SPEEDWAY News and Fixtures
(SPEEDWAY 1)SKY Sports have confirmed their live broadcast schedule for Junewith five matches set to be featured.Current Elite League leaders Wolverhamptons visits to Peterborough and Kings Lynn will both be televised, and a further visit to the Norfolk Arena will feature Swindon as the away side.The clash between Birmingham and Poole is also on the schedule, as is a third live Premier League fixture of the season with the ever-popular Oak Tree Arena featuring once more as Somerset take on Edinburgh.Monday June 3Peterborough v WolverhamptonTuesday June 11Somerset v EdinburghWednesday June 12Kings Lynn v WolverhamptonWednesday June 19Birmingham v PooleWednesday June 26Kings Lynn v Swindon(SPEEDWAY 2)NICK Morris was one of three Somerset riders to score maximums in the Rebels emphatic 62-32 win over Leicester in their opening Premier League fixture.Jason Doyle and Josh Grajczonek were also unbeaten for the home side, with the Lions hampered by the withdrawal of No.1 Kauko Nieminen due to mild concussion after an opening heat fall, to add to the absence of Lasse Bjerre.Morris said: I had been finding it difficult to get the right set-up but everything came together tonight, plus I think the move to riding at No.3 from the No.5 position really helped as well.Gazza (Rebels team manager Garry May) thought that might help me and on tonights showing that was a good call by him. But it wasnt just down to me, everyone rode well and I think we were more than deserving of our win.(SPEEDWAY 3)WORKINGTON are set to welcome back No.1 Richard Lawson for their Bank Holiday weekend fixtures against Berwick after ten days out with injury.Lawson crashed out when racing for his Elite League club Lakeside at Birmingham and suffered severe bruising and stiffness, but is now fit to return for the Comets starting at Shielfield Park on Saturday.Manager Tony Jackson said: Richard has been a big miss, not just on the track, but off it as well. However, we have been fortunate that locally-based former Comet Craig Cook, was available to fill in for Richard on all three occasions that we needed him, including the televised meeting.Meanwhile, Essex based Chris Mills is continuing his battle to regain his fitness following his broken left wrist and his place is taken by guest rider Joszef Tabaka from Edinburgh tonight (Saturday).(SPEEDWAY 4)GLASGOW co-promoter Colin Hamilton says the visit of Newcastle on Sunday is set to provide a stern test for his side.The Tigers have put in some encouraging displays at Ashfield so far this season and Hamilton has been impressed with their all-round solidarity.He said: There is no such thing as an easy meeting in speedway; however, some look to be more difficult than others and I suspect that facing Newcastle falls into that category. They have a very strong and talented looking line-uphowever, we are unbeaten at home this season and will be looking to keep it that way.We have actually won this season by having solid team displays, with all riders contributing points rather than us being dependent on the heat leaders, and that is the sign of a good side.(SPEEDWAY 5)LEICESTER skipper Kauko Nieminen has revealed plans for his Testimonial meeting at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium on June 2.Nieminen celebrates a successful British racing career the day after the British Grand Prix, the Finn now being in his third season with the Lions after initially appearing in this country for Workington back in 2002.He said: I am pleased to say that the fixture will be Leicester against a team drawn from people who I have ridden with during my career and riders who I count as my friends.Joe Haines, the former British Under-21 Champion is one such person, and Workingtons Rusty Harrison, who helped me immensely when I first arrived to ride in the UK, is another. I am hoping to be able to announce more names in the next few days of the riders who have accepted my invitation to share the day with me.(FIXTURES)SATURDAY MAY 4:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Workington 7pmHANDICAP INDIVIDUAL: Rye House 7pmCHALLENGE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Leicester 5.30SUNDAY MAY 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Newcastle 3pmCHALLENGE: Buxton v USA Dream Team 3pmMONDAY MAY 6:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Kings Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Leicester 2.30, Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 3pm, Workington v Berwick 7pmCHALLENGE: Kent v American Internationals 3pm, Scunthorpe Saints Select v Sheffield Prowlers Select (follows PL fixture)TUESDAY MAY 7:NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7pm