BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN 2015/29

BIG EVENT LATEST…

BEN Morley was crowned National League Riders’ Champion with a 15-point maximum at Rye House last Saturday.The Kent skipper had finished third in the event last year but he went two places better this time around as his main rival Adam Ellis came to grief on the last bend of Heat 20 when pushing Morley for victory.That left the Birmingham No.1 outside the top three, with Morley’s Kent team-mate Danny Ayres defeating home man Robert Branford in a run-off for second place after they tied on 12 points.It completed a unique double for the Central Park club as Morley and Ayres had previously teamed up to win the National League Pairs at King’s Lynn earlier in the season.Morley said: “There are no words to explain how I feel right now. To finally end up on top is a great feeling. Being with Danny in the Pairs was great, but what a way to finish off the year winning this!“Heat 20 was probably the hardest race I’ve ever ridden. I was just trying to stay in front of Adam. He pushed me all the way, and it’s a shame it ended the way it did.“Big thanks to everyone at Kent. They brought a coach here to support Danny and myself, and I really appreciate it all. Also my dad and mum, and everyone that’s in the background; there are so many that support me up and down the country, so thank you all.”Ayres added: “I knew I could do it if I pulled it all together, but I have struggled with the individuals; they just haven’t come together for me. “But it obviously has tonight. I felt a bit of a bad one when I came third, but then to still get the run-off was amazing. I can’t believe that I’m here on the rostrum.”Branford said: “I didn’t come here for third place, but at the end of the day it’s better than fourth, isn’t it? I’m glad that one of the Rye House boys could get up here (on the rostrum). “I just want to say a massive thank-you to everyone at Rye House, who have been great to me this year. I didn’t expect so much when I came to this club; they’ve looked after me well and I’ve really enjoyed my season.”Rye House promoter Len Silver said: “There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best NLRC that we’ve ever seen on this track. “My congratulations go to every single rider. They’ve left me absolutely breathless this evening.”

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2015:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: JASON DOYLEBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: KYLE HOWARTHBRITISH FINAL: TAI WOFFINDENPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: IPSWICHPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Redcar, Thursday October 1PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: ULRICH OSTERGAARD

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: BIRMINGHAMNATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: KENTNATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: BEN MORLEY

BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: JOSH BATESELITE LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE boss Mark Lemon knows it’s a case of all or nothing when the Aces visit Poole in the second leg of the Elite League Grand Final after Monday’s 46-46 draw in Manchester.Lemon said: “Considering we were 10 points down after twelve heats, we've proved again just what we're capable of delivering here at home, and the feeling in the team is very good because of it."We've got to just remain focused. We started off slowly and finished off strong but it's not over yet. We've gone to Poole and drawn there before so there's no reason why we can't go there and win.”LEICESTER promoter David Hemsley insists he is still keen to work with No.1 Jason Doyle again in 2016, despite reports indicating the Austalian ace would prefer a midweek home track next season.Hemsley said: “I can fully understand Jason's position as he is the consummate professional who wants to give off his very best wherever he is racing. “We certainly do not want to see him go as he has been a beacon for the club both in domestic competitions and internationally. If we can find ways of alleviating Jason's concerns then we will work towards that in the hope that he can see a way forward to leading Leicester again next season.”POOLE promoter Matt Ford had mixed feelings after the first leg of the Elite League Grand Final which saw the Pirates’ lead at Belle Vue eroded into a 46-46 draw.Ford said: “We looked to be in a commanding position at one stage, holding a 13-point lead after six heats and it took them (Belle Vue) ten heats to gain their first genuine heat advantage, so it was a disappointment to come away on level terms. “But we always knew it was going to be tough and genuinely if you had offered me that option before a wheel was turned I would have taken it. It is going to be a very interesting second leg, that's for sureSWINDON will shortly unveil the line-up for the Abbey Farewell on October 11, which is set to feature a host of past and present Robins riders.Owner Terry Russell said: “We want this to be a superb night of entertainment between 4-7pm and we feel it appropriate to take a few moments to remember the Robins riders who have passed away.“It is the end of an era and we want to see the place packed. We have also pegged admission prices at our normal level.”WOLVERHAMPTON are making preparations for their final meeting of the season with the Recycled Aggregate Services Olympique next Tuesday.Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “We've got Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris booked again who tend to ride every year because they are terrific entertainers and the crowd just love watching them race around Monmore.“We've also been tipped off that Nikolaj Busk Jacobsen at Rye House has been very impressive in his first year of British racing, he's a very ambitious young rider so we are going to have a look at him as well”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

EDINBURGH were crowned League Cup winners after a 100-79 aggregate victory against Glasgow.The Monarchs secured a 45-all draw in the second leg, but a 21-point victory in their home tie proved the defining factor in the clash.Speaking after Sunday’s second leg, Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “The important thing was our start to the match; we simply buried them at that stage.“Overall it was great and we have big matches coming up.”The Monarchs travel to Somerset later this evening for the first leg of their Knockout Cup fixture with the return and their play-off semi-final still to come later this week as well as the final of the Premier League Fours.GLASGOW lost out to Scottish rivals Edinburgh as they suffered a 21-point aggregate defeat in the League Cup Final.Tigers team manager Stewart Dickson said: “It’s disappointing – you don’t want to lose in the Final.“I’m sick of the sight of Edinburgh celebrating up at the fourth bend with their fans every time they come to Ashfield! The better team won over the two legs.”Glasgow now turn their attentions to their play-off quarter-finals against Plymouth later this week.IPSWICH riders secured all three rostrum places at the club’s 16 Lap Classic at Foxhall last Thursday.The meeting was won by skipper Danny King with Nico Covatti and Stefan Nielsen finishing in second and third respectively.The Witches will be looking to finish their season on a high when they line-up in the Premier League Fours final at Redcar this Thursday.NEWCASTLE have secured a new five-year tenancy deal with their Brough Park landlords William Hill.Diamonds promoter George English said: “It is a big moment for everyone here at Newcastle Speedway to be able to get this five year agreement. “There have been tense discussions between both parties with different interests, but we have to thank William Hill for working with us and being accommodating to us.“The future of Newcastle Speedway is looking healthy at the moment, which is great for the area. “The city is recognised as having a speedway team so it is important to keep that going.”PETERBOROUGH made it through to the semi-finals of the Premier League play-offs after a 97-82 victory over Sheffield.The Panthers will host Edinburgh in the first leg of those semi-finals this Sunday and have booked Nicklas Porsing to guest at No.1.Joint team boss Dale Allitt said: “He is a class act who has experience of riding in play-offs in the UK, Sweden and Poland and we’re delighted to have him on board.“He knows all about how to ride the Showground and while he has never been to Edinburgh before, I feel it is the sort of track I believe will suit him.”PLYMOUTH will be without their experienced No.1 Ryan Fisher for their play-off quarter-finals against Glasgow this weekend.The American has been forced to return home to the USA to focus on his family business.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor says it’s important his side remain positive. Said Taylor: “As always, Plymouth will be riding for a successful outcome and a place in the semi-finals against our local rivals Somerset who we have beaten both home and away this season in the league.”REDCAR host the final of the Premier League Fours this Thursday.Ipswich, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Somerset will go head-to-head at the Media Prime Arena.Bears promoter Brian Havelock said: “It is without doubt the biggest event we have staged here since the sport returned to Teesside back in 2006. “The Fours always provides plenty of entertainment, it is always a highly charged affair and I'm certain Thursday will be no different.“As a club we will be making every effort to do the meeting justice in much the same way as Peterborough always have done down the years.”RYE HOUSE rounded off their hugely disappointing Premier League campaign with a 52-40 defeat away at Newcastle on Sunday.The result means the Rockets finish one place off the foot of the second tier table.Injuries to key riders has certainly hindered the Hoddesdon outfit in 2015 and it was an injury-hit side that went down on their final meeting of the season.Co-promoter Len Silver said: “Considering that we have a very depleted side we put up an extremely good performance and got the best out of all our riders.”SHEFFIELD’s season is over after they suffered a 51-38 defeat at Peterborough in the second leg of their play-off quarter-final tie.It’s been an injury-plagued season for the Owlerton outfit and despite initial disappointment, Danish star Nicolai Klindt says the club can be proud of their efforts.Said Klindt: “It’s always tough when you make the play-offs and then get knocked out, but I think given how long it had been since Sheffield made the play-offs after with all the injuries over the season the club can be proud of how far they came.“It’s been a great achievement to get this far, and the club have definitely got plenty to build on heading into next year.”SOMERSET host Edinburgh tonight (Tuesday) in the first leg of the Knockout Cup Grand Final.The match will be the 400th meeting to be staged at The Oaktree Arena and Rebels’ boss Garry May as expecting an entertaining clash.Said May: “The boys are especially keen to put in a good performance on Tuesday night, not only in order to build up a lead ahead of Friday’s second leg back up in Edinburgh.“Whatever way you look at it, I think this will be a very close, and very exciting Final, and hopefully the Oaktree Arena will be packed with Somerset fans for the first leg and act as that all-important ‘8th rider’ as they get behind the boys in what promises to be a cracking night of speedway action.”

CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…

BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury was in jubilant mood after his side stormed to a crushing 54-36 win over local rivals Cradley in the first leg of their Gold Cup semi-final tie.The Brummies will take on their Perry Barr co-tenants in the second leg on Wednesday with a healthy advantage - and Drury has called on them to deliver a repeat performance."That was a real classy performance from our riders - but it's only half-time with fifteen races left to go," said Drury."That was the youngest ever side to represent Birmingham Speedway and to win by such a margin deserves a lot of credit. We will just need to ride sensibly next week, but we'll definitely be looking for another win."BUXTON manager Jason Pipe was disappointed to see the tactical ride rule once again go against them as they slipped to a last-gasp 47-46 defeat at Mildenhall on Sunday.Pipe said: "It's déjà vu after our performances at both Kent and Eastbourne once again it was that tactical ride. I was pleased overall with the performance and if you take away that tactical ride we won 46-44! "The reserves were excellent with Steve (Jones) scoring paid 12 and young Jack (Parkinson-Blackburn) paid 8 but when you have to cover rider replacement you need your top four riders to be on form and we didn’t quite achieve that. I said before the meeting I would be happy with a point and that’s what we eventually got." COVENTRY Storm have announced a Sunday, October 25 double-header to wrap up their campaign.They will host Eastbourne and Mildenhall in their final two outstanding National League fixtures at Brandon with a 4pm start time.Meanwhile, the Storm have been awarded a win from their National League clash with Rye House back on September 11 which was abandoned due to rain with Storm leading 32-19 after eight races. CRADLEY boss Will Pottinger was left lamenting their misfortune on a nightmare evening as they slumped to a 54-36 defeat in the first leg of their Gold Cup semi-final tie with Birmingham last week.Already suffering from injury problems, the Heathens lost No.1 Max Clegg to a high-speed crash early on and were unable to prevent a resounding defeat.Pottinger commented: "When you're already using rider replacement you can't afford for anyone to have an off night or for anyone else to pick up an injury - unfortunately both of those things happened to us."Michael Neale and Tyler (Govier) really struggled and the injury to Max didn't help our cause one bit. That left us with more-or-less a three man team and when we're up against a team with the strength that Birmingham have got we never stood a chance the way things panned out."EASTBOURNE manager Glenn Martin was relieved to see star man Bradley Wilson-Dean walk away from a horrifying crash in the first leg of their Gold Cup tie with Rye House 10 days ago.The Kiwi racer flew over the safety fence at high-speed but emerged with only cuts and bruises meaning he is expected to be fit to lead the Eagles in their quest for silverware over the closing weeks of the season.However, Martin admits he initially feared much more serious damage for Wilson-Dean as he told the Speedway Star: "He went flying. It was a horrible crash and you always fear the worst. I couldn't believe he got up and walked away from it." KENT star Ben Morley was in jubilant mood after claiming arguably the biggest win of his career so far in the National League Riders' Championship at Rye House on Saturday.Morley earned a memorable triumph ahead of Kings team-mate Danny Ayres, and he said: "There’s really no ways to explain how I feel. I’ve been runner-up a few years and to finally end up on top is a great feeling."Heat 20 was so tense - I was just trying to stay in front that was probably the hardest race I’ve ever ridden. Adam (Ellis) pushed me all the way and it was a shame it ended how it did, I was just glad to come out on top.”“Having been with Danny (Ayres) in the Pairs and us winning that, it’s just such a perfect way for us to both to end the year. I’d also like to thank everyone from Kent who came down to support us we really do appreciate it.”KING'S LYNN boss Dale Allitt was pleased to see Tom Stokes and Ryan Kingsley both gain invaluable experience in the National League Riders' Championship on Saturday.Stokes put in a solid display to notch eight points at Rye House whilst youngster Kingsley battled valiantly against a strong field after being handed a late call-up.Young Stars team manager Allitt said: “As a club we are very proud to have had two riders in the meeting. Tom did very well and I am sure he will build on that in years to come.“Both Tom and Ryan will have got valuable experience from the meeting tonight and that's what they can take away from it.”MILDENHALL promoter Kevin Jolly was delighted to see the Fen Tigers end a difficult season on a positive note as they snatched a last-gasp 47-46 victory over Buxton at West Row on Sunday.Jolly said: “To be honest, I couldn’t see them turning around 12 points but they did and great credit to the lads, they showed true spirit and it was great to see. They all contributed but of course the plaudits will go to Connor Mountain and deservedly so. He has continued to improve all year and a paid twenty haul showed just what he can do."I am pleased for our supporters that we have finished with two good, albeit close, home victories. I cannot thank them enough for their continued backing throughout the season and god willing we will be back stronger and better next season." RYE HOUSE co-promoter Len Silver hailed the action served up by the National League Riders' Championship at Hoddesdon on Saturday.Kent man Ben Morley stormed to a superb victory in the showpiece event ahead of Kings' colleague Danny Ayres and home favourite Robert Branford - but Silver praised the efforts of all 16 riders on what was a dramatic night of racing.“There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best NLRC that we’ve ever seen on this track. My congratulations go to every single rider. They’ve left me absolutely breathless this evening," Silver remarked. STOKE have two more matches to re-arrange to complete their season, with dates to be confirmed for the visits of Rye House and King’s Lynn to Loomer Road.FIXTURE PICTURE…TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29:TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30:ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30GOLD CUP S/F 2nd leg: Birmingham v Cradley 7.30

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1:PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS FINAL: Ipswich v Edinburgh v Newcastle v Somerset (at Redcar) 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30KENT COUNTY FOURS: Kent 6.30

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3:NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 1st leg: Rye House v Eastbourne 7pm

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Peterborough v Edinburgh 5pmPREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Rye House 2pm

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6:RECYCLED AGGREGATE SERVICES OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Cradley 7.30DARCY WARD BENEFIT: Poole 7.30BIRMINGHAM: Reserved 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Peterborough 7.30; 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth/Glasgow 7.30

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11:ABBEY FAREWELL: Swindon 4pm (including British 150cc Championship)

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Cradley v King’s Lynn 7.30