(SPEEDWAY 1 - WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford wants to go into the World Cup break on a high as his in-form Pirates taken on King’s Lynn in the Elite League on Wednesday.The Pirates can move to the top of the table with a win, and they face a Stars team who have booked Chris Harris and ex-Poole man Josh Grajczonek to replace the unavailable Niels-Kristian Iversen and the injured Rory Schlein. Kenneth Bjerre returns from injury for the visitors.Ford said: “This is a big meeting for us as King's Lynn are clearly one of the title favourites and we need to keep our momentum going against these top sides.“Since coming away pointless from Wolverhampton at the beginning of May we have picked up 19 out of a possible 22 points and we really need to make that 22 out of 25 before we head into another break in fixtures with the World Cup on the horizon.”Adult admission has been reduced to £10 for the meeting - the same price as when Ford took over at Wimborne Road in 1999.In the City Gearboxes National League, Birmingham are also chasing top spot as they welcome Buxton to Perry Barr after an impressive win at Kent on Monday.The Brummies return to full strength with Sam Chapman back after two months on the sidelines - but boss Graham Drury is guarding against complacency.Drury said: “It will be very pleasing to be able to track a 1-7 of our own riders for the first time since the second meeting of the season. “We enjoyed a great win at Kent on Monday, but we can’t take anything for granted and it will take another big team effort if we want to beat Buxton. It’s a potential banana skin for us if we don’t have 100 per cent concentration and they’ve got some decent riders who could cause us some problems.”Buxton manager Jason Pipe said: “No disrespect to Brum's other riders, but their danger men are (Adam) Ellis, (Tom) Perry and (Zach) Wajtknecht. Zach has been their trump card so far. “If we can keep one of those three quiet on the night, then we have a good chance of picking up a result. We must go there with the aim of getting at least a point, which should always be our minimum aim at all away meetings and then any more points are a bonus.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn put their unbeaten home record on the line against a Coventry team who have only raced away matches so far, and have nine points to show for it, with new averages meaning Dan Greenwood moves up to the No.1 riding position.Lynn boss Dale Allitt said: “Coventry come to us with a strong side that has some good riders at this level, but we have already shown this year that we are good at home.“The guys have confidence riding at the Adrian Flux Arena and we will use that to our advantage on Wednesday. I am expecting a close meeting with both sides evenly matched, but I want another win to keep our unbeaten home record.”Coventry manager Laurence Rogers said: “The lads were really frustrated having their first home league match cancelled last week but are really up for the trip to Norfolk to keep up our challenge for honours.“We go to Kings Lynn aiming to continue our superb away form and add some valuable league points to our tally. We know it will be a tough one as the Young Stars are solid on their home track but I have every faith in our septet and we aim to come home with the spoils!”(SPEEDWAY 2)
PLYMOUTH have announced a return to the club for Roland Benko in time for their home clash with Glasgow on Friday.Benko rode for the Devils last season and was lined-up for their 2015 team but had to pull out due to domestic matters in Hungary, which have now been resolved, and he replaces Sam Chapman.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “We are pleased to welcome Roland back to Plymouth. He has some unfinished business as far as we are concerned. “His away form was less than spectacular, but Roland was gating well and getting some good scores at home. This season he will be back with a greater knowledge of away tracks, so we are looking forward to improved performances away from home.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
EASTBOURNE have moved to make Richard Andrews a full asset of the club.Andrews was originally on the books of Newport but reverted to the BSPA when the Wasps folded, and chairman Martin Dugard says the Eagles always intended to build their asset base this year.He said: “Richie has made fantastic progress this year and shows great form home and away. As well as his points, he is real joy to work with and a huge part of our team.“We started the year with a blank piece of paper when it came to assets but were determined to build up the club's strength.”(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 4:PREMIER LEAGE: Sheffield v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15, Somerset v Rye House 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30
