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EDINBURGH No.1 Craig Cook has joined the line-up for the re-staging of the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield on Sunday (1pm).Cook missed the initial attempt to run the Owlerton showpiece due to injury but completed a successful practice ahead of a track return this week.Workingtons Rene Bach, a former Finalist in the event, will also be in action at Owlerton with the duo replacing the unavailable Ben Barker and Lasse Bjerre, whilst James Grieves will now represent Glasgow as original participant Josh Grajczonek has a broken ankle.SpeedwayGB Events Co-Ordinator David Hoggart said: Having commenced the meeting in September, the same line-up is eligible for the re-staging but with Josh injured and Barker and Bjerre elsewhere opportunities arise for the next in line in average order. Craig is the highest-averaged rider in line followed by Rene; indeed, Rene was on stand-by for the original staging and was prepared to compete at short notice. The field is still wide open with Josh Auty, Jason Doyle, Ryan Fisher, Craig Cook and now Rene Bach all declaring their intention to win. It will be a hard meeting for everyone and I really can't predict the champion. Look at how Richard Lawson is riding at the moment and the home man, Richard Hall, pulled off some breathtaking moves last Thursday. Sebastian Alden and Stuart Robson are no slouches round Owlerton and Nick Morris is more than ready to make his mark.As an added bonus to PLRC visitors members of the Newcastle Diamonds promotion will be handing out discount vouchers for that day's evening fixture against Workington when fans who are able to take in both meetings can gain admission to Brough Park for just 5. As usual the Sheffield restaurant will be serving Sunday lunch from 12pm. Advance bookings can be made on 01142343074 or via the Speedway Ofice on 01142 853142.PLRC LINE-UP: Leigh Lanham (Ipswich), Anders Mellgren (Rye House), Nick Morris (Scunthorpe), Jason Doyle (Somerset), Stuart Robson (Newcastle), Sebastian Alden (Berwick), Richard Hall (Sheffield), Theo Pijper (Edinburgh), Ryan Fisher (Plymouth), Craig Cook (Edinburgh), Ulrich Ostergaard (Redcar), Josh Auty (Scunthorpe), Kauko Nieminen (Leicester), Richard Lawson (Workington), James Grieves (Glasgow), Rene Bach (Workington).*THE top riders from the Elite League will do battle in the ELRC at Swindon on Saturday October 20the final major event of the 2012 season.Each club will be represented by their highest-averaged rider with six other places available in the field, with Belle Vue's Rory Schlein defending the title he won in thrilling style last season.Former winner Freddie Lindgren is in line to compete for Wolverhampton again, and the meeting also raises the intriguing prospect of new World Champion Chris Holder going up against his Poole team-mate Darcy Ward.Swindon are offering numerous packages for the meeting including race sponsorship, VIP entry and rider mascots, all of which include several other benefits.Meeting sponsorship is also available and enquiries should be made to Debbie on 07990 563115 or email debbie@gospeed.co.uk .The meeting gets underway at 6pm and admission prices have been set at Adults 25, Concessions 20, Children (12-15) 5 and Under-12s Free.DRAW: Simon Gustafsson (Eastbourne), Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton), Chris Holder (Poole), Peter Karlsson (Lakeside), Rory Schlein (Belle Vue), Mads Korneliussen (Kings Lynn), Niels-Kristian Iversen (Kings Lynn), Krzysztof Buczkowski (Peterborough), Danny King (Birmingham), Scott Nicholls (Coventry), Darcy Ward (Poole), Hans Andersen (Swindon), Michael Jepsen Jensen (Peterborough), Troy Batchelor (Swindon), Joonas Kylmakorpi (Eastbourne), Chris Harris (Coventry).SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES:BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOE HAINESPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: BERWICKBRITISH FINAL: SCOTT NICHOLLSPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: WORKINGTONPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday October 14ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, Saturday October 20
NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENT DATES:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: MILDENHALLNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: MILDENHALLNATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: ASHLEY BIRKS
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 have been boosted ahead of their KO Cup clash with Birmingham by the return from injury of Craig Cookeleven days after he thought he had suffered broken ribs in a crash at Scunthorpe.The Aces will be without Renat Gafurov for the meetings against the Brummies as he is racing for Russian side Vladivostok, and the rider-replacement facility will be in operation for him.BIRMINGHAM boss Phil Morris says the club must put their impending parting of the ways with Bjarne Pedersen to one side as they go into KO Cup action this week.Morris said: As a former rider I know what guys go through and hes had a tough time. I thank him for his efforts on behalf of the club but its quite clear the move hasnt worked out.Now we have a regroup as a team and get our heads down for the cup campaign. It would be nice for us to achieve something in the cup and round the season off with a smile.COVENTRY boss Blayne Scroggins says the Bees trip to Poole this week in a Challenge match will act as good preparation for their forthcoming KO Cup semi-final after three weeks off.Scroggins said: This meeting will be all about getting match-sharp for Friday as some of our team havent ridden for a few weeks.The result itself is not all-important and of course there is no pressure, but we still want to go south and put up a good show against the team that finished top of the leagueit will be a good test for the boys.PETERBOROUGH boss Jan Staechmann says his side are still determined to overcome their injury problemswith Linus Sundstrom, Ryan Sullivan and Tomas H Jonasson all outand make progress in the Knockout Cup.Staechmann said: We have had a horrendous run with injuries this season. It's all well and good being a formidable force when we have a full team, but having a full team has been a bit of a rarity.The Knockout Cup is now our chance to salvage something out of 2012. The Promotion deserve to get something out of what has been a testing season - they have put so much into making the Readypower Panthers genuine title contenders.POOLE promoter Matt Ford has paid tribute to skipper Chris Holder, who became World Champion in dramatic fashion in Torun last weekend.Ford said: We have seen Chris take his first tentative steps in Europewe loaned him to the Isle of Wight to find his feet and this uncut diamond has done the rest and now shines like a jewel on top of the speedway world.For the first time in the clubs history we welcome the champion of the world who has won the title as an asset of this proud Poole club.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter says the Elite League Grand Final against Poolewhich now gets underway at Blunsdon next Monday after this weeks rain-offpromises to be an epic encounter.Rossiter said: We have reached our goal, and it is a massive achievement for the club after finishing bottom last season.We just need to get on it now because over the four meetings we have had (against Poole) this year there is only one point in it. If it goes down to the last race it will be amazing, and they promise to be two great meetings.WOLVERHAMPTON star Nicolai Klindt is looking to round off a tough season on a high with a good performance in the clubs hugely popular Bankss Olympique individual next Tuesday.Klindt said: I showed last Monday that if I can use my head and get some space then I am really quick. So that's exactly what I'll be hoping to do on Tuesday.The handicap system is exciting. You need to use your brain a bit more rather than just gate and go, and it is good because there is a lot more passing. It's a great meeting for the fans so hopefully there will be a big crowd watching us.
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK face a crunch Premier Challenge Trophy clash with Redcar on Saturday, with admission prices again pegged at 10 as part of a successful promotional effort.Majority shareholder John Anderson said: With our kids free and 10 for everyone else deal we are hoping that 'word of mouth' will continue to spread the news and Berwick Speedway on a Saturday night will be seen as real value for money, as well as spectacularly-thrilling evening's entertainment. We have been delighted with the response so far.EDINBURGH skipper Matthew Wethers says an all-round team effort against Ipswich on Friday can secure the Monarchs a place in the Knockout Cup Final.Wethers said: Its do-able! I think we definitely have a chance to reach the cup final. We just all need to get our form going, it seems week after week someone has an off night. If we get everyone going we will be unbeatable.GLASGOW are to be taken over by long-term fan and Copenhagen-based businessman Alan Biggart, who will link with former Tigers promoter Gordon Pairman, the deal being confirmed at a packed supporters forum last weekend.Biggart said: We now have the close season to work incredibly hard to ensure that, come springtime and the new speedway season, we are ready with an entertainment product and on-track team which our fans and sponsors will stand behind - and encourage others to experience too. Glasgow Tigers have entertained generations of Glaswegians since 1946 and we want that to continue for a long, long time to come. IPSWICH boss Pete Simmons knows the Witches face a critical weekend of racing in three different competitionswith the odds against them in the Premier Challenge Trophy.Simmons said: We have to get a draw at Sheffield on Thursday and thrash Rye House back here at Foxhall next week. We can do it but it is going to be tough. Its a tough week ahead with Edinburgh on Friday and Workington on Saturday.LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones was delighted with the Lions finish to their home clash with Newcastle, the 50-40 win ensuring they retain a chance to make the play-off Final.Jones said: Collectively this was our first team meeting at Beaumont Park since 2nd September and it showed early on. The team talk at the interval seemed to do the trick as afterwards we looked a different side and scored eighteen points from a possible twenty.NEWCASTLE are offering a special admission deal for their Premier League KO Cup semi-final clash with Workington on Sunday evening.Supporters attending the lunchtime PLRC at Sheffield will be handed vouchers by members of the Diamonds promotion, which will enable them to extend their speedway day with admission at Brough Park for just 5.REDCAR require a strong result at Berwick on Saturday if they are to reach the Final of the Premier Challenge Trophywith boss Jitendra Duffill bemoaning their fortune at Glasgow last weekend.Duffill said: Ive never known a meeting where weve had so much bad luck. Mechanical problems cost us eight points, and if wed got those it would have swung it as a win our way.RYE HOUSE have set the pace in their Premier Challenge Trophy group thanks to a 45-45 draw from their away match at Sheffield last week followed by their weekend home win over Ipswich.Promoter Len Silver said: To gain two away points in a three team league provides an absolutely massive boost. In one fell swoop, it has put us on the brink of a place in the final, and the boys are rightly delighted to be on the brink of making it there.SCUNTHORPE are awaiting results from elsewhere in their play-off group to determine whether their own performances will be enough to see the Scorpions reach the Final.Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: Weve battled all the way, which is all we ask. We picked up a valuable away point at Edinburgh on Friday, we dug deep yesterday (Saturday) at Workington and took it to a last-heat decider in terms of the final point, and then we smashed Workington today (Sunday). If we dont make it, Im still proud of our performances. If we do make it, lets go and ride like we did tonight again!SHEFFIELD skipper Richard Hall is expected to be fit for the clubs Premier Challenge Trophy fixture against Ipswich on Thursday, after suffering a wrist injury when guesting for Scunthorpe at the weekend.Tigers boss David Hoggart said: Richard is a brave character and he was planning to go to hospital just to see what the full extent of the damage was. A couple of days rest should allow things to settle down and I fully expect him to be in the side on Thursdayand, of course, he has the Premier League Riders Championship at Owlerton on Sunday.SOMERSET will clinch a place in the Premier League play-off Final with a maximum-points home win over Leicester on Friday.Promoter Debbie Hancock said: There is everything to play for on Friday night, and to make it doubly exciting, Leicester still have a chance to make it through to the Final themselves instead of the Rebels. But all three points from our match against the Lions on Friday night will ensure that we will finish top of our group irrespective of the outcome of the match at Leicester the following evening.WORKINGTON are facing up to a hectic weekend of four meetings in two days that will go some way to determining whether there is likely to be any further silverware heading to Derwent Park to add to the Premier League Pairs title that the club won at the end of August.Manager Tony Jackson said: Saturday evening sees us entertain Edinburgh in the league championship play-offs, followed by the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Ipswich, in a double-header with a reduced admission price of 25 for adults and 15 for concessions. In order to maintain an interest in both competitions we must take all three points from the Monarchs and then pull back a 12-point deficit against the Witches. Then, on Sunday, we have Richard Lawson and Rene Bach in action at Sheffield in the re-staging of the Premier League Riders Championship before heading up to Newcastle for the first leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final against the Diamonds later that evening. Hopefully our fans will turn out in force to support us in these crucial fixtures and for those attending both the PLRC and the KO Cup tie they can take advantage of the Newcastle promotions very generous admission offer for fans attending both meetings.FIXTURE PICTURE
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Belle Vue v Birmingham 8pmNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Stoke v Dudley 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Poole v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 11:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30, 1st leg: Peterborough v Swindon 7.30PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.45
FRIDAY OCTOBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Coventry v Belle Vue/Birmingham 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Somerset v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Leicester v Somerset 7.30, Workington v Edinburgh 6.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Ipswich (follows previous fixture)PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Berwick v Redcar 7.30, Rye House v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 1pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Newcastle v Workington 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Stoke 4.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 15:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 16:BANKSS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Swindon 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30CHALLENGE: Coventry v Poole 8pm
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20: ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon 6pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30CHALLENGE: Rye House v NL Rising Stars 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Glasgow v Berwick 4pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm
TUESDAY OCTOBER 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Dudley v Mildenhall 7.30
