(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORLD Speedway Champions past, present and future all fly into England this Friday to race at Lakeside in the memory of former Hammers captain and GB international Lee Richardson.The meeting, Remembering #RICO, will be the biggest ever staged at the Arena Essex Raceway and heading the cast are Australian multi-World Champion Jason Crump, who has recently announced his retirement from Grand Prix racing, the current World Champion Greg Hancock from America and Australian Chris Holder, the favourite for this years title.Local fans will be eagerly anticipating seeing former Hammers Swedish Superstar Andreas Jonsson, who will be returning to Purfleet for the first time since 2008, plus they will also have this years star man Peter Karlsson to support.Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook commented: The anticipation for this day is extraordinary as we have sixteen World stars, friends and team mates all riding to remember Lee and with our pricing structure of a minimum donation of just ten pounds per person, it has made the meeting affordable to all. Online advanced ticket sales are already into four figures and its going to be the biggest, and best, Speedway event ever to hit our Raceway.The admission gates of the Arena Essex Raceway will open this Friday at 5.30pm. The Grand Parade and introduction of the riders will be at 7.45pm with the first race scheduled for 8pm.The Club is anticipating a large crowd, with fans expected from virtually all of the Speedway clubs throughout Great Britain and beyond, so for those fans arriving early there will also be a four heat Junior match between the Young Hammers and the Eastbourne Eaglets, which will start at 6.45pm.Standard admission by way of a minimum donation of 10 per person or child admission (aged 6 to 16 inclusive) by way of a minimum donation of 1 per child will be available on the night of the event at the pay booths.Alternatively standard admission only can still be obtained online at the Hammers website at www.lakesidehammers.co but only until 10pm on Thursday evening.(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH have been boosted ahead of the Premier League play-offs with the return to fitness of Craig Cook and Joszef Tabaka.No.1 Cook was due to make his comeback in Wednesdays rained-off Elite League KO Cup tie between Belle Vue and Birmingham, whilst Hungarian star Tabaka has also been out since mid-August giving the Monarchs a tough job to cover his No.6 position.Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: Jozsef was given the all-clear by the hospital but he still wanted to have a try-out. This was at Debrecen (on Wednesday) and he has told me hes OK and looking forward to riding on Friday.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LEICESTER will stage the first-ever Midland Development League Riders Championship at Beaumont Park on Friday.Former World Champion Jan O Pedersen will be guest of honour at the event, and will be available for photos and autographs in aid of the Lee Richardson Fund, with a 19th race-jacket and two MDLRC medals to be auctioned for the same cause.Event co-ordinator Laurence Rogers said: The event has gained considerable sponsorship support from fans and businesses alike to back the heats, riders fuel and prizes and trophies for the Grand final.At this level the riders cannot receive points or travel money, but travel the length and breadth of the UK just for the opportunity of competitive rides and to put themselves in the shop window aiming initially for a National League place.LINE-UP: Oliver Greenwood, Michael Neale, Martin Wrathall, Lee Springthorpe, Andy Braithwaite, Chris Widman, Lee Geary, Danny Phillips, Liam Rumsey, Dan Greenwood, Tom Woolley, Shaun Tedham, Nick Laurence, Martin Knuckey, Max Clegg, Tommy Fenwick. Reserves: David Holt, Adam Kirby.(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Somerset v Newcastle 7pmLEAGUE CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Newcastle (follows previous fixture)LEE RICHARDSON MEMORIAL: Lakeside 8pmMIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS FINAL: Leicester 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Berwick v Glasgow 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Newcastle v Somerset 5pm, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 5pmLEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Newcastle v Somerset (follows previous fixture), Workington v Ipswich 7pmPREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Glasgow v Berwick 4pmNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 3.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight (follows previous fixture)
