(Speedway 1)
SWINDON co-promoter Gary Patchett expects Saturdays Elite League Riders Championship to provide a fitting climax to the 2012 major events programme.The Abbey Stadium stages the event for the second successive season with a high-quality line-up which includes recently-crowned World Champion Chris Holder.Patchett said: Its great to see a World Champion that rides in the Elite League, and Chris has made a mockery of the argument that riding here can affect your Grand Prix aspirations, and long may that continue.After the drama and success of last years event, when Rory Schlein passed former Robin Scott Nicholls on the last bend of the Final to secure victory, hopefully the weather will play ball with us and you can rest assured that we will do our utmost to deliver another meeting worthy of the title.(Speedway 2)
LINUS Eklof will return to the Poole team for their re-arranged Elite League Grand Final second leg against Swindon on Friday.The Swede shares a position in the Pirates line-up with Kyle Howarth, and gets the call with Howarth required for Premier League duty with Workington on the same night.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: Linus has shown us already that he can score valuable points for us and there is no question if he can punch above his average weight on Friday and help us pull back the seven points he will be the hero of Wimborne Road."I know that Kyle is bitterly disappointed to have to miss out on Friday as he was looking forward to being part of the side but I equally know this is an unbelievable opportunity for Linus who cannot wait to be part of the final proceedings.
(Speedway 3)
BIRMINGHAM boss Phil Morris was a relieved man after Josh Auty declared himself fit to line-up for the Brummies against Coventry on Thursday.Morriss side are looking to pull back a six-point deficit in their KO Cup semi-final and their options for a replacement after Auty suffered wrist damage were diminishing.Morris said: This news is a massive relief. Not only is Josh such a key member of the team, but our alternatives were getting limited as all options for guests came to a dead end for one reason or another.Its a big relief and hopefully we can kick on and pull the deficit back and reach the Cup Final.
(Speedway 4)
SOMERSET have booked Ryan Fisher to guest for the injured Jason Doyle in the first leg of the League Cup Final on Friday.The Rebels host Ipswich with both sides facing a busy run-in to the end of the season as they are also involved in other Finals.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: Its everything to play for, both sides have been well-matched on their previous encounters this year so it has all the makings of being a close-run affair.What we would now like, apart from some good weather of course, is for Somerset fans to turn up in their droves at the Oaktree Arena on Friday night to support the team as the boys look to build up a healthy first leg advantage for when we go to Foxhall next week.(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18:ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Stoke 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20: ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon 6pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pmPREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Rye House v Sheffield 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Mildenhall 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21:PREMIER CHALLENGE TROPHY: Glasgow v Berwick 4pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm
