Thursday May 8, 2014(SPEEDWAY 1)

KYLE Howarth has been named as captain of the Great Britain Under-21 team travelling to Germany for their World Cup semi-final on June 7.Howarth will lead a strong line-up which also includes Adam Ellis, Jason Garrity and, after positive talks over his future, Robert Lambert will also be in the quartet.The meeting at Teterow will see Great Britain go up against hosts Germany, the Czech Republic and Australia, with the winners progressing to the Final in Denmark - whilst second place could also be enough depending on the result of the other semi-final.GB Youth co-boss Phil Morris said: “The four lads on their day can win this meeting, and we will be going there and working as a team to achieve this goal. “This is the best team we have had in years and I hope this is the start of better things for Team GB U21, which then will benefit the senior GB team.“After hours of positive talks with Robert regarding his racing and future, and with the support of King’s Lynn, we are proud to announce one of our biggest talents will be representing Team GB U21.“He has already raced at the Teterow circuit, so this will be a great help to the other lads. It’s a track I have also personally raced a season on in the German League, and I do think it will suit the GB riders.“Kyle has been named captain and is showing people what he can do with his efforts for Coventry in the Elite League. He was a proud man when announced as captain and is looking to show Rosco (Alun Rossiter) that he wants to be in his senior squad.“Adam is a fast-improving rider and the Fast Track system has helped him move up to the next step of the ladder. He has high ambitions, and a great way to show off his talents would be a big points haul in Germany.“Jason is a talented lad and has aggression and determination in masses. He started the season a bit slowly but is starting to show what he can do with regular big scores in the Elite League. We are pleased to have Jason in the team as this is the first event he has competed in for GB U21, let’s hope it’s a good one.“For the first time in years, we have had a tough decision in picking the team. Riders like Ashley Morris, Stefan Nielsen and Josh Bates will feel disappointed, but they have time on their side and the team had to be declared one month before the event.“The Czech Republic will be led by Poole’s Vaclav Milik, and Australia are likely to include Nick Morris, Brady Kurtz and Max Fricke, but we go into it with a strong feeling that we can mix it with the other nations.”Morris and co-boss Neil Vatcher would be delighted to hear from any companies who would be interested in assisting with sponsorship for Team race-suits. Please contact younglionsspeedway@hotmail.co.uk .

(SPEEDWAY 2 – WEDNESDAY REVIEW)

BIRMINGHAM skipper Danny King raced to a 15-point maximum to help his side edge a tense local derby against Wolverhampton at Perry Barr.King, who had previously struggled to find top form this season, reeled off five race wins including in a vital Heat 15 where team-mate Daniel Nermark collected a crucial third place for a 46-44 Brummies win.With the scores level going into the decider, Wolves’ top scorer Piotr Pawlicki worked his way into second place but Nermark held Ricky Wells at bay to secure the victory.Brummies boss Jack Lee said: “We knew it was going to be tight and it was a bit too tight for comfort really, but in the end we came away with the win which is the main thing so we are happy.“Danny was absolutely brilliant and a lot more like what we expect from him - hopefully tonight can be a turning point for him.”Wolves skipper Tai Woffinden said: “It was a tough night, and I personally struggled after making a mistake with the set-up. A few of the boys had some issues and it was a shame we couldn't come away with a win.“At least we came away with a point for our efforts, and now we've just got to look at pushing forward in the future to keep improving.”Poole No.1 Chris Holder picked up his first maximum in the UK since June 21 last year as the Pirates saw off Belle Vue 53-40 at Wimborne Road.Holder was unbeaten from four outings with Przemyslaw Pawlicki and Josh Grajczonek also in double figure, whilst Aces debutant Lee Payne suffered a shoulder injury in a second-ride crash.Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “I was very proud of the boys. We were all upset after folding in the last three heats at Belle Vue recently and I know Chris was unhappy with his score in Manchester.“But this was the best performance I have seen from the team this season. We could and should have won by more but for some bad luck. Chris led from the front, and every member of the team produced a rock-solid performance.”In the National League, Lewis Rose and Darren Mallett scored paid maximums as King’s Lynn defeated Buxton 62-31 to make it two wins from two National League matches.Manager Dale Allitt said: “It was a great performance from the team and I am really pleased with the way they have started the season.”Buxton duo Tony Atkin and Liam Carr both won two races, and manager Jayne Moss said: “There is cause for optimism here, you can see that the guys are improving with every ride. We have something to build on.”

(SPEEDWAY 3 – THURSDAY PREVIEW)

SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is pleased to be facing Elite League leaders Lakeside with a full-strength side on Thursday.Rossiter’s Robins were heavily beaten at Purfleet in a recent away match against the Hammers, having gone into that meeting without skipper Troy Batchelor and in-form reserve Steve Worrall.Rossiter said: “We have an interesting run of matches coming up, starting with Lakeside, and with a bit of luck we’ll have our full side this time and hopefully we’ll come away with all the points!“We have struggled when we’ve had Troy away, and also when we haven’t had Steve, but he showed signs on Monday of getting to grips with the track and he reminds me in many ways of Ashley Birks last year, who did better away than at home because so many meetings were clashing.”Sheffield are awaiting news over the availability of Australian rider Ty Proctor ahead of their KO Cup clash with Berwick at Owlerton.Top-level talks are scheduled to take place on Thursday in a bid to resolve a visa issue, whilst on-track the Tigers are bidding to pull back a deficit of 18-points from the first leg.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “It’s too much to go to a track like Berwick and have to use rider replacement. Simon Stead was the ultimate professional and led the way for us but he didn't have the support needed.“But we are confident we can pull it back in the second leg. Our lads are all fired up and ready to have a crack at that deficit. If we get off to a good start then there’s no reason why we can’t but we won’t be able to throw away points.”Meanwhile Redcar will look to overturn an eight-point first leg deficit against Plymouth at the South Tees Motorsports Park. Stuart Robson has been booked to replace the unavailable Richard Lawson for the Bears, whilst Plymouth will be without Roland Benko due to a shoulder injury.Redcar boss Jitendra Duffill said: “We should be able to overcome the deficit, but it will not be easy. Plymouth will be using a guest in place of Benko and with five points to play with, they will have some good riders to choose from which could potentially make things very difficult for us. “However I am still confident that we can progress to the next stage of the KO Cup as we have shown very good form at home for most of the season so far.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

LEICESTER promoter David Hemsley says the club’s staging of a World Under-21 qualifier on Saturday highlights their ambition to bring major events to the East Midlands.Several of the sport’s best youngsters will compete at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium, including Elite League top-five regulars Mikkel Bech and Jacob Thorssell, whilst Great Britain are represented by Stefan Nielsen and Josh Bates.Hemsley said: “Last season we hosted the British round of the FIM Flat-Track Cup and the delegates who were present that day recommended that Leicester Speedway be awarded a four year licence to run FIM international events. “I am pleased to say that we received accreditation and during the winter we were awarded our first ever Speedway World Championship meeting. Clearly, this is another major milestone in the club’s recent history and we hope that it is just the first step along a path that leads to Leicester being considered for FIM World Championship meetings in the future.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

EASTBOURNE have confirmed Timo Lahti will retain his place in the team after an impressive start to the season.Lahti was overlooked for the Eagles over the winter but gained a reprieve when Kim Nilsson was injured in a crash in America.Nilsson is closing in on a comeback but the Arlington club have elected to keep Lahti – although boss Trevor Geer says his riders cannot relax.Geer said: “Timo has demonstrated some good form this season. However, we will be keeping a close eye on team performances and will not hesitate to make a change should the need arise.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY MAY 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside OFFPREMIER 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 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 10:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER: Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Plymouth v Edinburgh 7.15PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Rye House v Glasgow 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v King’s Lynn 7pm

SUNDAY MAY 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Peterborough 6.30, Workington v Sheffield 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Glasgow v Rye House 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Buxton v Coventry 3pm