(SPEEDWAY 1 – SUNDAY PREVIEW)
MIDLANDS rivals Leicester and Coventry make an early start to the season when they clash at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium on Sunday (midday start).The two sides meet in the first leg of the East Midlands Bowl with the return fixture at Brandon on Friday.Leicester’s debutants include ex-Eastbourne duo Bjarne Pedersen and Mikkel Michelsen, whilst the visitors operate rider-replacement for Hans Andersen due to a family bereavement.Lions promoter David Hemsley said: “On balance we are in for an exciting season opener against one of the top clubs in the Elite League.“They come no bigger than Coventry who have put together another very competitive team again - I can see that the scores will be very close over the two matches.”Peterborough also get their campaign underway as they play host to a GB Select team, managed by national boss Alun Rossiter, at the Showground (2pm).Rossiter has made a late change to his side with ex-Panther Richard Lawson stepping in for Ben Barker, after the Berwick man pulled out of the meeting.The Panthers also track a healthy British contingent in their new-look line-up, and continue to be captained by Danish star Ulrich Ostergaard.Peterborough manager Carl Johnson said: “’Rosco’ has called on several riders who are capable of going very well at the Showground and it is going to be a tough test for our lads.“But we will go into every meeting this year with the intention of winning and this is no different. There is a tremendous buzz around the place and the atmosphere at Press and Practice Day was brilliant.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn captain Rory Schlein celebrates his time in British Speedway with a Testimonial meeting at the Norfolk Arena (6pm start).The 30-year-old has had Elite League spells with Belle Vue, Coventry, Ipswich and Peterborough prior to joining the Stars in 2013, and had earlier represented Edinburgh in the Premier League and Sheffield in the third tier.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BRITISH Champions Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls are amongst the line-up for Ricky Ashworth’s Benefit meeting at Sheffield next Sunday.Stars of the sport have rallied round for Ashworth, who suffered life-changing injuries in a track crash in 2013 whilst racing for Berwick.Rory Schlein (King’s Lynn), Freddie Lindgren, Jacob Thorssell and Peter Karlsson (Wolverhampton) and Davey Watt (Poole) are also included along with current Premier League Riders’ Champion and home skipper Simon Stead and Scunthorpe ace David Howe.Harris said: “I'm looking forward to riding in the meeting for Ricky up at Sheffield. It's obviously a great cause, and hopefully we can raise loads of money to help him as much as possible.“It's extremely sad what has happened to him and it's a bit of a reminder as to how dangerous speedway really is.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
WOLVERHAMPTON No.1 Freddie Lindgren makes his official return to the club this week.The Swedish star sat out the 2014 Elite League season but is back at Monmore Green this year and will be unveiled along with his team-mates at the club’s press and practice on Monday.Lindgren said: “It’s always exciting when you are waiting for the season to start, because you are optimistic about what it might bring. “With me and PK (Peter Karlsson) in the side from 2009 we have people who know what it takes to be successful and to be on a winning side. I don’t want to paint up any big expectations, but I’m quite excited about this year and I’m hoping we can all click together and have a good year.”(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY MARCH 15:EAST MIDLANDS BOWL 1st leg: Leicester v Coventry 12pmCHALLENGE: Peterborough v GB Select 2pmRORY SCHLEIN TESTIMONIAL: King’s Lynn 6pm
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18:TRAVEL PLUS TOURS CHALLENGE 1st leg: Birmingham v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 19:BILLY SANDERS MEMORIAL: Ipswich 7.30
