(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORKINGTON are hoping to go one better than last season in Sunday’s Premier League Fours at Peterborough after finishing runners-up to Somerset in last years’ final.The Comets have been drawn in a semi-final with Edinburgh, Ipswich and the hosts, and their starting quartet is made up of Rene Bach, Rusty Harrison, Kyle Howarth and Ricky Wells.Boss Tony Jackson said: “Once again all the sides taking part look strong but I don’t see why we can’t do well as our quartet is as solid as anyone’s while at reserve Kenneth Hansen could prove to be our trump card on the day.“In many ways the semi-finals can be tougher than the final due to the fact that, at eight heats, you haven’t got much opportunity to recover from any misfortune you may suffer from and still book a place in the final. But, in the 12-heat final, those extra four races can give you an opportunity to overcome any problems and still go on to win it.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford says his side must focus on the all-round strength of Swindon when the sides meet on Wednesday - and not just the return to Wimborne Road of Pirates asset Darcy Ward.The Robins were victorious at Wolverhampton on Monday and are chasing another away win to boost their play-off chances, whilst the home side need three points to gain ground on Elite League leaders Coventry.Poole name a full-strength team whilst Swindon have Hans Andersen guesting for the injured Nick Morris and Darryl Ritchings steps in for Lewis Rose at reserve.Ford said: “We all know how good Darcy is on a bike and just what he is capable of producing around here - after all, we have benefitted from his scoring prowess for nearly five years, but Swindon's side goes much deeper than that.“I am still looking for consistency and improvement in certain areas of our team and I know the riders themselves are keen to not let anyone down, especially themselves and so the visit of Swindon will be very good test.”Ward said: “It will be tough but if we ride how we have been then we should have a chance of getting a point if not more.“It will be a good affair, it will be good for me to ride a track I know well and I’m looking forward to going back there after being away for so long. I’ll give my input to the boys but they’ve all been there before and at the end of the day everyone has got their own job to do but we’re all looking forward to it.”There are two other matches featuring play-off contenders on Wednesday, and if Swindon miss out at Poole then Belle Vue can take advantage with a home win over Lakeside at Kirkmanshulme Lane.Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “Lakeside are up there amongst Belle Vue’s bogey teams because in the past their riders have shown quite an affinity for our track, given its similarity to their own down in Purfleet.“They’re fighting to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon and quite rightly so because that’s an ‘honour’ no club is keen to acquire, so I’ve no doubt we can expect quite the skirmish.“Our home record this year has been admirable and we’re perfectly capable of continuing in the same vein against the Hammers if we’re to keep our ambitions for the late season feasible.”Meanwhile third-placed King’s Lynn take on Leicester seeking to continue their 100 per cent home record at the Adrian Flux Arena.The Lions remain injury-hit with Sam Masters and both regular reserves ruled out, although Grzegorz Walasek does return. Kevin Doolan, Carl Wilkinson and Ollie Greenwood all come in as guests.Stars boss Rob Lyon said: “Leicester are now our nearest rivals in geographical terms so hopefully the atmosphere will have a local derby like feel to it!“The Lions make their first visit to us this season after being called off in May, and I'm sure they will provide us with a difficult meeting. Last week we won a great match against Belle Vue and we want more of the same on Wednesday.”Lions manager Norrie Allan said: “The injury crisis has certainly wrecked what was promising to be a good year on the track and whilst we understand that the season is over for Josh (Auty), both Sam and Simon (Lambert) are optimistic of playing a part next month and we sincerely hope so. “We ran King’s Lynn close last season and by holding them to a six points win we collected a consolation match point there. That has to be our aim as a minimum again.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Birmingham will be looking to extend their 15-point lead at the top as they host King’s Lynn at Perry Barr, after their winning run finally came to an end at Rye House last weekend.Captain Tom Perry is back in the Brummies team after a short spell on the sidelines whilst Dan Greenwood comes in to guest for Adam Ellis at No.1.Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “First and foremost, we want to get back on the winning trail and it always means a lot to everyone at Birmingham Speedway to get one over King's Lynn."There's no easy match at any level of speedway and all of our riders will need to do their respective jobs for the team. It's great to have Tom back and I'm sure Dan will prove to be a fine choice of guest once again.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW have announced a return to British racing for Kauko Nieminen as they look to boost their side ahead of the Premier League run-in.Experienced Finnish star Nieminen, who rode for the Tigers back in 2006, comes in to replace the injured David Howe and will make his debut in Monday’s home clash with Plymouth.Manager Stewart Dickson said: “At this stage of the season, I didn't want to take a chance with an untried foreigner. This is not the year to do that. Kauko comes in on a 7.25 and I think we all know he'll be capable of getting that or being very close to that.“It's important we got somebody who knows the track and knows the script here. It's not new to him, so he's not learning. He's what I would call ready-made and it gives us a very strong top four.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JULY 29:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 8pm, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 30:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 31:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
