(SPEEDWAY 1)
SAM Masters has spoken of his frustration over narrowly missing out on the Australian Championship title.Wolves and Edinburgh man Masters needed to win the Grand Final at Mildura on Sunday to secure gold over the four rounds - but he failed to get the better of Justin Sedgmen and Max Fricke, handing Brady Kurtz the title.Masters said: “I'm really lost for words - I've come so far in the series and lost out by a single point. I didn't feel particularly quick at all tonight and the bikes just wouldn't work no matter what the boys did in the pits.“This result is hard to take right now but I'm in the qualifiers again for the Grand Prix so I will take that as a positive.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
CHRIS Harris has secured the services of treble World Champion Nicki Pedersen for his Testimonial meeting.Harris celebrates over a decade of service to Coventry, and to British Speedway, with his benefit event at Brandon on Sunday March 20.He said: “Nicki is one of the real characters of the sport and the fans in this country don’t get the chance to see him race here too often, so it’s great to have him for my meeting.“We want to make it an enjoyable day for everyone and I know the fans want to watch speedway, so the plan is to give them plenty of racing and I hope they’ll be pleased with what we come up with.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
COVENTRY Storm have been boosted by the return of their main team sponsors City Gearboxes.The local company run by Gary Drinkwater, whose wife Lorraine is also in charge of the stadium Track Shop, have backed the side since National League racing first came to Brandon in 2013.Drinkwater said: “Being part of the Storm is like an extension to our family. Our priority, as it always has been, is to ensure that these youngsters have all the support that they need to be able to do what they love – speedway!“We hope that our support, not just financial, helps them towards achieving their goals. The lads are a great bunch, and Lorraine and I both look forward to an action-packed season ahead.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BRITISH Under-19 Champion Josh Bates admitted he felt emotional after taking victory in the Rob Woffinden Memorial Classic in Australia.Bates, who will ride for Coventry and Sheffield this season, went from third to first in the Final to secure the title after keeping his cool and was clearly overjoyed at the chequered flag.He said: “I'm so happy with this result and I'm really honoured to win the Rob Woffinden meeting. Rob was friends with my Grandad so it feels extra special.“It was an amazing atmosphere with a big crowd and this is just another big step forward in my career. I made hard work of it in the Final but managed to get through and there was so much emotion when I went over the finish line.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
RYE House Raiders have announced the signing of 17-year-old speedway newcomer Connor Locke.The Maidstone-based rider was initially named last week as part of the Kent squad – but was quickly released by the Kings who could not guarantee him a regular team place.Now Locke, who is a protégé of former European Grasstrack Champion and GB international Paul Hurry, will make the move to Hoddesdon where he will fill one of the Raiders’ two reserve berths.
