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BELLE Vue CEO David Gordon has hit back at criticism following the late postponement of Saturday’s inaugural meeting at the National Speedway Stadium.The event was called off following a rider practice as track conditions were deemed unfit, but Gordon says all aspects of stadium construction – with the exception of the safety fence - were carried out by the stadium build contract.He said: “There was a problem with the sub base of the track around the third and fourth bends which was recently completed. There were contractors’ workmen and machines out there first thing on Monday working to correct the problems.“We had internal meetings on Sunday and meetings with the Council and the building contractors on Monday. The whole investigation process into what happened is ongoing. We will not comment until everything has been clarified.“The fact of the matter is that we didn’t receive what we were supposed to receive. I cannot stress too much that we did not build this track, it was the responsibility of third parties and it was not fit for purpose.“We tried our best to get this meeting on but we were let down by circumstances beyond our control. We are now in serious dialogue with all concerned.“We will be making a separate statement about re-staging and refunds for Saturday when we have taken advice about the contractual obligations that the other parties are subject to.”Gordon added that the current track work, with advice from the Aces’ curator, will be reviewed on an hourly basis with a decision to be taken at 9am on Wednesday regarding the scheduled Elite League clash with Wolverhampton on Good Friday.
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KING’S Lynn have added talented Danish youngster Nikolaj B Jakobsen to their Elite League squad.The 22-year-old scored 15 points when helping Denmark to runners-up position in the World Under-21 Team Cup in Australia last year. Jakobsen has moved from Rye House to Peterborough in the Premier League for 2016.Stars manager Rob Lyon said: “Nikolaj is a talented rider and I have heard a lot of good things about him, we are very pleased he will be a King’s Lynn Stars squad member.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill says the Bears are out to prove the pundits wrong this season.There have been four changes to the line-up at the Media Prime Arena, and after meeting his riders for the first time at press and practice last week, Duffill believes they can upset the odds.He said: “The team and myself are aware that we are not a strong side on paper. Brian (Havelock) has a tight budget to work to as we are not a rich club but I for one am just happy that we are coming to the tapes again in what will be my seventh season with the Bears.“We have discussed the coming season as a team and as far as we are concerned there is no pressure on us. We will take each meeting as it comes and the more people tell us we can't win, the more determined we are to prove them wrong. “We have some very capable riders amongst our ranks and they are all ambitious, confident and very determined to win. We will give 100 per cent every meeting - we can do no more than that.”
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STOKE have unveiled Market Drayton-based A. R. Richards Ltd as their new team sponsors for the 2016 season.The company specialise in a vast array of building construction and farm improvements, and have been heavily involved in extensive track work at Loomer Road over the winter including a new drainage system.Promoter Dave Tattum said: “ARR have worked tirelessly throughout the winter together with our own ground staff and I really appreciate the quality and the effort they have made on our behalf to make the Stadium conform better to modern standards.“They are first class people to work with and it is with heartfelt thanks that I welcome them as our Headline Sponsors.“During the time we have spent together I have greatly appreciated the advice and technical input from Tony Richards (Senior), Adam Richards and his Brother Andrew. We are very fortunate that they have taken such a keen and enthusiastic interest in the club and its environment, and I look forward to a long and mutually helpful association with them.”
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EASTBOURNE chairman Martin Dugard says the club are determined to go one step further as they bid for league honours in 2016.The Eagles go into their second season in the Travel Plus National League having finished as runners-up to fellow newcomers Birmingham last year.Dugard said: “Our debut year in the National League was brilliant but we couldn’t catch Birmingham so missed out on the league title. We aim to put that right in 2016 and I promise everyone Eastbourne will give it their all to land the 2016 title.“We have some experienced riders in our team who are itching to get started and show the fans what they can do.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MARCH 24:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30INTER-LEAGUE CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Sheffield v Leicester 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 25:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 1pm, Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 1pm, Poole v Swindon 12pmLEAGUE CUP: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Stoke 7.30GOOD FRIDAY CHASE: Eastbourne v Kent 12pm, Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
SATURDAY MARCH 26:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Coventry 7.30 TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15IAN THOMAS SHIELD 1st leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm
