(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORKINGTON are hoping track knowledge plays a part when they look to improve on recent third-place finishes in the Premier League Fours at Peterborough on Sunday.The Comets, who have won the event five times since 2001 but have had to settle for bronze in the last two years, include former Panthers riders Rene Bach and Richard Lawson in their line-up.Workington owner Laura Morgan said: Hopefully, with both Richard and Rene having ridden for Peterborough last season, we will have some extra track knowledge that can help us.Last weekends results will have given the riders plenty of confidence and if we can take that into the Fours on Sunday afternoon we can give a good account of ourselves and maybe pick up some silverware, although the competition will be fierce.(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON stand-in skipper Tai Woffinden says the point gained by his side in an eventful Elite League encounter at Poole should still be seen as a positive result.Woffinden and team-mate Adam Skornicki held a 5-1 position for depleted Wolves when the Pirates Darcy Ward came to grief in Heat 15, with Poole guest Troy Batchelor winning the re-run to give the home side a dramatic 46-44 win.Woffinden said: I'm pleased with the result although I'm not pleased with my own performance. We still got a point out of it and that is definitely a positive result.Wolves saw their lead at the top of the table cut to three points as Birmingham took three from their home clash with Lakeside, defeating the Hammers 51-42 at Perry Barr with Ben Barker top-scoring on 13+1.(SPEEDWAY 3)
EDINBURGH have announced their intention to stage a major fund-raising meeting as part of plans to install an air-fence at Armadale for the 2014 season.The SCB have issued a directive that all tracks in the UK must have an Additional Protective Barrier in place next year, but co-promoter John Campbell says this will not lead to question marks over the clubs future.Campbell said: The club was saved last winter by the generosity of the fans so were happy to give them the early commitment for next season. The kind donations we received have put the club in a far stronger position financially than we have enjoyed for many years.We intend to promote a major fund-raising meeting, with the help of the riders, before the end of this season and also organise a series of other fund-raising events. We will also be looking for corporate sponsors to purchase a fence panel at a cost of 425 giving the company advertising rights to that section of fencing for two seasons.(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD are to showcase several new faces to UK racing as they stage the annual Top Gun Individual at Owlerton on Thursday.Roland Benko of Hungary, Aussie Hunter Anderson, New Zealander Hayden Sims and Argentinas Jonathan Itture have all been handed a place in the line-up with the incentive that there may be a Tigers contract on the line should they impress.Promoter Neil Machin said: Its always been a bit of a filler at the end of the season but has nevertheless also provided some great entertainment.But this year weve cranked it up a bit and by giving the four young lads their chance to impress in a tough field, it will be a very worthwhile exercise.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
JAMES Shanes has been announced as the first rider to take part in the Jan O Pedersen British Speedway Academy.Pedersen will select five riders in time for the scheme to start in August, with other initiatives including training schools planned for others not eligible for the Academy.Shanes said: I was amazed when Jan O approached me about it and discussed everything with my parents. I am totally new to speedway but have enjoyed every minute of riding for Coventry, firstly in the Midland Development League and then after my exams were over in the National League for the Storm.At Coventry seven-times British Champion Scott Nicholls has taken me under his wing to mentor and help me after Laurence Rogers arranged this. Now I have the chance to work with a World Champion. This is a dream come true.
(SPEEDWAY 6)
DEREK Sneddons Testimonial committee will have Hans Andersens 2006 speedway bikewith which he won the Elite League titleon display at Peterborough on Sunday at the Premier League Fours.The machine is being raffled for Sneddons Testimonial funds and the riders met up at Belle Vue on Monday in order for Andersen to sign the bike.Andersen said: The bike certainly did me proud that season. Everyone will remember we won the last heat decider at Peterborough to win the league that year.I came in as a substitute to the Grand Prixs, won a couple of GPs. I did four GPs and I had four rostrum finishes. Everything just seemed to fall into place that year, I scored a lot of points. Im very happy that the bike is going to do some good for Dereks Testimonial.
(SPEEDWAY 7)
SOMERSET boss Garry May says the club are chasing a double of major event victories when they compete in Sundays Premier League Fours at Peterborough.The Rebels were victorious in the Pairs through Jason Doyle and Josh Grajczonek, and they are joined by fellow Australians Nick Morris and Alex Davies at the Showground, with Kyle Newman named as reserve.May said: It might seem an obvious thing to say, but the key in a competition such as this is to not running any last places - by ensuring that you dont do that then you are at least keeping your score-chart ticking over with points.Itll be a tough afternoon of competition, but our boys have been riding well of late in some difficult circumstances and situations, and we go to Peterborough looking to bring the Fours trophy back to the Oaktree Arena to sit alongside the Pairs Trophy we won back in May.(SPEEDWAY 8)
KINGS Lynn have confirmed the return of skipper Mads Korneliussen as they make the short trip to Elite League rivals Peterborough on Friday.Korneliussen has not featured for the Stars since the end of May when he suffered a broken shoulder-blade and fractured vertebra in a crash whilst riding in the Danish Championship.He comes back into the team in place of broken leg victim Simon Stead, whilst Sebastian Alden (foot injury) and Andzejs Lebedevs (World Cup) miss the Showground fixture.(SPEEDWAY 9)
RICKY Ashworth will be back in the Berwick team for their home Premier League clash with Redcar on Saturday.Ashworth suffered severe concussion after two heavy crashes in April and has required neurological scans and the extraction of wisdom teeth before finally being given the go-ahead to resume practice and racing.Ashworth will also join the Bandits quartet for the Premier League Fours at Peterborough on Sunday, in place of stand-in Edward Kennett.Berwick boss Ian Rae said: Ricky returns to his role at No.1, allowing Edward to revert to a full-time role at Swindon. However, Kozza Smith will continue in his role as club captain, allowing Ricky to concentrate fully on getting himself back into the main business of scoring points for the New Holland Bandits.(SPEEDWAY 10)
PLYMOUTH have signed Swedish star Sebastian Alden as a temporary replacement for the injured Ty Proctor.Alden, who will continue to ride for Kings Lynn in the Elite League, has agreed a 28-day deal with the Devils who have been without Proctor since he suffered a trapped nerve in his neck in mid-May. Alden is expected to make his debut next week.Plymouth boss Lee Trigger said: It has been increasingly difficult finding guest replacements for Ty, so we have signed Seb on a 28-day agreement and we will review the situation at the end of the month.Seb rides our place very well and his experience with Berwick means that he has a good knowledge of Premier League tracks.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LEICESTER will be at full strength for a big home clash with Newcastle on Saturday - and will also track their preferred quartet in the Premier League Fours the following afternoon.The Lions had been without Danish youngster Lasse Bjerre in their defeat at Workington last Saturday due to an injury sustained playing football, whilst Magnus Karlsson was forced to withdraw after three rides, but both return this weekend.Co-promoter Alan Jones said: Apart from Newcastle everyone has lost at least one home fixture and we have to count on not losing another. A win on Saturday is a must because I cannot see any of the top six dropping further points at home and we have to be on our very best form to succeed.The longer our home Premier League unbeaten record went on the more our expectations grew, but I think we all knew deep down inside that good things always come to an end. That is out of the way now and we have to forget about the result and, starting on Saturday, push on to seal a win to consolidate our position as play-off candidates.
(FIXTURES)
(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORKINGTON are hoping track knowledge plays a part when they look to improve on recent third-place finishes in the Premier League Fours at Peterborough on Sunday.The Comets, who have won the event five times since 2001 but have had to settle for bronze in the last two years, include former Panthers riders Rene Bach and Richard Lawson in their line-up.Workington owner Laura Morgan said: Hopefully, with both Richard and Rene having ridden for Peterborough last season, we will have some extra track knowledge that can help us.Last weekends results will have given the riders plenty of confidence and if we can take that into the Fours on Sunday afternoon we can give a good account of ourselves and maybe pick up some silverware, although the competition will be fierce.(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON stand-in skipper Tai Woffinden says the point gained by his side in an eventful Elite League encounter at Poole should still be seen as a positive result.Woffinden and team-mate Adam Skornicki held a 5-1 position for depleted Wolves when the Pirates Darcy Ward came to grief in Heat 15, with Poole guest Troy Batchelor winning the re-run to give the home side a dramatic 46-44 win.Woffinden said: I'm pleased with the result although I'm not pleased with my own performance. We still got a point out of it and that is definitely a positive result.Wolves saw their lead at the top of the table cut to three points as Birmingham took three from their home clash with Lakeside, defeating the Hammers 51-42 at Perry Barr with Ben Barker top-scoring on 13+1.(SPEEDWAY 3)
EDINBURGH have announced their intention to stage a major fund-raising meeting as part of plans to install an air-fence at Armadale for the 2014 season.The SCB have issued a directive that all tracks in the UK must have an Additional Protective Barrier in place next year, but co-promoter John Campbell says this will not lead to question marks over the clubs future.Campbell said: The club was saved last winter by the generosity of the fans so were happy to give them the early commitment for next season. The kind donations we received have put the club in a far stronger position financially than we have enjoyed for many years.We intend to promote a major fund-raising meeting, with the help of the riders, before the end of this season and also organise a series of other fund-raising events. We will also be looking for corporate sponsors to purchase a fence panel at a cost of 425 giving the company advertising rights to that section of fencing for two seasons.(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD are to showcase several new faces to UK racing as they stage the annual Top Gun Individual at Owlerton on Thursday.Roland Benko of Hungary, Aussie Hunter Anderson, New Zealander Hayden Sims and Argentinas Jonathan Itture have all been handed a place in the line-up with the incentive that there may be a Tigers contract on the line should they impress.Promoter Neil Machin said: Its always been a bit of a filler at the end of the season but has nevertheless also provided some great entertainment.But this year weve cranked it up a bit and by giving the four young lads their chance to impress in a tough field, it will be a very worthwhile exercise.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
JAMES Shanes has been announced as the first rider to take part in the Jan O Pedersen British Speedway Academy.Pedersen will select five riders in time for the scheme to start in August, with other initiatives including training schools planned for others not eligible for the Academy.Shanes said: I was amazed when Jan O approached me about it and discussed everything with my parents. I am totally new to speedway but have enjoyed every minute of riding for Coventry, firstly in the Midland Development League and then after my exams were over in the National League for the Storm.At Coventry seven-times British Champion Scott Nicholls has taken me under his wing to mentor and help me after Laurence Rogers arranged this. Now I have the chance to work with a World Champion. This is a dream come true.
(SPEEDWAY 6)
DEREK Sneddons Testimonial committee will have Hans Andersens 2006 speedway bikewith which he won the Elite League titleon display at Peterborough on Sunday at the Premier League Fours.The machine is being raffled for Sneddons Testimonial funds and the riders met up at Belle Vue on Monday in order for Andersen to sign the bike.Andersen said: The bike certainly did me proud that season. Everyone will remember we won the last heat decider at Peterborough to win the league that year.I came in as a substitute to the Grand Prixs, won a couple of GPs. I did four GPs and I had four rostrum finishes. Everything just seemed to fall into place that year, I scored a lot of points. Im very happy that the bike is going to do some good for Dereks Testimonial.
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY JULY 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Redcar v Rye House 7.30TOP GUN INDIVIDUAL: Sheffield 7.45JOHN BERRY MEMORIAL: Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pm, Peterborough v Kings Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.15, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Leicester v Newcastle 7.30, Rye House v Edinburgh 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 14:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough 2.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kings Lynn 3pm, Mildenhall v Kent 4.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: Eastbourne 3.30
