(SPEEDWAY 1)
LAKESIDE have been given a further pre-season boost with Brentwood-based company Skidmarques stepping up their backing to become Associate Sponsors.The tyre and alignment specialists advertised with the club in 2012 but have now increased their support of the Hammers.Skidmarques MD Keith Playell said: As a family-run business it is excellent to be associated with a family-friendly club with such a loyal following. We look forward to being good advocates for The Hammers and doing what we can to assist the club and riders.Lakeside co-promoter Jon Cook added: It's been a phenomenal winter for our Commercial team and they have set the standard for their on-track counterparts to follow, starting this Good Friday when we see local rivals, Eastbourne, at our Raceway for the 1pm start.(SPEEDWAY 2)
SOMERSET manager Garry May is playing down expectations for 2013 with the Rebels widely fancied for another strong Premier League season.The Oak Tree Arena club narrowly missed out on the title at the hands of Scunthorpe last year, and are expected to again challenge for honours.May said: I have to admit that I dont like having the tag of being favourites hanging around our necks, but I suppose it does mean that the majority of the pundits think that we have got our team building spot-on, and of course I would love it if we lived up to those expectations.As ever though, there are many factors that can determine how a teams season can pan out, injuries and how you cope with them being the major one. But as things stand I think we have a more than decent septet and one that has the capabilities to be up there once again challenging for honours.
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BRITISH Youth co-bosses Phil Morris and Neil Vatcher have arranged an Under-16 training day at Buxton on Tuesday April 2.The event is open to any riders with their own equipment, and expert tuition will be available from former British and World Under-21 Champion Joe Screen.Vatcher said: There will be no cost to the riders, who will be getting expert advice from both Joe and Phil, and the training will be starting at 10am and going through to about 3.30pm.All riders aged Under-16 are welcome, and we would like to go on record to thank both the Buxton promotion and the BSPA for helping us to arrange this event.(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 28ELITE SHIELD 1st leg: Swindon v Poole 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS CHALLENGE: Sheffield v Birmingham 7.45
FRIDAY MARCH 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, Coventry v Birmingham 8pm, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.45, Kings Lynn v Peterborough 7pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 1pm, Peterborough v Kings Lynn 2pmLEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Rye House 2.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 3pmELITE SHIELD 2nd leg: Poole v Swindon 12pmCOCK O THE NORTH 1st leg: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30CHALLENGE 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30, Scunthorpe v Long Eaton Select (follows LC meeting)
SATURDAY MARCH 30:LEAGUE CUP: Leicester v Sheffield 7.30COCK O THE NORTH 2nd leg: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pmCHALLENGE 2nd leg: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15IAN THOMAS SHIELD 1st leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm
