(SPEEDWAY 1 - WEDNESDAY REVIEW)
POOLE moved back to the top of the Elite League table with a 53-40 home over Belle Vue - who still took major encouragement from their display.The Pirates are now a point ahead of Coventry, who have two matches in hand, after the 13-point victory which included a paid maximum from Dakota North.Maciej Janowski (12+1), Kyle Newman (11+2) and Kacper Gomolski (10) were also in double figures for the home side, whilst Craig Cook collected 11 for the visitors.Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “Of course it’s disappointing for us to have come away empty handed, but to put in such a result against a team like Poole, at this point in the season, is a fantastic achievement I feel.“It was always going to be a tall order for the boys and really the numbers don’t do justice to how much they put into tonight, but that’s part and parcel of the sport. You win some, you lose some.”Meanwhile Birmingham’s Adam Ellis was victorious in the FAST Golden Hammer staged by Cradley at Perry Barr.Ellis scored a 15-point maximum to finish one point ahead of Heathens skipper Max Clegg, whilst Kent’s Ben Morley was third on 11.Ellis said: “I couldn't be happier with how the night went for me and to win it is a great feeling. I made some good, fast starts in my first three and then pulled off some good passes in my last two.“It was great to see so many Birmingham supporters and that win was for them too. It was a really strong line-up and to come out on top is a really good achievement.”Cradley director Nigel Pearson said: “I just want to thank the Dudley Stroke Association, all the supporters and the Birmingham Speedway staff for a hugely successful night and offer my congratulations to Adam Ellis for a terrific victory.”
(SPEEDWAY 2 - THURSDAY PREVIEW)
KING’S Lynn will be without four riders for their home Elite League clash with Leicester on Thursday.Current heat-leaders Robert Lambert and Vaclav Milik are injured, along with reserve Lewis Kerr, whilst second-string Nicklas Porsing is racing in Sweden.Dakota North, Kevin Wolbert and Carl Wikinson come in as guests for the Stars who are looking to move back into the play-off places, with rivals Swindon’s home match against Coventry postponed.Leicester also require guests with Kevin Doolan, Steve Worrall and Ben Morley coming into the side as Sam Masters, Josh Auty and Simon Lambert are all ruled out.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “Monday’s results did not go in favour of the Stars who dropped out of the top four in the league this week and they will be keen to leapfrog over Swindon and Belle Vue at our expense. “We owe our fans a performance after the Poole result and of course we also need the points too.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
JOINT Peterborough boss Dale Allitt has hailed the progress being made by Lewis Kerr following his frightening Premier League Fours crash at the East of England Showground.King’s Lynn and Newcastle star Kerr was placed into an induced coma and airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge following the accident on August 2.Kerr has since made remarkable strides in his recovery and has now been allowed to return to his Norfolk base.Allitt, who has worked with Kerr at King’s Lynn in recent years, said: “It is really is fantastic to see Lewis be allowed to return home to continue the terrific progress he is making.“The medical staff at Addenbrooke's have done a fantastic job and we can't thank them enough.“The support received from the speedway community has also been nothing short of amazing and unforgettable, both for Lewis and his wife, Jessie.“Now is the time for Lewis to get back to full fitness in the company of his family, and with privacy.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
GREAT Britain’s Stefan Nielsen heads to Polish venue Lublin this weekend to compete in the second round of the World Under-21 Final.Nielsen won his first ride in the opening event in Italy and hopes to build on his five-point tally on Saturday.He said: “Of course there are no easy races, as these are the top 16 junior riders across the world, but I will be going to Poland in a positive sprit, and to do the best I can in every heat, and then see where I end up at the end of the evening.“If I can get a top eight finish that would be fantastic, and there’s no reason why I can't achieve that goal.”GB Under-21 coach Neil Vatcher, who will be in attendance, said: “The experience that Stefan will get racing in these events is invaluable and will benefit him in his quest to reach the top of his chosen career.“Of course these are very tough meetings, but Stefan is a cool guy, and rarely gets fazed by the occasion, and the 15 other competitors will certainly know that they will have a young lion racing in the field.”Nielsen has added thanks to all of his sponsors and all who have supported him to be able to ride in the World Under-21 Final, as well as the BSPA and SCB for their help and support.GB should also have had Kyle Howarth racing in the event, but following a crash at Workington last Saturday he is ruled out - although he should be fit for the World Under-21 Team Cup semi-final in Germany later this month.
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY AUGUST 13:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Swindon v Coventry OFF
FRIDAY AUGUST 14:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Rye House 7.15, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 15:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Eastbourne 7pm, Stoke v Cradley 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 16:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 5pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm, Mildenhall v Stoke 3.30PEUGEOT INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow 3pm
