(SPEEDWAY 1)
BIRMINGHAM have announced the recall of Nico Covatti who returns to the Perry Barr club for Wednesday’s clash with Wolverhampton.Covatti was part of the Brummies team which reached the Elite League Grand Final last year, and he replaces Edward Kennett who will focus on his Premier League duties for Rye House.Birmingham co-promoter Alan Phillips said: “I’d like to thank Ed, there are no hard feelings, it’s just one of those moves which haven’t worked out for whatever reason. He’s actually a nice lad and we had a chat a couple of weeks ago knowing this could happen.“It’s a delight to welcome back Nico, we all know how popular he is with the supporters and I’m sure he will get a great welcome on Wednesday against Wolverhampton.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 – WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is expecting the biggest test for the Pirates at home so far this season when Belle Vue visit Wimborne Road on Wednesday.Ford is hoping for a bumper attendance having cut admission prices to just £10, and he has called on supporters to produce a big-night atmosphere.He said: “It’s one of those nights that I am throwing out the gauntlet to supporters and saying – we’re giving you the chance to come and watch speedway’s Elite action at a fraction of the normal cost. The payback is to make Wimborne Road a sea of noise and a blue and white cauldron.“It wouldn't be unkind to say that the famous Aces have been through a bit of a lull in more recent seasons but with Matej Zagar, Scott Nicholls and captain Craig Cook spearheading their team this season they are certainly looking to redress the situation and restore the pride in Manchester.“But likewise, after a couple of seasons of the ‘Turbo Twins’ - Chris Holder and Darcy Ward - making all the headlines, this year we have unearthed in Polish-speak our ‘Bliznieta Turbo’ - a pair of Poles proud of Poole - Shamek (Pawlicki) and Magic (Janowski).”Adam Ellis stands in at reserve for the Pirates with Kyle Newman injured, whilst Ben Hopwood fills the other berth as the club’s hopes of bringing in Benji Compton were dashed by his broken scahpoid.Belle Vue hand a debut to Lee Payne at reserve, and skipper Craig Cook is keen to see his side bounce back from a disappointing result at Leicester last Saturday.Cook said: “At minimum I expected us to take at least a point from Leicester, but really it was a meeting we wanted to win and a meeting, in my opinion, we should have won. It is what it is however, and there's nothing we can do about it now except pick ourselves up and get ready for the next race.”Birmingham host Wolverhampton in a big West Midlands derby at Perry Barr with Nico Covatti back in the Brummies side as a replacement for Edward Kennett.Wolves, meanwhile, were held to a draw at home by Poole on Monday and promoter Chris Van Straaten is calling on his team to cut out the errors as they head to Perry Barr.Van Straaten said: “We had some mechanical problems costing us points and a tapes exclusion as well - it's basic errors and these things shouldn't happen. “We've got to make sure these sorts of mistakes don't happen again, because it's cost us crucial points and we can't afford to have the same happen to us in the future.”King’s Lynn open their home National League campaign with the visit of Buxton to the Norfolk Arena, with Young Stars boss Dale Allitt expecting to add further points following a big win at Scunthorpe.Allitt said: “The team have not raced at the Arena since the start of last month but I am confident we can start our home league fixtures with a victory. The win against Scunthorpe was a real confidence-booster and I know the boys are ready to continue their good form.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LASSE Bjerre is determined to make track knowledge count as he targets a place in the World Under-21 Final this weekend.Bjerre takes his place in Saturday’s Qualifier at Leicester with his confidence high from a strong run of results for Peterborough and also with two years as a Lions rider in the Premier League behind him.Bjerre said: “I had some good times at Leicester and I know the track well. Hopefully that can work in my favour. I have the experience of riding it regularly plus I’ve also been to Leicester to watch a meeting this season so I should know what to expect.“I will be so unhappy if I don’t get through because I know I am good enough to do it. I rode as a Wild Card in a couple of rounds last year, but I’ve never done the whole Final. This is my last chance and it is really important to do it.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
REDCAR have taken the decision to retain Polish youngster Rafal Konopka – despite the availability of Richard Hall after a 28-day ban.The Bears signed Konopoka after Hall’s transgression in a match at Scunthorpe when he was involved in a clash with Josh Auty, and he is now available to other clubs.Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill said “Rafal will become a full Redcar asset in a few weeks and it would be a little foolish to let him go at this stage as he has shown a lot of promise. “Unfortunately that means that Redcar will have to part ways with Richard Hall and I'd like to wish him all the best for the rest of the season. I'm sure he will find a team place very quickly.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
TOM Perry is hoping to make a rapid return to racing after suffering a broken collarbone in a crash at Ipswich on Monday.The Cradley and Leicester rider was making a guest appearance at Foxhall but has now been ruled out of the Heathens’ KO Cup clash with Mildenhall next week, although his Elite League club currently have a gap in their schedule.Perry said: “I’ve been studying the fixtures closely and hopefully I’m not going to miss too many meetings, both for Cradley and for Leicester.“The doctors in Ipswich told me it’s a clean break which is good, all I can do is let it heal naturally, but it hurts! I knew I’d broken it from the moment I landed on the shoulder. I want to be back in three weeks, maybe a month, but hopefully no more than that.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MAY 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Redcar v Plymouth 7.30, Sheffield v Berwick 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 9:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Lakeside v Wolverhampton 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Somerset v Workington 7.30VOLTCOM CRESCENT SUZUKI READY FOR IMOLA WSB
