BIG EVENT LATEST…
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 .
*LAKESIDE’S Danish star Mikkel Bech scored a 15-point maximum at Leicester to ease into the World Under-21 Final series.Bech looked unbeatable for much of the evening although it took a remarkable burst around the outside of Eduard Krcmar off the final bend of his last ride in order for him to secure his full score.Wolverhampton’s Jacob Thorssell defeated Peterborough man Lasse Bjerre in a run-off for second place, with both also making it through along with Ipswich’s Gino Manzares, who triumphed in a tense three-man run-off against Swedish rider Victor Palovaara and Edinburgh regular Max Fricke.There was frustration for British Under-21 Champion Josh Bates, who scored nine points at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium – one short of the riders involved in the run-off.Bates was left to rue a fall in his first ride when he had held second place whilst the other GB representatives, Stefan Nielsen and Ashley Morris, scored five and four respectively.SPEEDWAYGB EVENTS SERIES 2014:ELITE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Re-staging TBCBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOSH BATESBRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton, June 16PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, July 11PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough, August 3PREMIER RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 21NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS:NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: Mildenhall, June 15NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry, August 10NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, September 28BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENT DATES:WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP Semi-Final: MIKKEL BECHGRAND PRIX QUALIFIER: Berwick, June 7
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE star Michael Palm Toft has reflected on a positive start to his Elite League career with several key contributions in the Aces’ top five.Palm Toft said: “So far this season I think my form has been really good. It's my first full year in the Elite League and I've been really pleased with the points I've been scoring.“It's a good feeling to know people are pleased with how I'm riding, but I still think I've got a lot to learn and it's nice to be in a team where I can ask the others for advice. I really do feel my skills are developing and I always take positives with me from every meeting I do.”BIRMINGHAM boss Jack Lee was relieved to see skipper Danny King back to top form with a 15-point maximum in the Brummies’ narrow home win over local rivals Wolverhampton at Perry Barr.Lee said: “Danny was absolutely brilliant and a lot more like what we expect from him - hopefully this can be a turning point for him.“The Poole result was fantastic and now we've had another good result, so hopefully we can push on from here and start to build some momentum.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock expressed his frustration with points dropped by the Bees at home as they were beaten by Swindon – having won the reverse fixture at Blunsdon last month.Havelock said: “Swindon were just faster out of the gate every time, and they got their lead. If we’d got a 5-1 in the last race it would have been a miracle point, but really we were too far behind. “The track was pretty slick (last) Monday but we got out of jail with a 5-1 in the last heat. It was the same again tonight and that’s not how we like it – we have a team of racers, and it’s something we have to get sorted or we’ll struggle every time we’re up against a team of fast gaters.”EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer says an improvement in his side’s away form is a major target for the coming weeks – with trips to Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Belle Vue all on the Eagles’ forthcoming schedule.Geer said: “We need to transfer our home form into what we do on away tracks. We have gone far too long without a win on the road.“The tracks we are going to in the next few weeks are ones where we should do well and we need to get something out of these meetings.”KING’S LYNN have named Scott Nicholls as their guest for broken collarbone victim Kenneth Bjerre in their home clash with Swindon on Wednesday.Stars boss Rob Lyon said: “Scott is a quality rider who always gives it his all. He has performed well at King’s Lynn before and has been in good form for Belle Vue.”LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook says the positive atmosphere is building at Purfleet, with the signing of spectacular Danish youngster Mikkel Bech having played a major part in the Hammers’ strong start to the season.Cook told Speedway Star: “Roll on the rest of the summer, we’ve got good vibes. We are not saying that we are the real deal, but we are trying to become the real deal and the fans are seeing that develop with their own eyes.“Now Mikkel has got an average, it gives us leeway. He’s not going to be with us every week because he’s got a few DMU commitments. He’s setting out for his individual glory as well and we don’t want to stand in his way – that’s the price we pay for having young riders within the team and something we haven’t done in the past few years.”LEICESTER No.1 Jason Doyle is targeting a return to the saddle in time for the Lions’ next Elite League fixture at Swindon on May 22.Doyle was involved in an horrific crash on Saturday whilst representing the Australian team in a Best Pairs event in Landshut, Germany, but fears of a broken leg proved unfounded as he escaped with a serious gash and concussion.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “First and foremost Jason’s well-being is uppermost in our minds, and whilst we want him back in the side as quickly as possible we will not put any pressure on him to return.”POOLE star Chris Holder is set to make the final appearance of his short-term stint covering for fellow countryman Darcy Ward this week.Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “When Chris agreed to cover for us after Darcy was ruled out he made it clear that it could not be long term but he was available through to this Wednesday.“He has always been up-front with us on his intentions and I know for sure that he will be keen to put in a good performance to sign off.”SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is keen for his side to bounce back quickly from a 38-52 defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday, the result coming just three days after the Robins were victorious at Coventry.Rossiter said: “Fair play to Wolverhampton, they came good when it mattered most and deserved to claim all the points available, they were the better team in the end.“But after our win at Coventry I felt there was a good chance for us at Wolverhampton and we weren't able to take it. Troy Batchelor was struggling but I can't criticise the guy because he's been flying, he's made a fantastic start to the season for us. He will bounce back from this.”WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Tai Woffinden dropped just one point as his side produced a strong finish to their home clash with Swindon to take maximum points from the meeting.Woffinden said: “It's good to see all the boys scoring points, it was a solid all-round performance and I was pleased with my own display, that's much more like it from me!“The track staff deserve great credit. We all need to thank them because it was raining here for the majority of the day but we got the meeting on. It wasn't ideal early on but it was the same for both sides and I'm really pleased with the way the boys handled it.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK director George Hepburn says the recent announcement of a World Championship qualifier event taking place at Shielfield Park on June 7 is a major boost for the area.Hepburn said: “Last season, when we staged the World Under-21 Final, there were visitors here from Latvia, the Czech Republic, Denmark and – notably – Poland. Local businesses, hotels and the like reported a really impressive boom in business over that weekend, and with eleven nations to be represented here on June 7, an even greater influx of visitors has to be expected this time around.”EDINBURGH now boast an incredible record of eleven wins out of eleven in all competitions at the start of the season, extending their run with a 52-40 success at Plymouth last weekend despite the absence of Max Fricke due to his World Under-21 qualifier.Monarchs boss John Campbell said: “I must admit I was a bit worried about this one before the start. I must be under-estimating how good we are!"GLASGOW are contemplating their options for bolstering their team after Anders Thomsen (suspected broken ankle) joined Dimitri Berge on the sidelines in last Sunday’s abandoned Knockout Cup tie with Rye House.Manager Stewart Dickson said: “Carrying one rider was difficult. Dimitri has been a star and Anders was coming into form as well, so we've lost two of the top four riders on current form. We will just need to have a look at what we can do short-term and strengthen up a wee bit, because it's too much weight on the rest of the team right now. We will maybe need to look at a 28-day signing – one or maybe even two.”IPSWICH will welcome Adam Ellis back into their team for Thursday’s local derby against Peterborough, the teenager having missed the Witches’ last two meetings due to Elite League commitments – whilst the club’s American star Gino Manzares will get a big welcome after securing qualification for the World Under-21 Final.NEWCASTLE have designated Sunday May 18, when the Diamonds face Redcar in the Premier League at Brough Park, as Barry Wallace Day.It will be exactly 50 years to the day since the veteran announcer introduced the teams for the first time – the 1964 occasion also seeing local derby fixture between Newcastle and Sunderland.Co-promoter George English said: “Little did anyone realise 50 years ago that Barry would still be on the ‘mic’ at Newcastle Speedway and that he would also move onto many years service at St. James’ Park for Newcastle United. Newcastle Speedway is proud to honour the man who has also been a Promoter and Director of the club with Barry Wallace Day this coming Sunday.”PETERBOROUGH co-boss Trevor Swales says his side will be focused on every available item of silverware after an encouraging start to the season.Swales said: “We’ve made progress into the semi-finals of the League Cup and we’re taking the KO Cup very seriously too. We are not racing at this level to make up the numbers and we want to challenge for every piece of silverware that is available.”PLYMOUTH are hoping a switch in riding order, with Sam Simota moving to No.2 and Adam Roynon forming a new combination with Kalle Katajisto, will pay dividends when they face Newcastle on Friday.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “I am sure Adam will sort things out. He has a seven-point average and you don’t achieve that by finishing in last and third places. It is important that we perform as a team because we had three riders scoring only five points against Edinburgh and that leaves too much for the remaining four members of the side.”REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill says Premier League newcomers Luke Crang and Rafal Konopka will benefit from as many meetings as possible, as the Bears prepare to host Berwick in the re-staging of the Tees/Tweed Trophy on Thursday.Duffill said: “Rafal and Luke have plenty of potential but we have to remember that they are still vastly inexperienced and this has been reflected in their scores so far which have been fairly inconsistent. This meeting will give both riders a bit more track time with a little less pressure and a good score from both of them will help as a bit of a confidence booster.”RYE HOUSE were left with the prospect of repeating their 760-mile round trip to Glasgow in the KO Cup after Sunday’s Ashfield clash was abandoned after eight races due to rain.Manager John Sampford said: “Once the first rain had drained off the banking, the track produced some good racing, but the problem with the second shower was that it made visibility a real issue, and we didn’t want anyone else getting injured after what happened in Heat 2. Ultimately, we just couldn’t get to Heat 10 for a declared result, and now we have to start all over again and find two new dates for both legs.”SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey believes the signing of Nicolai Klindt can provide a spark for the Scorpions season, as the Dane starts his second spell with the club.Godfrey said: “Our fortunes took a turn for the better last season, after Nicolai came in. We’re hoping for the same again, because he is a quality act at Premier League level. It’s good to have a seven-man line-up again - neither guests nor rider replacement were really doing the job for us in the absence of Anders (Mellgren).”SHEFFIELD skipper Simon Stead says his side will be on a revenge mission from a League Cup defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe when the Scorpions visit Owlerton on Thursday.Stead said: “That was a difficult night for everyone and it was disappointing. We will be looking to hit back. We won at their place in the League Cup but then they came to us and turned us over. With important Premier League points available we need to win this one.”SOMERSET boss Garry May is keen for his side to keep their impressive home form going when Redcar visit the Oaktree Arena on Friday in the Rebels’ first Premier League fixture on their own circuit.May said: “Obviously we want to get our home campaign in defence of our Premier League Championship crown off to the best possible start by taking all three points on Friday night. We have been in superb form at the Oaktree Arena in recent weeks having hit the 60 point mark in each of our last three home matches, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and will approach the visit of Redcar with the same professional attitude we give every match we contest.”WORKINGTON are aiming to put the disappointment of last weekend’s Knockout Cup exit at the hands of holders Somerset behind them by booking a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup with a fighting display at Glasgow this coming Sunday.Comets manager Tony Jackson said: “To go out of the Knockout Cup at the first hurdle was extremely disappointing to say the least, but congratulations to Somerset who were the better team over the two legs. We now have to forget about that and move on, starting with trying to clinch a place in the League Cup semi-finals as the best-placed group runner-up.“In order to do that we must win at Glasgow by seven points or more on Sunday to claim all four match points and, in doing so, we would progress to the semi-finals on race points difference at the expense of Redcar. We have three former Glasgow riders in our side while the remainder of the team have a good record around Ashfield. However, we know it will not be an easy task; but the whole team is determined to make up for last weekend’s disappointing display and stay in contention for the League Cup.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY MAY 13:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 14: ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30, Poole v Lakeside 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 15:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Newcastle 7.15, Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Mildenhall 7.30, King’s Lynn v Stoke 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Rye House v Sheffield 7pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2: Leicester 6.30
SUNDAY MAY 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Workington 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Cradley 3.30
MONDAY MAY 19:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Birmingham 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Kent v Devon 6.30
TUESDAY MAY 20:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 21:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, Poole v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 22:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Ipswich 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Sheffield v Berwick 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 23:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.15, Somerset v Sheffield 7.30, Workington v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 24:ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Swindon 7.30, Lakeside v Poole 8pm, Leicester v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Workington 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 25:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Rye House v Plymouth 2pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Buxton 3.30
MONDAY MAY 26:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Birmingham 7.30, Leicester v Poole 3pm, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Scunthorpe v Peterborough 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Coventry (follows PL KOC fixture)CHALLENGE: Kent v Wimbledon 3pm
TUESDAY MAY 27:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Glasgow 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 28:ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Leicester 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30
