are reserves, and I think weve seen that against a quality team they are good reserves.
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK will again cut admission prices for a home match, this time to 10, for this Saturdays clash with Edinburgh at Shielfield Park.Director John Anderson said: We have to encourage people to come along and have an enjoyable family night out. We are in the entertainment business and we want to attract people who will make a Saturday night out at Shielfield their summer hobby.EDINBURGH boss John Campbell says steering clear of home defeats will now be vital as the injury-hit Monarchs look to work their way into the play-off zone.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 get there. But staying unbeaten at Armadale is critical to our qualifying hopes now.GLASGOW are billing their fixture with Sheffield this weekend as Sell Out Sunday as they bid to encourage all supporters, regular or lapsed, to attend with admission prices set at 10 with kids for 1.Co-promoter Alan Dick said: We are calling on all fans, especially those who have perhaps not attended much in recent weeks or seasons, to come along and lend their support to the club. We sincerely hope we will see a few old faces back, and maybe even a few new ones too.IPSWICH director of speedway Chris Louis admits there is now little margin for error for the Witches if they are to qualify for the play-offs.Louis said: We are still in the scrap for a top six finish and therefore still in the hunt for the league title. But we need to gain maximum points at home from now on, and look to gain a few away wins as well.LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones said Mondays away win at Rye House was a vital result as the Lions look to fend off the chasing pack in the race for top-six places.Jones said: Difficult as it seemed, we had to get a result there to keep pace with the leaders and we did just that. There are still challenges that lay ahead and we have to keep believing and working hard to ensure that we will be one of the six clubs that reaches the play-off stage of the competition.NEWCASTLE suffered a second successive home postponement against Edinburgh on Bank Holiday Monday.The Diamonds had called up former favourite Rene Bach to guest for the injured Stuart Robson, but they have been left inactive over the second half of August and now resume against Rye House on Sunday.PLYMOUTH will include several potential stars of the future when they stage the Westernapolis at the St Boniface Arena on Saturday, with away matches for their senior team at Somerset and Scunthorpe either side of the meeting.Promoter Mike Bowden said: We have put together an attractive field of up-and-coming National League riders, including a number with Premier League experience. It is also the ideal opportunity for Jake Anderson to have a first look at the Arena in preparation for a busy programme of important home league matches during the next month.REDCAR promoter Brian Havelock is looking forward to another meeting with former Bear James Grieves when Glasgow visit the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday.Havelock said: There is no lack of track knowledge or confidence about our visitors on Thursday and an exciting contest is in prospect. We always look forward to seeing our old friend James Grieves but the pleasantries are reserved for the time when the battle with that competitive and robust racer is over.RYE HOUSE skipper Chris Neathruled out since a serious crash on the first night of the seasonadmits the Rockets catalogue of injuries this season have hit the club hard.Neath said: We have had the heart of the team in Luke (Bowen) and myself as club stalwarts ripped out, which has made it so difficult to achieve the team bonding that has been such an important factor for the side in the past. (Promoter) Len (Silver) and (team manager) John (Sampford) have worked tirelessly to put the team back together after each misfortune, andsomehowthey and the riders have still managed to keep the Rockets in contention for the championship play-offs.SCUNTHORPE skipper Ashley Birks was delighted with the team effort as the Scorpions overcame league leaders Somerset on Monday to boost their play-off prospects.Birks said: All the boys chipped in with points. Josh (Auty) had a superb meeting with a 15-point maximum, but otherwise the rest of us just plugged away and each contributed a few points. Im still not sure what position were going to finish in yet, but it would nice if we can push our way into the top two, and have some choice in where we go.SHEFFIELDS Chris Schramm will continue riding despite recent mechanical problems after reaching agreement with former Tiger Chris Mills to use his equipment.Boss David Hoggart said: Were pleased for Chris because he was very down last Thursday and told us he was looking at sitting out the remaining weeks of the season due to a lack of equipment and resources. Thankfully Millsy has come to the rescue and Schrammy is happy to see out the season on that basis.SOMERSET co-promoter Garry May admits the recent decision to release Sam Masters and retain Jesper B Monberg following Claus Vissings return to fitness was a tough one to make.May said: It was an extremely difficult decision. You could make a very good case for retaining any of the three riders concerned, but unfortunately we had to release one of them and the feeling was that Sams absences would potentially have the greatest effect on the team, and at the end of the day the needs of the team have to come first.WORKINGTON fans will get the chance to welcome home newly crowned Premier League Pairs winners Adam Roynon and Rene Bach on Friday when the Comets stage the first of two home fixtures on successive nights at Derwent Park.Manager Tony Jackson said: We had a lot of travelling fans that made the journey to Somerset last weekend to support our pairing but for those that couldnt make it Adam and Rene will be given a lap of honour with their trophies ahead of Friday evenings home match against our oldest rivals Berwick. Then, in what promises to be a busy weekend as we catch up on our fixtures, we entertain Leicester on Saturday evening before heading down to Leicester for the return clash on Sunday.FIXTURE PICTURE
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, 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
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Kings Lynn 7.30, Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Sheffield 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Rye House (follows PL fixture)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm, Rye House v Redcar 7pm, Workington v Plymouth 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Berwick 4pm, Newcastle v Plymouth 6.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Mildenhall 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 6: Sittingbourne
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Coventry 7.30, Peterborough v Eastbourne 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11:NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Coventry 7.30