(SPEEDWAY 1)
PETERBOROUGH promoter Ged Rathbone believes his chosen Premier League Fours quartet can challenge for glory on Sunday.The Panthers have named captain Ulrich Ostergaard, teenage talent Robert Lambert, fit-again Lewis Blackbird and in-form Michael Palm Toft as their line-up for the East of England Showground extravaganza, with Emil Gronal as reserve.Rathbone said: “We are able to track a team worthy of such an event and it is one I feel can make a strong challenge for the title. We would love to win the event in front of our own fans and end the club's long wait for a trophy. “I must reiterate my thanks to the British Speedway Promoters' Association for being sympathetic towards our situation with regards to injuries and ineligibility.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
POOLE cut the gap on Elite League leaders Coventry back to two points with a 54-36 win over Swindon at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.Current Pirates’ No.1 Chris Holder got the better of recent Robins signing Darcy Ward in Heat 1 and Holder dropped his only point when retiring from Heat 15 - whilst skipper Maciej Janowski scored a paid maximum from four rides. Swindon guest Hans Andersen won his last two rides to finish on nine, whilst Ward scored 8+2 on his first return to his former club.Janowski said: “I was proud of the team's performance. Matt (Ford) and Middlo (Neil Middleditch) had asked for a big one and the lads responded.”Swindon’s failure to score league points enabled Belle Vue to move back into the play-off places with a 52-37 win over Lakeside at Kirkmanshulme Lane.The Aces made a slow start, conceding an opening-race 5-1, but a solid overall performance saw them stretch clear with Craig Cook leading the way on ten points and Max Fricke adding 9+3.Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “It was a struggle for us early doors to get rolling but as the evening progressed the gates swung in our favour. We never panicked all night and the final result is a true reflection of our effort.“We know there's a lot at stake, and certainly a lot to be done, between now and the play offs but I think it emphasises in our performance that were definitely pushing in the right direction.”King’s Lynn’s home meeting with Leicester was abandoned after nine races due to rain with the Stars holding a 38-25 lead at the time - leaving Stars boss Rob Lyon frustrated with the match now to be re-staged.He said: “I think the track was holding up well and our boys (Kenneth Bjerre and Vaclav Milik) were happy to go out as was their guest Kevin Doolan, just to complete ten races. I don’t think our supporters would have been too concerned if we got to ten heats and knocked it on the head as it was pretty clear the weather was coming in.“I said to the referee that rider safety is paramount, but we had three riders out ready to race in Heat 10, that showed me that they were happy to go out there and do it - if it was that dangerous then they wouldn’t have done it.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Birmingham’s lead at the top of the table is up to 18-points after their 51-39 win over King’s Lynn at Perry Barr.Zach Wajtknecht scored a 15-point maximum for the Brummies with returning captain Tom Perry adding 13+1, whilst Young Stars reserve Josh Bailey impressed with 12+1.Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “First and foremost we got the win and that was the most important thing. Zach and Tom were class acts yet again tonight and were both remarkable.“There were a few who weren't firing on all cylinders but we'll make sure they're all fired up and ready for the big one next Wednesday (against Cradley).” King’s Lynn manager Dale Allitt said: “I am proud of the team tonight, especially as our guys hadn't been to Perry Bar before. The track was tricky, but I think they all performed well and we can be pleased with their performance. “Josh rode really well as did Jake (Knight), who did well to win Heat 13. Birmingham are a good side and we knew it would be tough, really tough to go there and win but we gave it a good shot and pushed them hard again.”
(SPEEDWAY 3 - THURSDAY PREVIEW)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter knows there is no margin for error when his side take on Lakeside at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.The Robins were beaten at Poole on Wednesday and will need further away wins to make the play-offs - but they also have to avoid slipping up at home.Hans Andersen continues as a guest for Nick Morris for the Robins, who also bring in Robert Branford for Lewis Rose at reserve.Rossiter said: “It was disappointing at Poole, but we have to put that behind us and focus on the Lakeside meeting.“It's one meeting we know we can't afford to lose and we need the support of the Swindon fans, get down to the Abbey and get behind us.“We're pushing hard and will give it everything we've got to reach our target. We cannot afford to take anything for granted, we know that.”In the Premier League, Sheffield hand an official full debut to Paco Castagna in their home clash with Rye House, whilst Brady Kurtz guests for Simon Stead at No.1 and rider replacement operates for Andre Compton who is out with a wrist injury.The Rockets welcome back Kasper Lykke after his own recent absence, and they have booked Josh Grajczonek at No.1 as Edward Kennett is racing in the Elite League, with rider-replacement for Anders Mellgren who is racing in Sweden.Kurtz said: “I really like riding at Sheffield, it’s a big, fast track which is always well prepared, so it’s good fun to ride so I’m pleased to have another meeting for them tonight. “I seem to be finding the quickest way around, getting plenty of speed and winning races so it’s good for me to be getting all these guest bookings.”Rockets boss John Sampford said: “There’s no doubt that we’ll also be boosted by seeing Kasper back after nearly two months out, and knowing what he’s been scoring when he’s been available, while Danny (Maassen) will be out to build on his paid-nine last Saturday when he returns to the track he rode at in 2013.“We are absolutely determined to continue from where we left off at Shielfield Park (Berwick). Owlerton has often been cited in the past as a graveyard for us too, but we won there twice in 2013, and we showed on Saturday what we are capable of when everything clicks.”Ipswich are one place behind Sheffield, and also in a play-off position, ahead of their Foxhall clash with bottom-placed Scunthorpe.The Scorpions have brought in Thomas Jorgensen to guest for the injured Josh Auty with Matt Williamson replacing Ben Wilson (broken pelvis) at reserve. Ipswich use rider-replacement for Rohan Tungate who is serving a 21-day ban.Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey admits his efforts to make a new signing have drawn a blank, saying: “I lost count of the number of riders I spoke with over the weekend, but none of them could commit to our final nine meetings.“Thomas Jorgensen has top scored at Ipswich for us in the past, and is good value around Foxhall Heath, while Matt Williamson will always give it his all for us.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SOMERSET have reduced adult admission prices to £10 for their televised Premier League clash with title rivals Edinburgh on August 11.The Rebels will also offer free admission to those aged 18 and under, with proof of age if requested - and promoter Debbie Hancock is expecting another Oaktree Arena thriller in front of the cameras.She said: “We are delighted that the Sky cameras will be back at the Oaktree Arena, making it the seventh year in a row that we have had the pleasure of Sky Sports here at Somerset,“Each year we have been blessed with an excellent turn-out crowd-wise and we would love to pack out the place again for this year’s visit by the Sky team for our meeting against Edinburgh, the current league table-toppers. The previous meetings broadcast live by the Sky cameras have all been real humdingers.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
KENT have handed a recall to Adam Sheppard for a busy weekend schedule of three matches in three days as Danno Verge takes time out of the Kings team.Sheppard stood down last month to concentrate on eradicating mechanical problems and rebuilding confidence in the Midland Development League.Manager Chris Hunt said: “There’s no question that Adam has shown a great attitude to his difficulties: investing in improvements to his machinery and by working hard getting as much racing as he can in the MDL, in challenge matches and in second halves. “Throughout Adam’s career from 2012 to date he’s shown great enthusiasm riding in the development leagues and riding all over the country to get experience. It’s obviously been a disappointment that so far things have not worked out in the CGNL and this is Adam’s chance to show he can indeed step up.”
(FIXTURES)
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
SATURDAY AUGUST 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15, Rye House v Newcastle 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pmTRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Redcar 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Kent 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 2:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough 2pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent 3pm
