(SPEEDWAY 1 - MONDAY PREVIEW)
BELLE Vue No.1 Matej Zagar has been declared unfit to ride in the second leg of the Aces’ play-off semi-final at Swindon on Monday.The Slovenian required medical attention after competing in the Czech Golden Helmet meeting on Sunday, and will be flown to Poland today for further treatment for internal bleeding and pelvic haematomas.The Aces, who lead by 14 points from the first leg, have again booked Andreas Jonsson to guest for Zagar.Belle Vue chief Chris Morton said: “14 points is a fantastic margin for us to be taking to Swindon, but it’s not going to make the night’s work any easier for us and it’s only going to be as effective for as long as we can defend it.“Swindon is a great race track, and we’ve got a team of racers who certainly have the ability to pull this off. But the Robins know the place very well, as they’ve raced there weekly all season long.“If we can ride to our full potential, maintain our focus and continue to build on that strong level of solidarity within the team, as we have done so far, then I believe we can do it.”Swindon star Nick Morris said: “We've been riding well at home this year, we've felt confident at the Abbey and we've had some good results. We know we can do it, we just need everyone on top of their game and we can't afford any mistakes.“It's definitely possible, and knowing we need to get a result to keep our season going I'm sure everyone is going to be more determined than ever to ride well.“We have finished the season strongly and done a great job getting in the top four, so it would be tough for us to go out in the semis.”Meanwhile Poole and Coventry have clashed off-track ahead of their second leg with the sides level at 45-45 after Friday’s opener at Brandon.The Bees have expressed their displeasure at the absence of the Pirates’ Dakota North, with Edward Kennett coming in to guest for the Australian, and the visitors will be without reserve Jason Garrity after his Heat 11 crash in the first leg.Josh Bates stands in for the Bees, who will also operate rider-replacement for the injured Joonas Kylmakorpi.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “It’s all square and so we are down to a one-off meeting. The prize is big of course with a place in the final awaiting the winner and with us sitting on two consecutive titles our goal all year has been to try and secure a rare hat-trick of top flight titles. “We have an extra reason to do well now this year, and that is so we can dedicate a title to Darcy Ward who remains, as ever, in the forefront of our minds.”Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “We registered an appeal over the Poole team line-up on Sunday morning given their statement that Dakota had been ruled out on compassionate grounds, but we are now told they have a medical certificate for him.“The boys will still give it their all, and going into this meeting now as big underdogs will spur them on.”Kent stage the Silver Ski Holidays Championship at Central Park with the meeting to be followed by the club’s annual awards and presentations.
(SPEEDWAY 2 - SUNDAY REVIEW)
EASTBOURNE are through to the Gold Cup Final after a 58-31 win over Rye House at Arlington on Sunday.The Eagles trailed by five points going into the meeting but turned that margin around during a feisty second leg which saw the Raiders’ Robert Branford and home rider Georgie Wood disciplined by the referee.Eastbourne skipper Marc Owen said: “There was plenty of action in every way. It was a long drawn-out meeting with a lot of incidents. The end result was what we wanted.”Rye House boss John Sampford said: “This was the biggest defeat of our three matches in Sussex, and I think it’s fair to say that the boys were trying too hard. “You can’t fault their efforts – they desperately wanted the aggregate win - but they were making unforced errors. We suffered no less than seven “fell-excludeds”, and that statistic says plenty.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)JACK Parkinson-Blackburn and Tom Brennan secured the British Youth titles at 500cc and 250cc levels respectively on Sunday.Parkinson-Blackburn became the first rider to win five successive rounds in taking the 500cc title at Rye House to add to the Midland Development League Riders’ crown that he captured last month.14-year-old Brennan, meanwhile, added the 250cc championship to a cabinet that already boasts the 150cc and 125cc trophies. He went through the card for his third round success of the series.The 150cc and 125cc support classes on the day were won by Nathan Ablitt and Dan Thompson.Young Lions chief Neil Vatcher said: “A big vote of thanks to Rye House for re-arranging this fixture after the first date was washed away in July. “We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day this time around, and the riders also deserve credit for cracking through the 39 races in a little over two and a half hours. There was some good racing in all four classes, and every one of the 33 Young Lions out there once again gave 100 per cent.“Particular congratulations, of course, to Tom and Jack. Tom had already won the 125cc and 150cc titles, so he’s completed a hat-trick with the 250cc championship today. Next year, it’s on to the 500cc class for him.“And what can you say about Jack? He’s picked up maximum points from his first five rounds, and no one has ever done that before. It’s a really great achievement.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
FORMER Ipswich favourite Scott Nicholls will make a rare appearance back on the Foxhall circuit this Thursday.Nicholls, who last rode for the Witches in their final Elite League campaign of 2010, is a star attraction at the club’s hugely popular annual 16-Lap Classic event.The ex-GB captain was a title winner for Ipswich in 1998 and now leads Belle Vue, who have reached the Elite League play-offs for the first time in a decade.Witches co-promoter Chris Louis said: “We’re delighted Scott has agreed to ride in this prestigious event and I’m sure all the fans will be delighted to welcome him back.“He’s still a class act in the sport and from talking to him I know how determined he is to show he still knows the way around the circuit and to win the big 16-lap Final!”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS S/F 2nd leg: Poole v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30SILVER SKI HOLIDAYS CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23:GOLD CUP S/F 1st leg: Cradley v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24:16-LAP CLASSIC: Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25:LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
