(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORLD Champion Tai Woffinden has admitted 2013 was always a make-or-break campaign as he looked to establish himself at the top level of the sport.Woffinden was a rank outsider when he was handed a return to the Grand Prix series, but he quickly became a title contender and after 12 gruelling rounds he secured the crown in Torun last weekend – the first British rider to do so since Mark Loram in 2000.He said: “The year was one last push for me to make a success out of being a professional speedway rider. I went to Australia seriously considering my future and I thought about turning my back on speedway, I don't mind admitting that.“I want to thank all the people who had faith in me when I was handed the wild card. I know there were some who thought I wasn't up to it but once I had decided to give it a real push this year I was confident in my ability to at least finish in the top eight.“It’s been a whirlwind few days since Torun. My phone has been red hot with media enquiries, my twitter feed went crazy and I want to thank everyone for their messages of congratulations.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
PETERBOROUGH star Joonas Kylmakorpi has been ruled out of the club’s final fixture of the Elite League season with a shoulder injury.The World Longtrack Champion crashed in Poland recently and misses out on the clash with Belle Vue on Friday, with the Panthers keen to end a positive second half of the campaign on a high.Co-promoter Trevor Swales said: “We all want to finish off with a win and show everyone one last time just what we could have done if only we’d reached the play-offs.“In the end our run of form came just too late for that but it’s still been a great effort and we don’t want to spoil it at the end.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
THE Isle of Wight have been boosted by the return from injury of skipper Ben Hopwood ahead of their KO Cup semi-final replay against Mildenhall.Hopwood has been out of action since mid-August but his comeback is well-timed for the Islanders, for whom Brendan Johnson is now on the sidelines with shoulder damage after a crash this week.The first leg of the replay takes place at West Row on Sunday with the Islanders hosting the return on Tuesday, and the winners face Dudley in the Final.Islanders co-boss Chris Hunt said: “It’s great news indeed that Ben will be riding in the replay first leg up in Suffolk, especially with Brendan now being out, and his return really has given the club a real boost ahead of it.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)DUDLEY co-promoter Gary Patchett is hoping the Heathens’ National League title success will enable them to step up their bid to secure land for their own stadium.The former Cradley club reformed in 2010 and have staged the majority of their home matches at Monmore Green, and it is nearly two decades since the doors closed on their famous Dudley Wood venue.Patchett said: “Without the continued support of Chris Van Straaten our club would be without a track. It’s as simple as that. I’m sure I speak for each and every Heathen when I send my very sincere thanks to him and all of his ‘Monmore Wood’ staff that make the Heathens welcome. “Having brought some overdue success to the Borough of Dudley in our fourth year of racing, there could not now be a more appropriate time for the club to receive the recognition that we surely deserve and to finally secure a home that we can call our own.”
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Somerset v Newcastle 7.30SCOTTISH CUP 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Newcastle v Somerset 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F REPLAY 1st leg: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 3.30EAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Coventry Select v Leicester Select 12pm, Leicester Select v Coventry Select 6pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 14:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Birmingham v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 15:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F REPLAY 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7pm
