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PETERBOROUGH new-boy Kenni Larsen says the chance to work with fellow Dane Jan Staechmann was a major factor in his decision to join the Panthers.Larsen has switched to the Showground club after two years with Elite League rivals Coventry, and feels team manager Staechmann can have a positive influence on his form.He said: Jan is a great guy to work with, is very knowledgeable, has an excellent reputation and is well-respected in the sport world-wide. Ive made good progress since coming to England in 2008, but I can still learn so much more from him.Jan will have all the riders working together as a team and well then be able to help and feed off each other.(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY promoter Mick Horton says Fridays Brandonapolis is the perfect way to start his second season in charge of the club.Six of the current Bees riders take part in the meeting and the line-up also includes former club captain Chris Harris and previous winners Linus Sundstrom and Hans Andersen.Horton said: I believe we have a very competitive line-up with several top Elite League men. We have a field containing Coventry riders past and present, and other Elite League No.1s, and I think its very hard to predict a winner. We also brought forward the start-time for this years meeting (to 7.30pm) in direct response to the feedback we received after the late finish in 2012. Hopefully well have lots of good racing to whet everyones appetite for the season ahead.
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SHEFFIELD and Kings Lynn rider Jake Knight has been forced to withdraw from this Saturdays British Under-21 semi-final at Plymouth.Knight misses out as he has to attend a course at the sugar factory where he has been working during the close-season, and his place will be taken by Coventry Storms Martin Knuckey with David Abraham now a reserve.British Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher said: I spoke to Jakes Dad, former World Finalist Richard Knight, and he explained that Jake was gutted about not being able to make Plymouth, but he had to look at the bigger picture, and is hoping to be able to continue working at the sugar factory alongside riding for Sheffield and the Kings Lynn Young Stars in 2013.Martin only lives in Cornwall, and is a prodigy of former Plymouth rider Ben Barker, so don't be surprised to see Ben in the pits come Saturday night.
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KINGS Lynn star Niels-Kristian Iversen took victory in Swindons season-opening Bob Kilby Memorial Trophy meeting at Blunsdon.Iversen finished ahead of British duo Tai Woffinden and Scott Nicholls in the Finalbut there was frustration for Robins skipper Hans Andersen, who came home fourth despite having headed the qualifying scores.Iversen said: I started off pretty slowly but it finished well so it was a good night. Its always nice to win a meeting like this.Things are looking exciting for our team at Kings Lynn and also Im looking forward to the GPs this year. Im off to New Zealand on Sunday and its going to be a big challenge.(SPEEDWAY 5)
LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones says the club are relishing the prospect of hosting Elite League side Coventry in the East Midlands Bowl on Saturday.The famous trophy meeting has been revived at the start of the Lions third season back in the sport, and it means the Premier League club will welcome the likes of Krzysztof Kasprzak and Scott Nicholls to their newly-modified circuit.Jones said: This is a meeting that fans have been asking us to arrange, and whilst there are no league points at stake the mere fact that the two clubs are facing one another for the first time in a full 15-heat team meeting has created much interest and excitement.Saturday will be the first time that four riders will compete against one another following the track alterations last month, and we are grateful to Lafarge Tarmac who kindly supplied different materials which enabled us to carry out the work at very little cost to the club.(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY MARCH 15:BRANDONAPOLIS: Coventry OFF
SATURDAY MARCH 16:BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Plymouth 7pmEAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester v Coventry 7.30
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20:CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 21:CHALLENGE 1st leg: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon v British Lions 7.30
