BIG EVENT LATESTTHE BSPA have confirmed the formation of an All Party Parliamentary Group for Speedway following a recent meeting in Westminster.This comes as a result of six months of work and correspondence involving the BSPA Management Committee - with George English the delegated representativeand Commercial Executive Michael Addison with the office of the Rt Hon Nick Brown, MP for Newcastle East.The APPG for Speedway officials elected were:Chairman: Rt. Hon Nick Brown MP (Newcastle upon Tyne EastLabour)Secretary: Mark Pawsey MP (RugbyConservative)Joint Vice Chairmen: Sir Tony Cunningham MP (WorkingtonLabour) and Justin Tomlinson (North SwindonConservative).BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess said: This is a very important day for British Speedway. We have official recognition of our sport at the highest level of the British Parliamentary system with an All Party Group with some very, very impressive personalities amongst its membership listing.The groups officers could not have been more impressive in their commitment to Speedway as they all have a track in their constituency, and after the official work was done to launch the group we had informal discussions over several items that have caused particular problems for promoters.However, that is just the start and we can look forward to working very closely with the group as the weeks and months go by, as they are so keen for this group to play a major practical role in support of our sport.*BRITISH Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher has issued a positive half-term report on the competition so far in 2013.Successful rounds of the series have taken place at Leicester, Rye House and Eastbourne, with events to come at Scunthorpe (July 28), Northside (August 11) and Sittingbourne (Sept 8), and races in all three classes have been hotly contested.Vatcher said: Without doubt there is a genuine conveyer belt of young British riders coming through the system, and in a few years time the time and effort put in to the organising of such events as the British Youth Championship will be reaping benefits at a higher level. We have seen the likes of Josh Auty, Joe Haines and more recently Kyle Howarth, Adam Ellis and Ashley Morris represent Great Britain on the big stage at Under-21 level, and all these riders have come through the Under 15s/16s.With the backing of the BSPA, the invaluable experience that these young riders get from travelling around the country riding different types of tracks will make them into better riders.Already we have seen 15-year-olds Zach Wajknecht and Daniel Spiller win World Titles - Zach the 2012 250cc Grass Track World Champion and Daniel the 2013 250cc Speedway Champion - and this all bodes well for a bright future for British Speedway.With three more rounds of the British Championship to go, and also the British 125cc Final at Rye House on August 26, there is still plenty to look forward to, and we have no doubt that at all levels of British Speedway over the next few years teams will include British riders who have come up from the Youth system.We would like to thank the BSPA and SCB for their constant backing, and also our four series sponsors of the British Youth Championship, Friends of Speedway, Wessex Marine, Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club and Duck Smart Cleaning Products.SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES 2013BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT BRANFORDBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: SOMERSETPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: EDINBURGHPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sept 22ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Swindon, Oct 12NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: DUDLEYNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke, August 18NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Sept 21BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Berwick, August 10GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Poole, August 24
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST
BELLE VUE boss Jason Attwood was able to reflect on a positive display from his side on Monday as the Aces defeated Kings Lynn 50-40 at Kirkmanshulme Lane to end a recent poor run.Attwood said: Weve beaten a good side and everybody has chipped in with the points. Speedway is about confidence really, and you are only as good as your last result.Its when the job becomes enjoyable, its not all about winning but the journeys home havent been enjoyable. Ive got confidence in the guys and theyve shown that.BIRMINGHAM star Chris Harris picked up his highest score for the club with a 14-point haul in the Brummies 45-45 draw at Peterborough on Monday which took them second in the Elite League table.Harris said: Its a shame we couldnt take the win but thats speedway for you, at one stage we were eight points down so the boys did well to pull that back from what was a bad situation.Weve got a big week ahead of us now and were targeting maximum points on Wednesday night against Eastbourne but we cant afford to be complacent. I had a good night personally dropping only one point so I feel confident on my bike and cant wait for a return to Perry Barr.COVENTRY promoter Mick Horton knows the visit of local rivals Birmingham to Brandon on Friday will present the Bees with one of their toughest testsespecially with No.1 Krzysztof Kasprzak ruled out due to injury.Horton said: It looks like Birmingham are going to finish virtually on top of the table, but we want some revenge for them beating us earlier in the season and its a special night with so many ex-Coventry riders coming back.Losing Krzysztof is a huge blow for us, and weve got to dig deep to cover for him and find a suitable replacement.EASTBOURNE will offer 10 admission for their home clash with Kings Lynn on August 19 to supporters attending next Mondays televised match against Birmingham, with a kids for a quid scheme also in operation.Eagles co-promoter Mike Bellerby said: Birmingham have been among the pacesetters in this years Elite League right from the off and will be a stern test. It should be a great meeting for Sky and we wish to encourage as many people to come along and support the Eagles.In particular, we hope that the Kids a Quid promotion will encourage more families to enjoy the evening with us and of course, the promotion is also open to Birmingham supporters.KINGS LYNN boss Rob Lyon is adamant that his side can overcome a host of injury problems and still mount a strong challenge for a play-off place over the closing weeks.Lyon told lovespeedway24.co.uk: We cant feel sorry for ourselves, and thats what Ill be telling the boys. Were in a better position than we were at this time last year, and weve still got a good opportunity to reach the play-offs.Its in our hands, and if we get some good results home and away weve got a good chance.LAKESIDE boss Neil Vatcher is determined the Hammers will bounce back from their home defeat against Swindon prior to the World Cup break, as they look to maintain their top-four challenge.Vatcher told Speedway Star: I still believe that our destiny is in our own hands, there are plenty of points to be claimed and we must push on and do what is necessary and approach these meetings in a positive frame of mind.We are still in fourth place, we have to make sure we hold on to that position and weve got two matches with Kings Lynn coming up which could go a long way to deciding our eventual fate.PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Trevor Swales reflected on a costly run of races just after the halfway stage which saw the Panthers lose an eight-point lead against Birmingham, before finally emerging from a fine contest with a draw.Swales said: There was some great racing, but once again its points dropped for us and so that has to be disappointing.We seemed to lose our way from around Heats 10 and 11 and we need to look at the reasons for that. Its a good thing Patrick (Hougaard) got the third place in Heat 15 to at least give us a draw and now well see what we can do at Kings Lynn on Wednesday.POOLE boss Neil Middleditch admits maintaining a strong home run will be crucial to the Pirates hopes of breaking into the top four this season.Middleditch said: That will be the simple message that I will be spelling out to the lads. Despite the poor start to the season and the problems we have encountered in putting a first choice team out we find ourselves still within striking distance of those play-offs.Dropping a point to Wolverhampton wasn't ideal and we can ill afford to allow any more to slip away across our remaining home matches.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter said he was disappointed with the result, but not the Robins performance, as they were edged out 46-44 at Wolverhampton on Monday and had to be content with a point.Rossiter said: We were eight points down at one stage so it was a great comeback by the boys, they all rode their hearts out and theres no complaints from me.Its a little bit disappointing because we really feel we should have won. I think the riders will be pretty gutted with that, I think Hans (Andersen) is pretty upset that he didnt quite make it in Heat 15, but he was outstanding.WOLVERHAMPTON star Tai Woffinden says the Monmore club deserve credit for maintaining their place at the top of the Elite League table despite injury problems, with Ty Proctor out for the season and Freddie Lindgren and Woffinden himself both having spells out.Woffinden said: Weve done a really good job to stay top of the league with all the injury problems, and weve just got to try and keep plugging away over the rest of the season. With Ty out for the year there are probably going to have to be changes, and we could maybe mix the riding order up a bit as well.Theres a long way to go, so well just see what happens over the next few weeks and hopefully keep getting the points we need.
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK star Ricky Ashworth says the more he races, the quicker he will return to top form after nearly three months out of action with severe concussion.Ashworth said: I feel perfectly okay in myself but its all about getting track time at the moment. I have had a few practice spells, but there is no substitute for racing, because you can never judge how quick you are going when you are out on your own.EDINBURGH skipper Derek Sneddon admitted his side could have no complaints after suffering a 52-41 home defeat at the hands of play-off rivals Newcastle at Armadale last Friday.Sneddon told The Scotsman: Without a doubt Newcastle turned in a fantastic performance and we were just not at the races. Far too many of us had an off night, and that might just be down to the fact that it has been a emotional and difficult time for the team over the last fortnight.GLASGOW newcomer Anders Thomsen had a positive impression of his home circuit having completed several practice laps at Ashfield last weekend ahead of this Sundays clash with Plymouth.Thomsen said: I like it a lot, its a super track. In Denmark we dont have many tracks with banking, so I like this one and being able to run up high. Im really looking forward to racing here on Sunday.IPSWICH face Edinburgh at Foxhall on Thursday with a place in the League Cup Final at stake for the aggregate winners, and the Monarchs take a six-point lead into the meeting from their victory at Armadale.Ipswich boss Pete Simmons said: After the first leg that turning this small deficit around is definitely possible, and the team will now be fully fired up to make sure that they go through to the Final for the second year running where we would face the Newcastle Diamonds.LEICESTER are waiting for news on injured skipper Kauko Nieminen, who missed the Lions last fixture and the Pride of the Midlands due to a knee injury. The East Midlands club return to Premier League action against Sheffield on Saturday.Co-promoter Alan Jones said: The knee he injured is still very swollen. Provided the swelling has subsided Kauko is booked in for a scan on Tuesday and we will know more about the extent of his injury during the week.NEWCASTLE collected five Premier League points from two tough weekend meetings, securing four from a stunning 52-41 win at Edinburgh before being held to a draw at Brough Park by Somerset on Sundaya result boss George English regarded as fair.English said: We now remember why we should never underestimate our opponents as the Rebels raced well and deserved some just rewards. Again one or two of our lads had an iffy night where consistency was at a premium and its something they will work at and make sure we get more nights like at Edinburgh. But it was a superb meeting to watch without doubt and Somerset should be congratulatedtheyre a good team.PLYMOUTH face the prospect of continuing to operate with guest riders as they prepare for a weekend double header with Premier League matches away to Workington and Glasgow on Saturday and Sunday.Devils co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: We are searching all avenues for a new rider, but it is not proving easy. It is not as if there is a queue of number one riders out there waiting to be signed up.REDCAR are building up to a big clash with close rivals Newcastle on Thursday with both sides well-placed in the battle for Premier League play-off places.Manager Jitendra Duffill said: You don't need to sell this fixture to both sets of fans. A close match is in store as rider replacement may even strengthen the Diamonds cause. Meanwhile we hope to be at full strength with the anticipated return of Matej Kus to our ranks. Both sides are in the top six in the table and will want to gain the points to stay there and qualify for the play-offs.RYE HOUSE youngster Ben Morley enjoyed one of his best recent Premier League meetings with a score of eight (paid ten) against Glasgow as the Rockets secured maximum points from a double-header against the Scottish side and Sheffield on Saturday.Morley said: I was really pleased with my performance, which was so important for my confidence. I particularly needed that last one. It got a bit hairy over the last few bends. Henning (Bager) tried to get inside me, but there was just no way I was going to let him through.SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey took the positives from another Eddie Wright Raceway thriller where the Scorpions edged a one-point win over Redcar thanks to a last-heat win from David Howe.Godfrey said: Of course we really wanted that bonus point but there were some real positives to take out of the meeting. Ryan Douglas is starting to show some form and it now gives us two reserves who are scoring. David Howe had four good rides out of five and Josh (Auty) was at his sensational best once again. He is so good round here.SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart is delighted for the Tigers to be staging the third Great Britain v Australia Test Match at Owlerton on Thursday, with World Cup riders Lewis Bridger and Cameron Woodward leading the sides.Hoggart said: I think its going to be a brilliant contest, both sides will be desperate to get one over the old enemy. With the Ashes going on theres a bit of Britain-Australia rivalry at the moment, and I think were set up for a great night of action.SOMERSET boss Garry May says team spirit played a big part in the Rebels successful weekend on the road, with a point gained from a narrow defeat at Somerset and then two from a draw at Newcastle.May said: Ive said it before about this team, but they never know when they are beaten and will keep fighting right to the very end of every match. We have such a great team-spirit here which was emphasised by the way Doyley (Jason Doyle) came back from the Czech Republic after winning a superb bronze medal in the World Cup Final to ride for us at Newcastle. He was determined to be here and lead the team from the front, but every one of the guys played their part this weekend and you cant ask for more than that from your team.WORKINGTON maintained their position on top of the Premier League table following two victories in two days last weekend, in which they came from behind on both occasions to claim victory.Comets team manager Tony Jackson said: Naturally we are delighted to pick up two victories last weekend but we had to work hard in both matches to get the result.Having made a perfect start in our match at Plymouth we fell behind in the middle of the meeting before edging ahead in the latter stages to gain three league points in a last heat decider. Then, 24 hours later, we were made to work very hard at home against a solid Somerset side who led throughout. But, a sensational maximum heat advantage in the final heat from Kyle Howarth and Rene Bach saw us snatch victory by a single point at the end of the match; which is the only time that matters. We now need to maintain our focus to take points from Plymouth, who visit Derwent Park this coming Saturday evening.
FIXTURE PICTURE
TUESDAY JULY 23:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Kings Lynn 7pm
WEDNESDAY JULY 24:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, Kings Lynn v Peterborough 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 25:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30LEAGUE CUP S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30TEST MATCH: GB v Australia, Sheffield 7.45
FRIDAY JULY 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v Kings Lynn 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 27:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Leicester v Sheffield 7.30, Workington v Plymouth 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Rye House v Redcar 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 28:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: Scunthorpe 3pm
MONDAY JULY 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Buxton 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 30:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Kent 7.30BEST PAIRS: Isle of Wight 7pm
WEDNESDAY JULY 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Lakeside 7.30, Poole v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 1:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45
FRIDAY AUGUST 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Birmingham 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Buxton 7.30SCOTTISH OPEN: Edinburgh 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 3:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Leicester v Scunthorpe 7.30, Plymouth v Redcar 7.15, Workington v Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 4:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Rye House 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kings Lynn 4.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Buxton v Dudley 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Coventry 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 6:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Workington 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Dudley 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.30, Kings Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
