BIG EVENT LATESTTHE countdown is on to the Grand Prix Challenge at Poolewith just three places available in next years series from one of the most hotly-contested events of the season.The Wimborne Road venue stages the event on Saturday August 24 as it returns to the UK for the first time since 2009 when Magnus Zetterstrom took a sensational win at Coventry, in the meeting which also made future World Champion Chris Holder a GP regular.Several current Grand Prix stars use the qualification series as an insurance policy to book their places for the following season in case they miss out on the top eight and an automatic return ticket.But there will also be a number of new faces looking to make an impact on the World Championship, including British Elite League regulars, and with only the top three going through there is no margin for error.Host club Poole are already guaranteed a representative in the event with former World Under-21 Champion Maciej Janowski having qualified from the semi-final at Lonigo in Juneand on current form, many will fancy his chances of emulating mentor Greg Hancock in reaching the GP series.Swindon skipper Hans Andersen, a former Poole man, is also targeting a quick return to the GP, and other Elite League riders confirmed as starters are Matej Zagar (Belle Vue), Martin Smolinski (Birmingham) and Troy Batchelor (Swindon) as well as former Peterborough man Michael Jepsen Jensen.The line-up was to be completed in recent days with the delayed staging of the Danish semi-final, which was moved to Holsted (August 7) following a double rain-off earlier in the season.British hopes of automatic qualification for the Challenge rested with Edward Kennett, whilst current GP men Niels-Kristian Iversen and Krzysztof Kasprzak were also involvedas well as the Pawlicki brothers, who have both had recent spells with Poole.*MILDENHALL will defend their National League Fours title at Stoke on Sunday August 18 (3pm).All eight clubs from the third tier will be represented in one of the most popular events on the calendar at that level.Dudley will be seeking a major events double, having already triumphed in the National League Pairs at Mildenhall in June through Ashley Morris and Lewis Blackbird.Blackbird was part of the victorious Mildenhall quartet in the Fours last season as his side finished ahead of Buxton, Dudley and Stoke in the Final, whilst league newcomers Kent and Coventry will make their debuts in the event.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 2: Berwick, August 10GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Poole, August 24
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BELLE VUE boss Jason Attwood admits recent home postponements have not been welcome as the Aces look to bounce back from recent heavy losses at Poole and Swindon.Attwood told the Manchester Evening News: Like in any sport when you have two embarrassing defeats like we had, the best way to counteract it is to get back on a bike at our home track and get back to winning ways.A week away gives us time to lick our wounds, but I dont like licking my wounds for too long.BIRMINGHAMS injured duo Chris Harris and Nico Covatti have both undergone operations after suffering a broken collarbone and broken wrist respectively.Brummies co-promoter Graham Drury told the Birmingham Mail: Chris is even talking about riding at Wolverhampton on Monday, its remarkable. Personally I feel thats a bit ambitious but its down to him and how he responds from surgery.Nico is in Italy and is seeing the same specialist who looks after Valentino Rossi, so hes an expert in sports injuries and he will do whatever he can to get him back to us quickly.COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock admits the nature of the Bees defeat at Poole last Wednesday leaves several riders needing to impress him over their remaining matches this season.Havelock said: We seemed to be making some headway with seven straight home wins and the win at Peterborough, but in these last three meetings the wheels have just come off in a big way.Its very difficult now, but at the end of the day Ill be telling the boys that from now until the end of the season theyre riding for their team places. If they want to ride for Coventry theyve got to show it.EASTBOURNES impressive new signing Mikkel Michelsen says he has taken advice from Danish legends to make the decision to ride regularly in the UK.Michelsen told Speedway Star: I race in Germany and in the Danish league, but its a good learning school over here.All the old legends, people like Erik (Gundersen) and Ole (Olsen) told me to go over here and get some experience.LAKESIDE staged a remarkable late rally to get the better of Birmingham with three 5-1s in the last three races to make sure of all three points at Purfleet last Friday.Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook told the club website: At Heat 12 I thought well do well to get anything out of tonight and then weve won the meeting before Heat 15. That was true grit from the four riders in those last three races, although full credit to Lewis Bridger for teaming up with PK (Peter Karlsson) on the two 5-1's that kept us in it before the finale. There are no second chances at this stage of the season and that could prove to be the three heats that define our year.KINGS LYNN have suffered a further injury blow with Rory Schlein now on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg in Poland at the weekend.The Stars return to Elite League action against Belle Vue at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday although they will be without both Niels-Kristian Iversen and Andzejs Lebedevs due to the World Championship qualifying semi-final in Denmark.PETERBOROUGH gave their season a huge boost with a sensational comeback to win at Swindon last Thursday, and the Panthers have now moved off the bottom of the Elite League table.Co-promoter Trevor Swales said: Kenneth (Bjerre) was unlucky not to get a maximum, it was a brilliant performance, and as for Patrick (Hougaard) I really dont know what to say about the ladit was top-drawer stuff, and for a reserve to go out and win Heat 15 away from home, thats something you dont see very often.I wont say too much yet, but at least now we could be back in with a bit of a shout. If we can carry this form on in our next few meetings I dont see any reason why we cant climb the table quickly.POOLE newcomer Greg Hancock was delighted with the reception he received on his Pirates debut, with the American star scoring ten points in the win over Eastbourne on Monday.Hancock said: I have been very grateful to Chris (Holder) for helping me out tonight and was rapt by the welcome I was given by the supporters here. It's good to be here at last and lets hope we can keep the points flowing.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is refusing to press the panic button after seeing his side go down to a shock home defeat to Peterborough last week.Rossiter said: Im not concerned because I knew this could be a slip-up once I knew Peter (Kildemand) wasnt here, and while I could go overboard and criticise people at the end of the day it was one of those nights to park and move on.Our reserves have to buck their ideas up, they know that, but we know our top five are so powerful.WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Freddie Lindgren is hoping he can return to full fitness in the near future following his recent comeback from an arm injury.Lindgren said: It's been difficult but my arm is getting better every day, and I hope I can get back up to speed as soon as possible."We have quite a lot of fixtures coming up for Wolves, and I really want to put in some good performances for the team to help us finish top.
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BERWICK manager Ian Rae said the Bandits win over Edinburgh last Saturday, secured in a last-heat decider with David Bellego giving an outstanding display, was one the riders were desperate to achieve for seriously injured No.1 Ricky Ashworth.Rae said: We spoke to the lads after the Scunthorpe match and to a man they wanted to race tonight and dedicate their performances to Ricky and what a performance it was to beat the favourites for the League title by two points in a last-heat decider.EDINBURGH boss Alex Harkess admitted the Monarchs 44-46 narrow defeat at Berwick came as a slight setback, although he still took the positives from a point gained.Harkess said: Im disappointed that having got our noses in front we couldnt finish the job but an away point is always useful.GLASGOW suffered at the hands of former favourite Josh Grajczonek who inspired a Rye House victory at Ashfield last Sunday.The Tigers next opportunity to end their troubled sequence of results comes with a trip to Sheffield on Thursday.IPSWICH boss Pete Simmons was pleased with a solid display from his side to get the better of Berwick 56-37 at Foxhall and keep themselves very much in the frame for a play-off place.Simmons said: Mission accomplished as we got the three points and it was achieved with every rider in the team performing well. Now to get the same result over Redcar to keep those league points coming in.LEICESTER co-promoter Alan Jones admits dropped home points could prove costly and puts more pressure on their forthcoming away trips to Rye House and Redcar.Jones said: We are making it really difficult for ourselves to remain in the top six and a play-off position at the end of the season. Whilst all the leading teams have dropped points at home our record is the worst of them all because in five out of the eight wins we have not collected the maximum three match points.NEWCASTLE put on a power-packed performance to defeat Sheffield 66-29 at Brough Park with Richie Worrall and Andrew Tully unbeatento gain revenge from a 41-49 loss at Owlerton three nights earlier.Diamonds manager George English said: This was a highly satisfying victory, especially after the manner in which the match was won by Sheffield down in Yorkshire on Thursday. All the lads pulled their weight and scored brilliantly well.PLYMOUTH have a major concern over skipper Cory Gathercole, who picked up a knee injury in the Devils home match against Rye House just over a month ago.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: We are awaiting the results of a scan to assess the full extent of the injury. We will have to look at the long term situation and consider the options once we have had a discussion with Cory.REDCAR promoter Brian Havelock is desperate for the Bears to maintain their momentum from an impressive win at Plymouth when Scunthorpe visit the Eddie Wright Raceway on Thursday.Havelock said: We must ensure that we win our home matches in order to maintain an eventual top six finish and therefore a play-off place. Similar to last season when they made an inspired signing and finished strongly to take the title, Scunthorpe have woven their magic again with the acquisition of Nicolai Klindt. It is going to be tough on Thursday but that is great news for the paying public.RYE HOUSE raced to a remarkable away win at Glasgow, taking the verdict 47-43 despite tracking a weakened sidewith guest No.1 Josh Grajczonek scoring an outstanding maximum.Promoter Len Silver said: This was an astonishing victory given the weakness of the side, and one achieved on a very difficult track. Josh was totally brilliant, closely followed by Jason Bunyan with a captains performance. But all the boys gave their absolute all.SCUNTHORPE battled their way to a point from their away match at Leicester on Saturday, with a last-heat 4-2 from Thomas Jorgensen and Nicolai Klindt leaving them beaten by just three on the night.Scorpions boss Dave Peet said: We had a few wounded soldiers in the camp, but the boys showed a lot of grit and determination, and weve come out with it with a point. It was particularly satisfying to see the reserves scoring so wellthey kept us in it.SOMERSET boosted their top-six hopes with a convincing 58-33 home win over Redcar, with boss Garry May impressed with the debut of new signing Simon Lambert.May said: After nerves got the better of him in his opening ride, Lambo was definitely on the pace and rode better than his final score would suggest. So thats another three league points safely in the locker, but we cant rest on our laurels as we have an important week of matches coming up.SHEFFIELD suffered a night to forget at Newcastle, going down 29-66 and seeing Facundo Albin, Damien Koppe and Joe Haines all suffering knocks which leave them battling to be fit for this weeks matches.Co-boss David Hoggart said: Thankfully there are no broken bones for Facu. Damien aggravated his old shoulder injury and Joe was also complaining of pain in the shoulder from a previous knock in training. As everyone can imagine we were all a bit down after the meeting and we await further updates ahead of this weeks meetings.WORKINGTON are sweating on the fitness of reserve Ashley Morris for this weekends home fixture against Scunthorpe on Sunday - on what promises to be a great day for the fans, with two meetings taking place at two different venues in the town.Comets manager Tony Jackson said: Ashley hurt his wrist on Sunday evening at Stoke when riding for Dudley and following a visit to his local hospital it appears there is no break, just strained ligamentm and hopefully he will be fit to ride at home to Scunthorpe on Sunday evening.Sunday sees Round 5 of the British Youth Championship take place nearby at the excellent Northside Training Track, starting at 2pm, so it is a perfect opportunity for fans to take in that meeting in the afternoon and then come over to ours for 7pm. Hopefully both events can benefit from each other with good crowds and fine weather!
FIXTURE PICTURE
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.30, Kings Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 8:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Glasgow 7.45
FRIDAY AUGUST 9:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Eastbourne 7.45, Peterborough v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 10WORLD UNDER-21 FINAL Round 2: Berwick 7pmSKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Redcar 7.30, Plymouth v Somerset 7.15, Rye House v Leicester 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Leicester v Rye House 7.30, Newcastle v Redcar 7pm, Workington v Scunthorpe 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent 3pmSPRING TROPHY 2nd leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pmDANNY KING TESTIMONIAL: Birmingham 8pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 5: Northside 2pm
MONDAY AUGUST 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Kings Lynn 7.30, Wolverhampton v Birmingham 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Coventry 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 13:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Stoke 7.30, Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Sheffield 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Kent 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Leicester 7.30, Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.45
FRIDAY AUGUST 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Kings Lynn 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Somerset 7pm, Rye House v Ipswich 7pmTEST MATCH: GB v Australia, Workington 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke 3.30TEST MATCH: GB v Australia, Newcastle 6.30
MONDAY AUGUST 19:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Birmingham 7.30, Eastbourne v Kings Lynn 7.30, Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Stoke 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 20:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Peterborough 7.30, Kings Lynn v Coventry 7.30
