BIG EVENT LATESTGREAT Britain boss Neil Middleditch says Birmingham skipper Danny King deserves his place in the Grand Prix Challenge at Poole on Saturday.King has been handed the Wild Card for the Wimborne Road showpiece, where the top three riders will book their tickets to the 2014 Grand Prix series.The Brummies man missed out on a place in the national team for the World Cup last month but Middleditch says he will be fired-up to prove a point.He said: Danny has been in some good form of late. He was left out of the World Cup, which he felt poorly about. Danny is really keen to do well.The problem with the World Cup was I had to name my team for Kings Lynn two weeks before. Riders can dip in form. Danny went the opposite way. He hit form, but I had already named my team.Hes in good form at the moment and hopefully he can get through the Challenge. Hes 26 and he has still got time in the sport.This is the biggest chance hes going to get to get into the Grand Prix. Lets face ithes now five rides away from being in the World Championship.GP CHALLENGE LINE-UPPoole, August 24, 6.30pm: Vaclav Milik (Cze), Maciej Janowski (Pol), Krzysztof Kasprzak (Pol), Alexandr Loktaev (Ukr), Timo Lahti (Fin), Hans Andersen (Den), Kenneth Bjerre (Den), Troy Batchelor (Aus), Danny King (GB), Niels-Kristian Iversen (Den), Tomas H Jonasson (Swe), Michael Jepsen Jensen (Den), Piotr Pawlicki (Pol), Martin Smolinski (Ger), Matej Zagar (Slov), Daniel Nermark (Swe). Reserves: Jurica Pavlic (Cro), Peter Kildemand (Den).

DUDLEY are celebrating a double of National League major events victories after adding the Fours title at Stoke last Sunday to the Pairs crown they won earlier in the campaign.Paul Starke was unbeaten throughout the day for the Heathens but Lewis Blackbird was their last-heat hero as he got the better of Kents Steve Boxall to secure the win.Dudley, Kent and Mildenhall had all gone into the final race level on 11 points with Kings Lynn just two behind in one of the closest battles ever seen in the eventthe Heathens having recovered from failing to score in the first two heats.Boxall had not dropped a point in his three rides earlier in the meeting but Blackbird made the start from the inside and held off the Kent man to the delight of the large travelling support, with second place overall still a fine result for the Kings in their first season at this level.Defending Champions Mildenhall had to be content with third place with Kings Lynn just behind in fourth.Heathens skipper Ashley Morris, who had joined Blackbird for the Pairs win in June, said: Im delighted weve managed to pull off the victory for our magnificent supporters.Things were looking bad for us at the start in the final but we turned it around superbly and weve now got another trophy in the cabinet.

GREAT Britain have clinched the Test series with a thumping 67-23 win over Australia at Newcastle last Sunday.Maximums for Richie Worrall, Craig Cook and Josh Auty headed up a perfect all-round display from GB, who are now assured of overall victory as they have taken a 3-1 lead.The final round of the series will take place at Workington, with the Comets having moved quickly to re-schedule the meeting which was to take place last Saturday but had to be postponed due to rain.The series therefore concludes at Derwent Park on September 14 with Australia seeking consolation in what was a close-fought competition in the first three meetings.Workington co-promoter Tony Jackson said: We were all really disappointed to have to call off Saturdays eagerly awaited Test Match with just under three hours to go after a lot of hard work had been put in by many people to try and make it happen. The track stood up to the morning rain superbly and once it stopped in mid-afternoon it began to dry out well and the meeting was most definitely going ahead. But, a short and very intense shower shortly after 4pm proved to be too much to cope with and reluctantly we had no option but to call the meeting off. However, we would like to thank both Phil Morris and Mark Lemon for their co-operation in being able to arrange a re-staging date for the fixture so quickly.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: DUDLEYNATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Sept 21BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2: PIOTR PAWLICKIGRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Poole, August 24

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BELLE VUE collected a third straight home win with a hard-fought 49-41 victory over title-chasing Birmingham at Kirkmanshulme Lane, fighting back from a six-point deficit to take maximum points from the meeting.Aces captain Craig Cook said: It was very tight there for a while, but to gain all three points against Birmingham is just amazing for us. We're really building on the past few weeks and I believe we're getting stronger and stronger.It's a shame we tailed off a little in the middle of the year, after we had such a great start to the season, but things have really picked up for us lately and we've got the momentum going again. I'm doing my very best as captain to keep everyone geed up, and there's such a great team spirit in the pits again.BIRMINGHAM skipper Danny King had no complaints as his side suffered another disappointment on the road, going down to a 49-41 defeat at Belle Vue on Monday.King said: We seemed to start well and then the wheels fell off towards the end.We normally pick up form towards the end of the meeting but it wasnt the case today, whether its because Bomber (Chris Harris) is still struggling with his collarbone or not we dont know, but what we do know is we have Peterborough on Wednesday and thats going to be no easy task so we must pick our game up.COVENTRY promoter Mick Horton says riders are racing for their futures in their final five matches of the season, with the Bees having been unable to sustain a play-off challenge despite a fine run of home form earlier in the summer.Horton said: The recent performances, especially away from home, have been totally unacceptable. Neither team manager Gary Havelock nor myself are happy at all, and although the riders are trying their hardest the performances just have not been good enough, and we apologise to supporters for this.There is a lot to think about at the moment looking forward, and obviously its possible that we may need to go back to, or close to, the drawing board when we look at 2014.EASTBOURNE kept up their good run of home form with a 53-39 win over play-off chasing Kings Lynn at Arlington, their scorechart being led by the rejuvenated Simon Gustafsson with paid-15.Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: It was a fantastic display by all the lads. Kings Lynn normally put up a good show here and I expected a tough meeting  but in the end it was all about our boys, Simon and Timo (Lahti), and Mikkel (Michelsen) came good at the end with a couple of superb paid wins.I think whoever we faced would have had a tough time against Eastbourne. Kim Nilsson bounced back after suffering an injury last week and looked really fast - certainly its been a good night for us, a great win and were very proud of all the lads.KINGS LYNN star Rory Schlein admits he found himself in a bizarre situation when he was given the all-clear to resume racing when the broken leg he had been diagnosed with in Poland was actually found to be a sprained ankle.Schlein told edp24.co.uk: Mentally I had accepted my season was over. I had started to make plans for next year. My mindset had changed, the pressure of racing had gone.Now Ive had to turn it back on and do things like making sure my mechanics are available. Its a strange on. Its sure hard to explain how I feelIve gone from being told I had a broken leg to not having one.LAKESIDE are determined to extend their season with qualification for the play-offswith co-promoter Jon Cook confirming that should the Hammers fail to make it, this Fridays crunch clash with Poole will be the end of the senior campaign at PurfleetCook said: Our crowds have proved time and again that they are only interested in watching official fixtures in suitable numbers and, therefore, there will be no more senior action if we fail to qualify for the play-offs. I know the boys are determined this will not be the last Essex will see of the 2013 Vortex Hammers.PETERBOROUGHS charge up the Elite League table continued with a 58-36 win over Lakeside at home on Monday to add to last weeks away win at Poolemeaning the Panthers have scored 17 points from their last five matches.Peterborough coach Ryan Sullivan said: Its been a great team effort. Everyone in the team is scoring points and the atmosphere is really good with everyone working together.Were not looking too far ahead just yet, were taking things one meeting at a time and thats now seven in a row that we havent lost. Weve had a few good away meetings where weve picked up a lot of points, so after a slow start to the year were certainly coming back strong.POOLE manager Neil Middleditch admits his side need to hit back immediately after dropping to a surprise home defeat against Peterborough, which opens up the Elite Leagues play-off race.Middleditch said: We said before the meeting we couldn't really afford to slip up at home, but we have done and that just puts more pressure on our remaining meetings. It's not an impossible goal, it's certainly a tough one, but we will have to bounce back from this and be ever stronger for it.SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter admits finishing top of the table ahead of the play-offs would be an additional bonus as the Robins step up their defence of the Elite League title.Rossiter said: Were in a good position and I admit I would like to see us finish top and have first pick of opposition. But we won the title last year after finishing second, so it wont be the end of the road for us if we dont do itbut it would be nice.We beat Belle Vue on their last visit here so hopefully we can do the same and we need all our supporters to come down (on Thursday) and get right behind the boys for this one.WOLVERHAMPTON star Adam Skornicki hopes a lack of regular racing action does not have a negative impact on his form, with the Monmore men set for a place in the Elite League play-offs.Skornicki said: Im not doing enough meetings and I hope it doesnt cost us later in the season. I understand the very top riders who are in the GP and all the other leagues dont want to be so busy in England, but thats no good to riders like me.Its nice for me to be back riding in British Speedway, especially with Wolverhampton, and we have done wellbut we need to keep it going for the play-offs.

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BERWICK boss Ian Rae admitted his side were left in a tough situation by losing Kozza Smith and Nicki Barrett to injury in the weekend clash with Somerset, with the Rebels taking full advantage over the closing stages.Rae said: Somerset are a hard enough side when you have a full side firing well, but even before we lost both Kozza and Nicki they were starting to erode our lead and once we were down to five men there really wasn't much doubt that we'd have problems - which we did and, well done to Somerset for taking the win.EDINBURGH were indebted to guest reserve Josh Bates in their 49-41 win over title rivals Somerset at Armadale, as the Mildenhall regular won two races late in the meeting including getting the better of Rebels No.1 Jason Doyle.Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: It was a great meeting between two very good sides and what a bonus it was for us to get two race wins from our young reserve.GLASGOW boss Sean Courtney was left cursing the Tigers misfortune has his side missed out on a long-awaited victory in a last-heat decider against Somerset on Sunday.Courtney told The Glaswegian: We are all working hard and the fans are turning out in numbers, and we deserve some luck but we are just not getting that. We feel like we are getting our heart ripped out all the time. We had a lot of bad luck, bad decisions against us that cost us the match.IPSWICH have switched their riding order for the visit of Plymouth to Foxhall on Thursday, with Morten Risager and captain Leigh Lanham exchanging places in the team.Witches boss Pete Simmons said: Plymouth have made plenty of changes during the season due to long term injuries and also lack of form. They are sure to put up a better show than when they were last here. Its in no way a meeting we can take for granted but a good result on Thursday will set us up nicely for the busy weekend ahead.LEICESTER will continue to operate rider-replacement for injured skipper Kauko Nieminen for a vital Bank Holiday fixture programme, whilst Alex Edberg will definitely miss the home match against Berwick on Sunday.Lions co-promoter Alan Jones said: After the win at Redcar last week we are back in the frame for a top six finish and it is very much in our own hands now whether we succeed or not. There are two teams in the top six who are within our reach and we have to believe that we can overhaul one of them in the final reckoning. But to do that we have to gain all three match points against Berwick on Sunday and go to Scunthorpe the next day and pick up at the very least a draw which will give us another two match points. It is going to be tight but if we duplicate the same can do attitude as we did to surprise the Redcar team then anything is possible.NEWCASTLES new signing Anton Rosen is set for a busy debut weekend with the Diamonds as the club face the trip to Workington on Saturday before hosting the Comets the following evening.Newcastle boss George English said: Anton comes to us with the assistance of Ludvig (Lindgren), who will no doubt be instrumental in helping his fellow countryman settle down. We are back in the groove of Premier League encounters this coming weekend and what an action-packed two days we have to look forward to.PLYMOUTH newcomer Kalle Katajisto has been ruled out for the rest of the season after crashing on his debut at Scunthorpe, with the Devils moving to bring in ex-Scorpions rider Michael Palm Toft as his replacement.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: Kalle was detained in the Hull Royal Infirmary over the weekend and has fractures to his jaw bone, which will require an operation. It was unfortunate for Kalle, who must have had one of the shortest of debut meetings.REDCAR boss Brian Havelock says visiting Glasgow duo Joe Screen and James Grieves, who both retire at the end of the season, should be given a warm welcome ahead of Thursdays meeting at the South Tees Motorsports Park.Havelock said: I am sure that both Joe and James will get a rousing reception when they are introduced on the pre-match parade and we all wish them well in their impending retirement. However, sentiment must not get in the way of our task to turn a recent bad run of results around and get maximum points to allow us to stay in contention for a play-off place. It is getting too tight for comfort.RYE HOUSE boss John Sampford accepted the final result had been fair as the Rockets and Ipswich fought out a 45-45 draw at Hoddesdon in difficult conditions due to rain.Sampford said: A draw was the fair result. Because of the wet weather, the track had to be prepared slick in order to get through the meeting, but that also made gating paramount. Although it was a team effort, particular credit has to go to Ben (Morley), who is less experienced at this level than the other riders, but really used his head to ride sensibly in the conditions. Apart from one race where he fell, he scored good points consistently throughout the night.   SCUNTHORPES former captain Wayne Carter, now 42, will lead a Halifax Dukes side into action at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Monday in the second half of a double-header following the Scorpions v Leicester Premier League encounter.Meeting organiser Richard Hollingsworth said: Itll be great to see Wayne back in a competitive meeting.  He comes from Halifax, so he was the natural choice to lead out the Dukes next Monday. He also has major connections with Scunthorpe and sometimes I think that maybe not enough is said of the great work he does at this club.SHEFFIELD will again track Richard Lawson as a guest for the injured Simon Stead when they face Sheffield on Thursday, with Jason Bunyan and Oliver Greenwood also stepping in for the Tigers.Co-promoter Neil Machin said: We have burnt the midnight oil patching up our team and we really hope we can push Scunthorpe hard. As always we thank the guys who are stepping in for us and we will continue to scour the sport to see what we can do in terms of rebuilding the team, but so far a combination of factors have made it impossible.SOMERSET are riding high after a successful Northern tour brought wins at both Berwick and Glasgow and the strong possibility of a high finish in the Premier League table ahead of the play-offs.Rebels boss Garry May said: Our boys are riding well at the moment and we are determined not to let the good work of last weekend go to waste as we look for a top two place in the Premier League to take us into the play-offs. It would be great to see the Oaktree Arena packed with Rebels fans to cheer the team on against Ipswich on Friday in what has all the makings of being another classic encounter.WORKINGTON are looking forward to their home and away clashes with their nearest rivals geographically over the Bank Holiday weekend, with both the Comets and Newcastle well aware that the outcome of the two matches will have a big bearing on their play-off aspirations.Comets team manager Tony Jackson said: Everyone at the club knows that this weekend is a big one, and with the top six places tightening up there are seven clubs chasing those six places and no-one wants to be the unlucky team that misses out. We were sat on top of the table for a few weeks but we knew that the clubs behind us had matches in hand, and now a few of those matches have turned into points.However, if we can make sure we get something out of this weekend then it can only help our cause in trying to claim a top-six finish. It promises to be a terrific weekend for the fans and I am sure both clubs will take plenty of supporters away with them. Down the years matches between the Comets and the Diamonds have always been very hard-fought, and occasionally tinged with incident and controversy, so anything could happen this weekend.FIXTURE PICTURE

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

THURSDAY AUGUST 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Plymouth 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45

FRIDAY AUGUST 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Coventry 7.30, Lakeside v Poole 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.15, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 24:GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Poole 6.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Workington v Newcastle 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 25:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Ipswich 3pm, Leicester v Berwick 7.30, Newcastle v Workington 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Dudley 3pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 4.30

MONDAY AUGUST 26:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Peterborough 7.30, Poole v Swindon 4pm, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Berwick 2pm, Scunthorpe v Leicester 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Dudley 3pmBRITISH 125cc FINAL: Rye House (follows PL fixture)CHALLENGE: Scunthorpe Select v Halifax (follows PL fixture)

TUESDAY AUGUST 27:PREMIER LEAGUE  KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Isle of Wight 7.30

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30, Kings Lynn v Lakeside 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 29:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Poole 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.45TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Sheffield 7.15PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30SATURDAY AUGUST 31:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Birmingham 7pm, Eastbourne v Peterborough (follows previous match)PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Scunthorpe 6pm, Leicester v Edinburgh 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Rye House v Redcar (follows PL fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Kings Lynn 7pmTYNE/TWEED TROPHY: Berwick v Newcastle 7pmSUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Sheffield 3pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Mildenhall 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Lakeside 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Isle of Wight 6.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Buxton 7.30, Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Stoke 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30