(SPEEDWAY 1 - LEWIS KERR UPDATE)
IN response to the overwhelming support received by Jessie and the Kerr family, they wish to let everyone know that Lewi is now breathing unaided after being taken off the ventilator.The family wanted everyone to know of this positive development as the support they are receiving from the speedway community has been overwhelming.However the doctors have stressed that this does not mean that Lewi is out of the dark yet and this is still a very serious situation though he could not be in better hands than those of the magnificent staff of Addenbrookes Hospital. Come on Lewi.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
FIVE British riders will compete in the 250cc class of the FIM Youth World Cup at Lamothe-Lanerddon in South France this weekend.In previous years, Great Britain have sent one or two representatives to this event, but just to show the development of the British Youth Riders in recent times, this year Britain has a record number of entries.In semi-final 1, Great Britain will be represented by 16 year old Jack Smith and 14 year old Kean Dicken, both sons of ex-riders Andy and Lee respectively.Then in the second semi-final GB has three representatives - Tom Brennan and Henry Atkins, both 14 years old, and the youngest of the Brits at just 13 and the winner of this year’s FIM 125cc Gold Trophy - so trying to complete a double - Kyle Bickley.British Youth chief Neil Vatcher said: “This is a great event run by the FIM, as there is a three-day training camp run from Wednesday August 5 until Friday, followed by two semi-finals on Saturday evening, which each consist of 20 riders from across the World, then the top 12 from each Semi qualify for the Final on Sunday evening.“Each of the British riders will be aiming to make the all-important top 12 position in their semis to enable them to compete in Sundays World Final.“The Young Lions Management would like to wish all five competitors the best of luck in their quest to become the 2015 FIM 250cc World Champion.”
(SPEEDWAY 3 - WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford refuses to believe that the top spot in the Elite League is beyond the Pirates - despite having failed to pick up wins in their last five away matches and still trailing leaders Coventry by five points.Ahead of their home fixture against basement club Leicester on Wednesday Ford is calling on his side to believe more in themselves. He said: “People have been suggesting that Coventry will surely finish top but I don't subscribe to that belief right now. That is why our relatively barren meetings away have hurt me so much. We could and should have been within touching distance of them by now, and to a large extent I feel we have a slightly easier run in.“We have to fancy our chances against Leicester and that will leave us with Belle Vue and Swindon both coming here, whilst I feel we are more than capable of results at Lakeside and Leicester. Coventry have to face Swindon three times still, so we need to take our chances.”Leicester will arrive at Wimborne Road with three guests due to their injury problems, with Kevin Doolan in the top five and Oliver Greenwood and Lee Payne at reserve.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “The defeat on Saturday against Lakeside is now behind us and we have to look forward with a positive outlook. We have three more home fixtures, and we must win them all, and eight away, of which two are against Wolverhampton, the team closest to us in the table. “Our form on the road has to improve greatly to the extent of securing match points, there is no question of that if we are to close the gap and then overtake clubs above us.”Meanwhile Belle Vue can move back into the play-off places if they defeat Wolverhampton in the second meeting in 48 hours at Kirkmanshulme Lane.Josh Grajczonek is expected back for the Aces after missing Monday’s win over Poole on compassionate grounds, whilst Wolves also hope to be back at full strength with Josh Bates due back.Belle Vue skipper Scott Nicholls said: “We’ve got to be on our toes for every match, from now until the end of the year. As I’ve always said, Wolverhampton ride our track very well so complacency doesn’t come into it.“From a captain’s perspective, it feels fantastic to have arrived at this point not only within touching distance of the top four but to also have something to fight for each time we arrive at the track.”Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “If we can pinch something at Belle Vue then things will certainly be looking up.“They have been riding well so it’s going to be tough, but every match starts 0-0 and we’ve had some good performances at Kirky Lane in the past so we’ll be hoping for another one on Wednesday.”In the City Gearboxes National League, Perry Barr co-tenants Birmingham and Cradley meet in a clash of the top two clubs.The Brummies hold an 18-point advantage in the table over the defending champions, and the Heathens will be without Matt Williamson who has not overcome injury sustained at Workington last weekend in time. The visitors operate rider replacement for Williamson, with Darryl Ritchings guesting for Nathan Greaves.Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “There’s so much riding on this one match for both clubs and every single point in every single race is going to be crucial.“While there’s pressure on both sets of riders, I do feel as though Cradley are the ones who have much more to lose. If they don’t pick up a win, then realistically, that’s any glimmer of National League title hopes gone for them.”Cradley manager Will Pottinger said: “Realistically, if we are going to have any hope of winning the league we have to beat Birmingham on Wednesday so it’s a must-win match.“It’s going to be a big challenge, but we are looking forward to it. After losing our ‘home’ meeting against them we have been waiting for the chance to get revenge, and we are desperate for a much better outcome this time around.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn are looking to move above Rye House with a win over the Raiders at the Adrian Flux Arena.Young Stars boss Dale Allitt said: “We want to win the meeting and move off the bottom of the table. I believe we are strong enough to do that, Rye House have some good riders but we are confident at home.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
GLASGOW have been dealt a blow with recent signing Kauko Nieminen suffering a suspected broken collarbone.The Finnish star only made his Tigers debut on Monday but crashed in his homeland 24 hours later and now seems set for a spell on the sidelines.Glasgow captain Aaron Summers said: “Kauko was just getting settled in. I rode with him earlier on in the season in Sweden, so I know what he can do, and it would have been really good to have him. He hadn't had any track time on Monday so for him to do that well, it showed signs of what was to come.“A collarbone is only a three or four-week job a lot of the time, so hopefully he won't be too long out and he can come back in for the end of the season.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 8pm, Poole v Leicester 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Cradley 7.30, King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 6:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 7:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Peterborough 7.30, Plymouth v Ipswich 7.15, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Eastbourne OFF
