BRITISH Speedway Chairman Alex Harkess has confirmed there will be a restaging of the Premier League Fours Final - on a Saturday night under lights.Newcastle, Somerset, Ipswich and Edinburgh will do battle over 16 races for the prestigious title and Harkess is currently in talks with a club to secure a neutral venue and a new date.The original staging of the meeting at Peterborough was abandoned following serious injuries sustained by Lewis Kerr who is thankfully now back at home recovering.Harkess says the delay in securing a restaging had been down to the fixture calendar and a clash with too many Sunday dates which would delay the Knockout Cup and play-offs.“We've been holding back to see how the Knockout Cup is shaping up and, quite frankly, Sundays are proving to be difficult to restage the Fours,” said Harkess.“It is the intention of the British Speedway Promoters' Association to hold the final between the four who qualified on the day at Peterborough over a 16 heat format.“We have the venue in mind where we believe it would be good geographically, if that's possible with the qualifiers, and to try and encourage as many fans as possible to come along and enjoy it.“I understand why people have been so keen to ask about the restaging but we are at a crucial stage of the season with the domestic competitions and we have been very careful to try and minimise disruption to those.“As soon as we have more details on the date and venue we will update through the usual outlets.“We've been very pleased with the response to our major events this season, the fans have turned out in force and they have been very successful.“We are all delighted to see Lewis Kerr making progress from his injuries and our thoughts, as always, are with those riders who have been hurt throughout the season.“There are some big meetings to come up and down the country and as chairman I wish all the clubs and riders the very best.”Fans can keep updated with the official news from British Speedway on their twitter feed @speedwaygb plus Facebook and the website speedwaygb.co with news, reports and previews.
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2015:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: JASON DOYLEBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: KYLE HOWARTHBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: IPSWICHPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Abandoned - Further news to followPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 6
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: BIRMINGHAMNATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn, Saturday September 5NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Saturday September 26
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Berwick, Saturday September 12
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE boss Mark Lemon is awaiting news of the re-arranged date for the Aces’ trip to Wolverhampton which could yet decide whether or not they reach the Elite League play-offs.Lemon said: “With a bit of luck we can pick up the points we’re after down there and hopefully see a few more laps at the old place (Kirkmanshulme Lane) before we call time on our season.“Nevertheless if we do miss out on a place in the play offs and end up finishing fifth in the league, of course we’ll be disappointed but at the same time I think its been a successful campaign for us.”COVENTRY manager Gary Havelock hopes the recent signing of Kyle Howarth for a second spell with the club will provide a boost to the team as a whole ahead of the run-in to the end of the season.Havelock said: “Kyle was with us throughout last season and was exceptional in the play-offs, so if he can get anywhere near to a repeat of that sort of form this year then it should hold us in pretty good stead.“He knows everyone in the team, and it should give us a new impetus. I know it’s going to lift Jason Garrity and James Sarjeant because they’re all really good mates, and Bomber (Chris Harris) and Hans (Andersen) will both be happy with the move too, so it definitely gives us the chance to raise our game for the final push.”KING’S LYNN have confirmed Vaclav Milik has left the club after stating he wants to take a break from British racing.Milik is now deemed to be withholding his services which means the Stars will be entitled to a guest or rider-replacement facility over the coming weeks, with Jacob Thorssell booked to ride in Tuesday’s rapidly re-arranged home clash with Leicester.LAKESIDE will have to wait until September 9 to complete their season as their scheduled trip to Coventry on Bank Holiday Monday was postponed.The Hammers had been set to bring in former Bees rider Aaron Summers to guest for the injured Mikkel Bech, and were also to have Robert Branford stepping in at reserve.LEICESTER have re-arranged their final home match of the season against for Thursday (September 3) after a rain-off on Bank Holiday Monday.Manager Norrie Allan said: “It is another important match for us against Poole because if we can add another three points to our total that will bring us to within distance of Lakeside. “I am mindful that time is running out for us and it is a tall order to lift ourselves off the bottom of the league table but not impossible as we are almost back to a full team now apart from Josh Auty. Whilst it is still mathematically possible then we have to believe that we can do it.”POOLE promoter Matt Ford admits the serious injuries suffered by club asset Darcy Ward in Poland have cast a shadow over the closing weeks of the season.Ford said: “We have felt a broken club since last Sunday and dealing with the news has taken a considerable amount out of the likes of Middlo (Neil Middleditch), Chris (Holder) and Davey Watt) in particular. Darcy has a very special place in our hearts at this club and it is still very difficult to come to terms with exactly what is happening.“Anyone who watched the Grand Prix on Saturday will have seen just how tough the whole occasion was for Chris. He was emotionally wrecked but he felt that he needed to ride on as much for Darcy than anything else.”SWINDON have re-signed Peter Kildemand as a replacement for the injured Darcy Ward, whilst reserve Lewis Rose also comes back into the team this week after a recent spell on the sidelines.Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “It’s been such a difficult week because of what’s happened to Darcy, but the show does have to go on and I’m very pleased to have Peter returning for us.“It was always the plan for Lewis to come back when he was fit again, and he's been patient with his injury and allowed it to fully heal.”WOLVERHAMPTON will stage a rare double-header at Monmore Green next Monday with both Belle Vue and Leicester visiting for Elite League matches - after the Aces were rained-off on Bank Holiday Monday.Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “If we didn't have to contend with the weather then being a speedway promoter would be the best job in the world, but unfortunately it doesn't work like that! “Thankfully we have Belle Vue back next Monday along with Leicester for what will be a bumper night of racing.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK ended their run of eight matches without a win as they overcame Workington 50-43 in a hard fought home battle on Saturday.Guest Ryan Fisher played a pivotal role in the Bandits’ win, dropping just one paid point to the opposition from six rides.Despite slipping to another heavy defeat in the reverse fixture the following day, team manager John Anderson was keen to focus on the positives. Speaking after Saturday’s victory he said: “This was more like it and our side finally took a deserved win – our first for quite a while!“We will try and make as decent an end to the season as we can. EDINBURGH have secured their place as Premier League top-dogs as the end-of-season play-offs fast approach.The Monarchs’ meeting at home to Berwick was called off late last Friday, but Peterborough’s defeat away at Somerset meant that no-one can catch the Scottish outfit at the top.It’s another big week for the Armadale side who travel to Ipswich in the League Cup on Thursday before hosting Newcastle in the Knockout Cup the following night.GLASGOW No.1 Richard Lawson says there’s no need for his team to panic as the end-of-season play-offs loom.The Tigers were dumped out of the Knockout Cup at the weekend a week after suffering a narrow home defeat to Premier League rivals Somerset.But Lawson is confident his side will return to winning ways. He said: “We’ll get on top of it; everyone’s really cool about things and they’re not dropping their heads.“I think most people can see that we haven’t been riding badly – there have been circumstances out of our hands.“I’m not concerned at all because it’s not something that’s going to continue!”IPSWICH rounded off their scheduled league fixtures with an impressive 61-29 victory over Peterborough last Thursday.The win means that the Witches currently sit nine-points clear of Plymouth in the chase for the final play-off place, but it’s the Foxhall men who will now have to sit and wait and hope for a slip-up from their challengers.Team manager Phil Hilton said: “We have to wait for them to finish their remaining fixtures before we know if we have done enough to secure that last place – not ideal but we have brought it on ourselves!“It’s a pity we couldn’t have ridden like the last two weeks for more of the season as we would already be in the play-offs then!”NEWCASTLE boss George English has praised his side and says it’s important that they have booked their place in the Premier League Knockout Cup Semi-Finals.The Diamonds put in two determined displays in home and away fixtures on Sunday to secure a 98-81 aggregate victory over Glasgow.The Tynesiders will now face Edinburgh in the last four.Said English: “I’m very pleased with the all-round team performance over both legs.“We are riding very well at home at the moment and it is very rare that the whole team gets paid for double figures like they did.“The team knew how important it was for the fans to progress to the next round and keep our chance of silverware for this season alive.”PETERBOROUGH captain Ulrich Ostergaard has described the signing of Anders Thomsen as a “major boost” for the club as the business end of the season looms.The Danish star proved his exciting potential at the weekend by being crowned the Under-21 European Champion.Said Ostergaard: “His scores for his clubs in Denmark and Poland have been very good and he has done really well in individual meetings.“I’m sure he will entertain and excite the fans; he is really quick and loves to pass people so our track should be great for him.”PLYMOUTH will be looking to make it seven home wins on the spin when they host Berwick on Friday.The Devils romped to an impressive 65-27 victory over Newcastle last Friday to keep their play-off push going.The St Boniface men linger just outside of the play-off places as things stand and need ten-points from a remaining possible 14 to overhaul Ipswich.REDCAR let vital Premier League points slip as a late collapse saw them suffer a 47-43 home defeat to Sheffield last Thursday.Bears boss Jitendra Duffill has called upon his riders to re-group quickly to avoid finishing bottom of the table.Duffill told The Gazette: “Unfortunately we only have a couple of meetings left but we’re still desperate to steer clear of that wooden spoon.“That means this Thursday’s match against Workington is a must win then who finishes bottom could all depend on who wins Friday’s match at Scunthorpe.”RYE HOUSE have swooped for teenage sensation Robert Lambert after he was recently released by Peterborough.Club owner Warren Scott is delighted to have secured Lambert’s signature for the remainder of the season. He said: “It’s virtually an understatement to say I am delighted and proud to have such an exceptional young talent as Robert on board.“His achievements to date speak for themselves and we all know what his full potential could be.“Robert is just one part of our plans for the future in what we see as being very exciting times.”SCUNTHORPE moved off the foot of the Premier League table with a 49-41 Bank Holiday victory over local rivals Sheffield.The Scorpions came out on top in tough conditions, much to the delight of team manager Dave Peet. He said: “It’s nice to move off the bottom but to be honest I don’t feel we’ve deserved to be down there – we’ve had a lot of bad luck this year!“The team spirit and determination of this side is not one that deserves to finish bottom.“But we’re not going to get giddy; we have a job to do in the crucial meeting against Redcar on Friday to consolidate our position.”SHEFFIELD’s run of five successive wins came to an end as they went down 49-42 at local rivals Scunthorpe on Monday.But with the play-offs fast approaching, co-promoter Damien Bates was keen to focus on the positives.Said Bates: “Jason (Garrity) justified his place at No.1 with a great performance, Paco (Castagna) rode much better at reserve and David Bellego has started to kick on now so there were plenty of positives to take from it.“The track conditions weren’t ideal and I think that went against us a little bit; in normal conditions I think we could well have got the win.”SOMERSET travel to Peterborough on Saturday for their final league fixture of the season – but before that they renew their old rivalry against Exeter.A special challenge meeting has been arranged at The Oaktree Arena this Friday with a bumper crowd expected.Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Some of the riders might be young in years, but they’ve already shown to be stars of the sport in titles they have won between them.“There have been some classic encounters (between Somerset and Exeter) and Friday night’s match has all the makings of following in those tyre-tracks.”WORKINGTON boss Tony Jackson says he was very disappointed with his side’s narrow defeat at Berwick on Saturday as the result officially ruled them out of contention for an end-of-season play-off spot.Said Jackson: “The fact of the matter is that while we have ridden well at home, we have significantly under-performed on the road which has obviously cost us dearly.“It has been extremely frustrating and as I have said previously, it is as if we are two totally different teams when you compare our home and away form!”
CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…
BIRMINGHAM have announced club captain Tom Perry and teenage ace Zach Wajtknecht as the two riders who will represent them in the National League Pairs at King's Lynn on Saturday.“I have every faith in Tom and Zach and I really do genuinely feel that they can go all the way," team boss Graham Drury remarked. “People will naturally be wondering why I haven’t included our No.1, Adam Ellis. Adam has had a lot of meetings lately and has gained plenty of experience from his meetings in the Elite League and whilst riding on the continent. Tom and Zach have had limited time on the bike this year and it will be another great experience for them both. “I wouldn’t have selected these two riders if I didn’t think they were up to guiding us to victory. They both love the King’s Lynn track and they both fully deserve this opportunity based on the way they have performed both on and off track in 2015.” BUXTON have pulled off a major coup with the signing of teenage hotshot Jack Parkinson-Blackburn as their No.8 until the end of the season.The youngster will join the Hitmen once he turns 15 on Wednesday, and team boss Jason Pipe is thrilled to have him at the Hi-Edge Raceway.Pipe said: "I'm over the moon that Jack has agreed to come to Buxton. Nearly every other club in the league have been after him, but he has really taken a liking to the Buxton track this season with doing regular 2nd half laps on his own and recently riding for Buxton in the MDL. "We are very close to where he lives and he knows a track like ours will make him in to an even better rider, because of its home track advantage and it being a technical track. I've worked closely with Jack and his Grandad Neal this season. I'm really excited about seeing him make his National League debut with us. I don't know who's more excited, me, Jack or his grandad!"Jack is a level headed kid and has his head screwed on. He's just has natural talent on a bike. Riders like him don't come around too often! When they do, everyone wants that rider." COVENTRY skipper Dan Greenwood was released from hospital on Saturday afternoon following a worrying crash at Brandon which caused the abandonment of the Storm’s match against Mildenhall.Storm boss Laurence Rogers said: “Dan was knocked unconscious and was out for a fair few minutes as our superb medical staff tended to him, and this clearly was going to take some time - we had to await the county ambulance, and the medics didn’t want to move him unnecessarily.“Thankfully he was released at around lunchtime the next day, but he has a cracked hip-bone, and is battered and bruised with a nice shiner. His kevlars and body armour were all cut off him whilst his helmet did its job but is a write-off.”CRADLEY boss Will Pottinger was frustrated to see his side fall agonisingly short of a consolation point as they went down 36-29 at rain-soaked Rye House on Saturday.Pottinger said: "It was unfortunate the rain came, we started off pretty well but when the rain started Rye House were the better team."The lads tried their best, but we just ran out of riders in the end and it was frustrating to just miss out on a point. It was a good effort, but just one of those nights where we didn't quite have enough."EASTBOURNE manager Glenn Martin says the Eagles are feeling confident as they attempt to hunt down Birmingham in the battle for the National League title.The two sides will meet in a crucial clash at Perry Barr on Wednesday, and Martin has revealed they are fully focused ahead of their make-or-break top of their table showdown.He said: “We are not feeling any pressure at all. It is Birmingham whose form has dipped. They have now lost four on the trot and we are totally focussed on catching them.“Our tails are well and truly up after a great run at Arlington and two superb victories on the road at Rye House and Kent. We are in a confident mood and I’m looking for more solid team performances, which is what we have been putting in of late."KENT new-boy Ben Basford is delighted to have earned a team place with the Kings as their official No.8 after a number of impressive guest appearances in the National League.Basford told the Speedway Star: "I've really learnt so much from the experience since moving up into the National League with the Kings and I'm really grateful for the opportunity an support I've been given."Signing as a club asset is a real boost to me. Everyone at Kent has been so supportive and though I know I have still a lot to learn, the advice and encouragement I get every week is lifting me enormously." KING'S LYNN boss Dale Allitt says he is proud to be continuing their tradition of developing young riders in 2015.The likes of Josh Bailey and Ryan Kinsley have burst onto the scene this season, and Allitt is proud to be maintaining the ethos of the Young Stars.He told the Speedway Star: "The real thing that makes you proud ever since we've done National League is, we do it to bring the kids through."You look at what Josh Bailey has done and what Ryan Kinsley has done at what Tom Stokes has done - they are all kids. "Scott (Campos) is the oldest and he's 24. Layne Cupitt is 17, Ryan is 16 and Josh is 17. That's why we do it." MILDENHALL promoter Kevin Jolly is backing Daniel Halsey and Connor Mountain to spring a surprise as they represent the Fen Tigers in the National League Pairs at King's Lynn on Saturday.Jolly said: "We are in a difficult group but I have every confidence in Danny and Connor putting on a good show. This will be a top event and there will be no easy rides but both are more than capable of beating their opponents. "Being at Kings Lynn it should be an excellent race surface and with the backing of our loyal support the lads should be there or thereabouts."RYE HOUSE have announced the departure of Andrew Silver from the club.Silver had headed up their National League operations and was team manager of the Raiders, but in a club statement the management team said: "We would obviously like to thank Andrew for his contribution to the club in what is already building to be a memorable season for the Raiders, and to wish him all the best for the future."However, the relationship between the two parties has come to a point where the time is right for us to go our separate ways."We will now focus on the important fixtures that lie ahead for both Rye House teams in what is now the business end of the season, as well as building towards the longer term future of the club." STOKE ace Danny Phillips is excited to battle for national glory in the British Under 19 Championship at Berwick on September 12. Phillips told the Speedway Star: "There is a mixed bag of riders in terms of experience, but Berwick is a track that I have ridden in the past and I don't mind it."I'm not one for making predictions as a rule, but I'd like to think I can do reasonably well on the night and I intend to aim high. I have raced in this competition and the Under 21s in the past so hopefully that little bit of experience will help. It's a big meeting and one I want to do well in."
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30, King’s Lynn v Kent 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7.15TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset Select v Exeter Select 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Peterborough v Somerset 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn 7.30BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: Redcar 2pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Cradley 3pm, Eastbourne v Kent 7.30, Mildenhall v Birmingham 3.30, Rye House v Stoke 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Leicester (follows previous fixture) PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Peterborough 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Rye House 6.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Lakeside 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Rye House 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.15TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Plymouth 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Rye House 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Buxton 7pm, Coventry v Rye House (follows previous fixture)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12:BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Berwick 7pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Plymouth 7pm, Workington v Edinburgh 7pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Rye House 3pm, Peterborough v Scunthorpe 3pmCITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v King’s Lynn 3pm, Mildenhall v Rye House 3.30, Stoke v Cradley 6pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS S/F 1st leg: TBC v TBC 7.30, TBC v TBC 7.30TUNNEL TROPHY: Kent v Arena-Essex 6.30
