(SPEEDWAY 1)
REDCAR manager Jitendra Duffill is hoping strength in depth plays a part as the Bears start their Premier League play-off campaign on Thursday.Duffill’s side take on local rivals Newcastle at the South Teest Motorsports Park after a nervous period of a month without a league meeting during which time their top-six place came under threat.Duffill said: “Luckily most of the team have been riding elsewhere in the enforced break and are delighted that they have at least four extra matches as a reward for their efforts across the season. “There is no doubt that we have drawn a tough group, but all the better for the paying public. The matches will be close and with Max Dilger returning to the side, he forms a strong reserve partnership with Carl Wilkinson and that could prove vital.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD promoter Neil Machin looks set to bring the curtain down on his 21-year reign in charge at Owlerton on Thursday.Machin has put the Tigers up for sale and will give all paying adults a £3 drinks voucher at the Retro Cup clash with Scunthorpe.He said: “When I took over here it was with the intention of making sure there was continuity — and that’s the case now. Whoever comes in will take over a company which is all ready to operate from day one, with no skeletons in the cupboard and which has a real tangible value.“Owlerton is a great venue, we all saw that at the PLRC on Sunday, and the people of Sheffield are lucky to have it. People are fishing around and I will sit down and work things out shortly.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
TOP West Country riders Chris Harris and Ben Barker will figure in some keen and friendly rivalry when they face each other in a special challenge match at Plymouth’s St Boniface Arena on Friday.Harris will make his first appearance in the region for a number of years when he leads an Exeter Select side against a Devils line-up headed by Barker.Plymouth co-promoter Ashley Taylor says: “Chris is one of the top British riders and comes from Cornwall but has never ridden at the St Boniface Arena before, so it will be really interesting to see how he shapes up on our track.”The Devils will also be holding a collection for Ashley Birks, who suffered back injuries in a crash at the venue last Friday. (SPEEDWAY 4)
DUDLEY ran up a 59-31 win over the Isle of Wight in the first leg of the National League play-off semi-final to make themselves firm favourites for a place in the Final.Heathens reserve Dan Greenwood scored a paid maximum from five rides whilst Ashley Morris picked up 14, with Islanders guest Steve Worrall (16) scoring over half of his side’s points. Dudley also confirmed Max Clegg as a club asset prior to the meeting.Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “It's in stark contrast to last year when we struggled in our first leg against Stoke. This time we started a bit slow and it took us a while to get going, but things soon clicked and it was a great win in the end.“It gives us a good lead to take to the Isle of Wight next week, and hopefully we can finish the job off.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
LEICESTER will stage the Midland Development League Riders’ Championship for a second time on Saturday as competitors look to emulate 2012 winner Dan Greenwood.Legendary duo Peter and Les Collins are guests of honour at the event, whilst Les and son Aidan will also ride two demonstration races mounted on prototype 450cc Formula2 speedway bikes.MDL co-ordinator Laurence Rogers said: “Having Peter and Les present on such an occasion as this adds a great deal of prestige to the MDL Championship Final. Without doubt the two brothers are highly respected people in World Speedway and role models for aspiring novices who are setting their sights on becoming a speedway rider. “Both Peter and Les will be on hand for photo opportunities during the course of the evening for a small charge of one pound ‘per click’ and the proceeds will be shared between two worthy causes, the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund and the Ricky Ashworth Fund.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Dudley 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Newcastle 7.30RETRO CUP 1st leg: Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Exeter Select 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Workington v Ipswich 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Redcar 7pm RICKY ASHWORTH BENEFIT MEETING + TROPHY: Berwick v Sheffield 7pmMIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pmLEAGUE CUP FINAL: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 4.30RETRO CUP 2nd leg: Scunthorpe v Sheffield 3pmAIR FENCE BENEFIT CHALLENGE: Buxton 3pm
