(SPEEDWAY 1)

TRIBUTES are pouring in for legendary former rider Malcolm Simmons who passed away on Sunday. 'Super Simmo', 68, represented his country both at team and individual level and scored over 2,000 points for Poole between 1975-80.He was British Champion in 1976 and finished runner-up to fellow countryman Peter Collins in the World Championship that year. He also won the World Pairs with Collins.British Speedway Promoters' Association Chairman Alex Harkess said: “This is extremely sad news although we were aware of Malcolm's illness.“On behalf of every club throughout British Speedway I would like to pass on our condolences to Malcolm's family.“Malcolm raced during what was very much a golden era for speedway and he leaves speedway fans of my generation with some great memories.”Poole owner Matt Ford also paid a glowing tribute to Simmo.He said: “In my eyes Malcolm was the ultimate speedway rider.“I grew up watching the sport and he was my hero. It’s a very sad day for everyone. My sympathies and condolences go out to his family.”

(SPEEDWAY 2 – SUNDAY REVIEW)

NEWCASTLE recovered a six-point deficit to snatch a 46-44 win over Ipswich at Brough Park courtesy of a last-heat 5-1 from Danny King and Lewis Kerr.King, who dropped just one point throughout the meeting, suffered machine damage in a crash with ex-Diamond Richie Worrall in the first attempt to run the decisive race.But in the re-start King and Kerr raced clear of Worrall and Morten Risager to secure a much-needed win for the home side.Manager George English said: “This was a brilliantly raced match and provided some superb racing with two teams desperate to get the points, and it resulted in top-class entertainment. “(Guest) Chris Mills at reserve rode a good seven rides for us and made a good impression, and had he not had as many bike problems his score could have been higher.”Rye House finally got the better of Plymouth with a 49-40 win from an eventful clash at Hoddesdon – despite painful debut for Stefan Nielsen.The British Under-19 Champion crashed out of the meeting in his first ride, suffering concussion and potential thumb and scaphoid injuries, but fellow reserve Jason Garrity kept up his excellent form with 14+2 from a full seven-ride programme.The Rockets had no answer to visiting No.1 Ben Barker who scored a paid maximum but the home side went into the meeting without the unwell Mathieu Tresarrieu and also now have a concern over Edward Kennett.Manager John Sampford said: “It was real backs-to-the-wall stuff, but the boys responded to the pressure and came through with all three match points. I couldn’t ask for more.“Edward is carrying a hand injury he picked up during the week. He somehow soldiered through five races but Heat 15 was a race too far, which is why we used Steve (Boxall) and Luke (Bowen) in that one. He’ll need to get it looked at in the next few days so we know where we stand with him.”Plymouth co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “It was an incident packed meeting. Kalle Katajisto and Kyle Newman were OK after their falls, but Adam Roynon took a bad knock to his back and shoulder, which is going to be sore for a few days.”In the National League Joe Jacobs scored a 15-point maximum as Mildenhall went to the top of the table with a 57-36 win over Buxton at West Row, with Liam Carr impressing on 14+1 for the Hitmen.Chairman Kevin Jolly said: “Joe was immaculate and scored another fine maximum, and the lads not getting regular meetings at the bottom end all showed well. I don’t like to single out individuals, but young Connor Mountain is really impressing with the progress he is making.”Buxton chief Jayne Moss said: “The boys did well today – it’s a tough place to come and we did give it a real go.”

(SPEEDWAY 3 – MONDAY PREVIEW)

LEICESTER boss Norrie Allan is hoping home track knowledge will make the difference when his side takes on third-placed Poole at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium.The Lions have booked Rory Schlein and Josh Bates to stand in for injured duo Patrick Hougaard and Tom Perry, with Sam Masters also coming into the top five.Allan said: “With five of the seven Poole riders having never ridden the Leicester track I am hoping that we can get some early points on the board whilst they are figuring out the best way to ride the circuit.“They don’t come any tougher than Poole who have been a model of consistency over the last two decades and have a bulging trophy cabinet to prove it.”Coventry host Birmingham at Brandon with Bees boss Gary Havelock insisting there is still more to come from his side, who have taken three impressive away wins so far this season but have been overturned twice on their own circuit.Havelock said: “Our result at Poole showed just what the boys are capable of this season, and I firmly believe we can make a real impact. “It’s team effort and we’re riding well as a team, but not everybody has clicked together on the same night, and when that happens we can really give someone a beating!”Birmingham, who introduce new signing Bartosz Zmarzlik later this week, are without an away win so far this season but impressed recently at Poole.Skipper Danny King said: “It's going to be tough, we know that, but we have riders who can do well at Coventry. Hopefully we can all do our job in the team and give them a test. We will be going there to give it our best, but it will be hard without Adam Skornicki.”Wolverhampton skipper Tai Woffinden says his side are aware they need three points from home meetings ahead of their clash with Eastbourne.The Monmore men are unbeaten from seven home matches but have taken maximum points only twice, and their matches against the Eagles are frequently eventful affairs.Woffinden said: “Piotr (Pawlicki) and Jacob (Thorssell) were both awesome last week and hopefully we can see more of that against Eastbourne. “It was really great to see them riding so well and there are definitely a lot of positives at the moment. I think we've still got a lot of work to do though and there are a few issues here and there.”Wolves bring in British Under-21 Champion Josh Bates to replace the unavailable Joe Jacobs, whilst Adam Ellis comes in for the Eagles in place of Lewis Blackbird.Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: “Wolverhampton is a track we always do well at and I am pretty confident we can come back with a few points, even a win.“We have Adam coming in and he is going well at the moment. It is pity Lewis will not be there because he rode that track every week last season for Dudley in the National League. But he will be there when we go back for the B fixture.”Swindon welcome back No.1 Peter Kildemand for their home clash with Belle Vue as the Robins look to catch up on home fixtures after a number of recent postponements.The Aces will have two guests at reserve having called in Charles Wright and Brendan Johnson to replace injured duo Stefan Nielsen and Lee Payne.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “Hopefully Simon (Gustafsson) can keep it going and we can have a good display against Belle Vue and put three points on the board.“That's the aim, and we want to see a big crowd too. The weather has been a massive blow to us in recent weeks so hopefully our supporters are desperate to get down and see the boys in action.”In the Premier League Knockout Cup, Scunthorpe are just three points behind Peterborough from the first leg ahead of the return at the Eddie Wright Raceway.The Scorpions have been boosted by the news that Ryan Douglas has declared himself fit following his crash at Plymouth on Friday, but promoter Rob Godfrey is taking nothing for granted.He said: “Obviously we’re very relieved that Ryan is OK. It would have been difficult to cover for his absence.“It’s a big boost to have him back, but it doesn’t mean the result of the meeting is a foregone conclusion by any means. We’re certainly not going to be too complacent.”Peterborough co-boss Trevor Swales said: “I will be telling the riders that we need to win at Scunthorpe and I feel we have the quality to do it. We have already managed to make progress in the League Cup and we certainly want to do the same in the KO Cup.”The match is the first half of a double header, and is followed by a National League clash between Scunthorpe and Coventry.The Stags welcome back Arron Mogridge and Reece Downes after injury, whilst the Storm have Jon Armstrong and Marc Owen in as guests for James Sarjeant and Stefan Nielsen and will operate rider replacement for Luke Crang.Meanwhile Kent stage the annual John Cearns Cup against Wimbledon Dons at Central Park, with last year’s Kings No.1 Steve Boxall returning to lead the home side in the absence of current No.1 Simon Lambert.Boxall said: “I’m really delighted to be back in Kings' colours again. It was at Central Park where I regained my enthusiasm for the sport and I really love all the people there, fans and management who were so good to me. I’ll try to make my visit memorable by breaking my own track record!”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

SOMERSET mascot Henry Atkins has scooped one of the top Pride of Devon awards announced over the weekend at the Devon County Show.Exeter-based Atkins won the Child of Achievement Award in recognition of his performances in both speedway and grasstrack, and is the youngest-ever winner.Atkins, the 2011 British Youth Champion at 125cc level, said: “I would like to thank all sponsors, management and fans at Somerset Speedway and all that have helped me so far in my racing career, together with the organisers of all Grasstrack clubs, plus a special thanks to everyone who took the time and trouble to nominate me for this award.”(FIXTURES)

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 Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30

THURSDAY MAY 29:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Workington 7.45

FRIDAY MAY 30:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7.15, Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Coventry v Buxton 7.30