(SPEEDWAY 1)
DEFENDING Champion Tai Woffinden sailed into the British Final with a 15-point maximum in Wednesday’s semi-final at Rye House.Woffinden reeled off five straight wins to head the qualifiers, and he was joined in the top three on the night by home man Steve Boxall and Lewis Blackbird, with Lewis Bridger and Richard Lawson also going through after all four riders finished on eleven points.The final two automatic qualifiers were Richie Worrall and Jason Garrity, whilst Stefan Nielsen defeated Leigh Lanham in a run-off for eighth place with Wild Card spots for the Final to be named.Woffinden said: “I am really pleased with the way things went and to win races again. It’s always good to come back here to Rye House – it’s one of my favourite tracks – and I really appreciate the warm reception I always get. I’m really looking forward to the Final and the chance to defend my title.”Boxall said: “I am absolutely delighted with the way tonight went. This is my first British Championship, so to get through to the Final is a just a dream come true. I had a good first race, and it just all went from there as I felt so sharp out of the gate.”Blackbird said: “This is the best thing I’ve done in my career so far. It was a good line-up last night and I never expected to get through. I’m over the moon to reach the Final.”(SPEEDWAY 2 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
KENNETH Bjerre is an injury concern for King’s Lynn after the Stars’ 53-43 win over Leicester at the Norfolk Arena.Bjerre was taken to hospital after a Heat 15 crash with early reports indicating a collarbone injury for the Danish rider.Fast-track reserves Lewis Kerr and Lewis Rose piled up a total of 18 (paid 21) between them in support of No.1 Niels-Kristian Iversen (12+1), whilst for the visitors Mads Korneliussen (13+1) and Jason Doyle (13) both won tactical rides and Simon Stead took three race wins.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “We just could not get going early on but found some form to make amends after a poor start. The two tactical rides by Mads and Jason pulled us back into the match but the tapes exclusion for Doyley in Heat 11 was a blow as I could see that with Simon going so well we may have gained something out of that race. “Hats off to King's Lynn, they are a very good home side but in the end we gave them something to think about.”Meanwhile Poole were limited to two points at home by battling Birmingham, who led by six points after Heat 7 before a strong Pirates recovery saw them come through for a 48-42 win.Chris Holder won the final race for the home side, but Brummies duo Ben Barker and Daniel Nermark secured a point with Nermark pulling off a fine ride to re-pass Przemyslaw Pawlicki.Holder said: “It was tough out there with the mid-meeting rain. Whenever there is a change in conditions it always tends to favour the visiting side. It played into Birmingham’s hands a bit.“In the end, we managed to pull through for the win. But dropping that league point could prove crucial.”Brummies boss Jack Lee said: “To come here to Poole and snatch a league point is a great effort and we are over the moon with that. Everyone pulled together to make an impact, and it was a really strong team performance in the end.”
(SPEEDWAY 3 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)
SWINDON have been warned to expect the unexpected when basement club Birmingham visit the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.Robins boss Alun Rossiter, who brings in former skipper Hans Andersen to guest for Troy Batchelor who is on international duty, says he will ensure his riders take note of the Brummies’ good result at Poole on Wednesday.Rossiter said: “We don't know what to expect because they have some good riders who just haven't been performing - until they went to Poole! They have been told they are under pressure and we know we cannot under-estimate them. This will be a good night of racing.”Birmingham boss Jack Lee said: “If we can keep the riders fired up and they can perform in a similar way then I don't see any reason why we can't get another point at Swindon.”In the Premier League, Edinburgh take their record-breaking start to the season, which currently stands at eight wins from eight matches, to Ipswich with Justin Sedgmen moving into the main body of the team and Aaron Fox dropping to reserve.Meanwhile Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill is aware of the task in hand as his side face Somerset, who are starting a busy run of three matches in three days – in three different competitions!Duffill said: “I'm expecting a very tough match against Somerset. They are one of the best sides in the Premier League again this year and have a very strong top 4 and a reserve in great from. “In order to win this meeting everyone will have to be on top of their game and show their best form and I feel it will be a real test for us.”Sheffield stage the first leg of their Knockout Cup clash with Berwick at Owlerton – and Tigers skipper Simon Stead is expecting a night of fast racing.He said: “It should be a cracker of a meeting because they have some good racers in the team. We’ll be looking to build up a good lead to take there on Saturday night for the second leg.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
RORY Schlein has set a fund-raising target of £10,000 for Breast Cancer Care by the end of the 2014 season.King’s Lynn captain Schlein will let his beard and hair grow until the Stars’ final regular Elite League match of the campaign against Swindon on August 27, when it will be shaved during the interval, and other events and merchandise are planned.Schlein said: “Breast Cancer Care is a great charity and one I am keen to help by using my profile within the speedway world. My friend and mechanic Lee sadly lost his sister to the disease recently and to be honest, it knocked me back a bit and made me think ‘I want to help.’“We have got lots of things planned during the season and I hope, with your help, we reach the target of £10,000.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LONG-SERVING speedway promoters Len Silver and Neil Machin have both received recent recognition for their services to the sport.Rye House chief Silver has been invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for his outstanding services to motorsport.He said: “I am extremely proud and privileged to have received this invitation. It is the next best thing to a knighthood or CBE. I have a lot more to give to the sport, though. When I get to a hundred, I expect another message from the Queen!”Meanwhile Machin, who handed over ownership of Sheffield in the winter but remains on board as a co-promoter, has received the Geoff Dalby award presented by British Speedway’s referees.He said: “I’m staggered to have been recognised by the referees, who made their decision at their annual meeting in Glasgow during the winter. There are some big names on the trophy and it’s a great accolade of which I'm very proud.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MAY 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Sheffield v Berwick 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 2:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Plymouth v Peterborough 7.15, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Kent 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Coventry 8pm, Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round: (2nd leg) Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, (1st leg) Workington v Somerset 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Stoke v Kent 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 4:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 3pm, Newcastle v Workington 6.30LEAGUE CUP: Rye House v Peterborough 2pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Devon 3.30
