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BRITISH Youth bosses have named the ten seeded riders for the Cradley-staged British Under-21 Final at Monmore Green on April 15.The top ten Under-21 riders from the 2013 season have received automatic places in the Final, and the line-up is also known for the semi-final at Plymouth on March 22, from which the top six finishers will progress.Co-boss Neil Vatcher said: “Out of the ten seeds, eight of the current top ten go into the 2014 season riding in the top flight of British Speedway, either being chosen to represent an Elite League club through the fast track system, or in the case of Kyle Howarth and Robert Lambert being selected for a top five team spot for their respective clubs.“The most pleasing factor of the semi-final is that all but one National League club is being represented, which goes to show that there is a good selection of young British talent across the country.”
BRITISH U21 FINAL SEEDS: Kyle Howarth (Coventry & Workington), Jason Garrity (Coventry & Rye House), Stefan Nielsen (Belle Vue & Coventry Storm), Adam Ellis (Lakeside & Ipswich), Ashley Morris (Wolverhampton & Workington), Joe Jacobs (Wolverhampton, Peterborough & Mildenhall), Tom Perry (Leicester & Cradley), Robert Lambert (King’s Lynn), Robert Branford (Unattached), Josh Bates (Sheffield & Mildenhall).
BRITISH U21 SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP: James Sarjeant (Coventry & Coventry Storm), Ben Morley (Lakeside & Kent), Oliver Greenwood (Peterborough & Coventry Storm), Max Clegg (Leicester & Cradley), Darryl Ritchings (Swindon & King’s Lynn Young Stars), Dan Greenwood (Coventry Storm), Jack Kingston (Mildenhall), Nathan Greaves (Cradley), Connor Coles (Mildenhall), Tom Woolley (Buxton), James Shanes (Devon), Brandon Freemantle (Kent), Danny Phillips (Cradley), Ryan Terry-Daley (Coventry Storm), Connor Mountain (Mildenhall), Rob Shuttleworth (Stoke). Reserves: Adam Kirby (Unattached), Danno Verge (Unattached).
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BERWICK youngster Liam Carr has withdrawn from the British Under-21 Championship in order to attend his club’s press and practice – which takes place on the same day as the semi-final at Plymouth.The decision has been taken after consultation with the British Youth management, who stress it will not rule Carr out of consideration for other Under-21 events.Co-boss Neil Vatcher said: “Liam was named in the original line-up for the semi-final, but after speaking to both Berwick and Liam it was felt that because this is his first year with his hometown club it would be best for him to attend their press day due to their local sponsors being in attendance on the day.“The Young Lions Management have high regard for both Berwick Speedway and Liam Carr, and although Liam will not being competing in this years 2014 British Under-21 semi-final or Final, he will be considered for future Under-21 events if he continues the progress that he has already shown to date.”
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SCOTT Nicholls is the latest big name to be added to Wolverhampton's opening meeting of the season.The multi British champion will appear in the Banks's Olympique Classic at Monmore on Monday, March 17.Wolves owner Chris Van Straaten said: “We are delighted to welcome Scott to the event. It wouldn't be a Banks's meeting without Scott being in the line-up, he is one of the most spectacular and popular performers at Monmore Green and always enjoys his visits here.“Added to the fact that he is riding for Belle Vue, a fellow Monday night track, this year it means we probably won't get as many opportunities to see him at Monmore apart from official fixtures when the Aces visit.”
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POLISH champions Zielona Gora are set to visit King’s Lynn on March 19 to take part in the inaugural International Pre-Season Cup.A King’s Lynn Select side, featuring six of the Stars’ seven Elite League regulars, will face a Zielona team including the likes of Jarek Hampel, Andreas Jonsson, Piotr Protasiewicz and World Under-21 Champion Patryk Dudek in a meeting promoted by Team Player Management Company.Lynn No.1 Niels-Kristian Iversen said: “I know all about Zielona Gora, I spent four seasons with them before moving to their rivals Gorzow in 2011. It is always nice to ride against them, and it is going to be good to beat them.“If we can attract some interest from the speedway world, these challenge meetings can help the riders. We get another meeting and it is a real test. It’s not like we are racing a team from the same league, it is something different and a real test.”
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WORKINGTON have been boosted by the return of main team sponsors Thomas Armstrong Holdings ahead of the new Premier League campaign.The Comets have retained the backing of the construction services company for an eighth successive season, with new deals also completed for their other Key Partners.Owner Laura Morgan said: “The backing of such high profile and well respected Cumbrian based businesses is invaluable to us and we are very appreciative of their continued support of the Comets as we embark on what we hope will be a very successful season for all parties.“As a new promotional team last season we were very pleased with the support we got from all of our sponsors but especially Thomas Armstrong, J. Edgar & Son and ast signs, whose assistance throughout the season was instrumental in what was a successful first season for us as promoters.”(SPEEDWAY 6)
KENT have named Simon Lambert as their new captain for 2014 – after a vote amongst riders and management.Lambert, who is set to race at all three levels of domestic British Speedway this season, will be supported as vice-captain of the National League outfit by David Mason.Co-promoter Len Silver said: “It is good for the club to be led by such an enthusiastic and experienced racer who can set a fine example to the rest of the team. “I was aware that Simon really wanted the position and the vote proved that the rest of the side endorsed his wish.”
