MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…

TICKETS are now on sale for the Premier League Fours Championship weekend at Peterborough on July 23 and 24.Supporters can book their places at the East of England Showground for what promises to be one of the biggest events in the British Speedway calendar. The long-running competition has undergone an exciting revamp which will now see all 13 teams involved in two action-packed days of racing.Fans will be able to enjoy 72 heats of top class Premier League action featuring 52 riders over the weekend.Twelve teams will be split into three groups to do battle on the Saturday, with the top side from each group earning a place alongside hosts Peterborough in Sunday’s showpiece Grand Final.In addition, the top two riders from each eliminated side will be entered into a 20-heat individual meeting on Sunday to ensure riders of every club will be in action on day two of the event. With 36 heats of action on both Saturday and Sunday, the revamped Premier League Fours Spectacular Weekend is sure to be an unmissable event for speedway supporters.It is a major reconstruction of the popular competition – and BSPA Vice Chairman Rob Godfrey is hoping to generate a “party atmosphere” over the two days to highlight what is a “special event”. Godfrey said “The launch of this spectacular weekend has come about after the Premier League listened to supporters who believe that every club should play a part in the Fours Championship. “Although it wasn’t possible to bring back the qualifying rounds at the moment we have introduced this new exciting formula to once again make sure that every PL club is represented in the process.“Even if any supporters particular club loses out on day one they are guaranteed to see two of their own riders on day two in the Individual event before the Fours Final.“That coupled with all the ancillary events over the two days means a party atmosphere to highlight what is rightly a very special event.”Weekend tickets for the speedway are now available to buy online, whilst admission for the individual days can be paid on the turnstiles on the day.For further information on the weekend and to order weekend tickets online please go to: http://www.speedwaygb.co/plfours .In addition to the live speedway action a number of live bands and special guests will be performing on the Saturday, whilst there will also be special events on Sunday to compliment the on-track action. Overnight camping during the weekend is also available.All enquiries regarding camping and the Saturday night entertainment should be directed to: peterboroughspeedwayoffice@yahoo.com .

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2016BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Sheffield, April 14BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue, June 13PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, July 8PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS WEEKEND: Peterborough, July 23/24PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 11ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry, Date TBC

NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS 2016NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry, August 14NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn, August 27NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 17

BRITISH SPEEDWAY FIM EVENTS 2016:WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER: King’s Lynn, May 7WORLD UNDER-21 QUALIFIER: Belle Vue, May 21WORLD UNDER-21 FINAL Round 1: King’s Lynn, June 18

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE boss Mark Lemon believes bringing five members of the Aces’ 2015 Grand Final-reaching line-up back for the new season will provide plenty of benefits.Lemon said: “It’s great to keep that continuity and the fact we’ve managed to keep the nucleus of the team is awesome. Of course it’s not always possible, and we’ve had to make some changes.“We made vast improvements to our away form in 2015 but there’s still plenty more room to build on that this year and obviously a few more wins on foreign territory is right up there on our agenda.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock says there is plenty more to come from his side overall as the Bees’ top three of Chris Harris, Krzysztof Kasprzak and Danny King dominated the scoring in Friday’s win over Leicester.Havelock said: “I said beforehand that Leicester couldn’t be under-estimated because they have a team of trappers.“Early on before the dirt moved out it was nip-and-tuck, but what really impressed me was the power of our heat-leaders. It’s comforting to go into important races with guys who are more than capable of getting 5-1s.“I’d say we’re probably running at about 75 per cent now. Hopefully we can build steadily through the season and then hit our 100 per cent in those semis and the Final.”KING’S LYNN co-promoter Dale Allitt is looking for an unbeaten home record to boost the Stars’ play-off challenge this season.Allitt said: “Last week the team put in a good performance against Lakeside and there was still room for improvement. We need to make the Adrian Flux Arena a fortress this season.“(Thursday’s visitors) Belle Vue have a strong side so it’s not going to be easy, but we are strong at home and the boys are determined to remain unbeaten at Saddlebow Road.”LAKESIDE chief Jon Cook spoke of his delight of the Hammers’ home Elite League opener which saw a 56-36 win over King’s Lynn in front of a big crowd at Purfleet.Cook said: “"It was a dream start to the season for us with a fantastic result. We’re now in our tenth season as promoters but it was one of the biggest Good Friday crowds we’ve seen in our time in charge.“There was some good racing and of course plenty of promise from our boys, in particular Kim Nilsson, Richard Lawson and Robert Mear who take the plaudits today.”LEICESTER boss Norrie Allan took encouragement from the Lions’ display at Coventry on Good Friday.The visitors were in touch throughout much of the contest with reserves Josh Auty and Paul Starke scoring 19 (paid 21) between them, but they fell just short of a league point with a 41-49 defeat.Allan said: “We put up a valiant effort that in the end was just not quite good enough but our performance against one of the fancied teams for a play-off place was encouraging.”POOLE promoter Matt Ford was delighted to see a powerful all-round performance from his side to launch their Elite League defence with a 30-point win over Swindon.Ford said: “I was more than pleased with that performance. The whole team weighed in with important contributions. Hitting them hard from the outset really knocked the stuffing out of them and the boys were relentless in their mission.“We all know it's a long and arduous road ahead and a lot can happen between now and trophy hand-out time but there have been so many positives for us we just need to keep the focus and keep producing the goods.”SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter described the Robins’ 31-61 Good Friday reverse at Poole as “poor” – and is demanding a positive reaction when they open up at home on Thursday.Rossiter said: “It was a poor start. We were totally out-gated all afternoon and that is definitely something we need to sharpen up on.“When we gated we weren’t too bad, but we just didn’t get out of the start all day. I’ve had a long chat with the boys, I was quite frank with them in my assessment, and hopefully they’ll be keen to put things right on Sunday.”WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten says the club must make Monmore Green a fortress this season, after two below-par Elite League campaigns in succession.Van Straaten said: “This is an important year for Wolverhampton to be in the mix once again. As I’ve already mentioned, we can’t afford to have three bad seasons on the run and with the group of riders we’ve got I can’t see that happening.“I think we’re strong play-off contenders and hopefully we can make Monmore Green something of a fortress again.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK team manager Scott Courtney says he was encouraged by his side’s season opener at Redcar.Despite being without No.1 Thomas Jorgensen through illness, the Bandits battled hard in a narrow 47-43 defeat leaving them with hope of collecting the Tweed-Tees Trophy in this Saturday’s re-arranged second leg.Said Courtney: "This was an excellent meeting for the Bandits; the second leg on Saturday sees us start four behind, but we well have the capability, team spirit and belief to take this trophy for our own."EDINBURGH have snapped up highly rated teen Dan Bewley as their No.7 for the 2016 campaign.The 16-year-old is only entering his first full season in the sport, but impressed Monarchs bosses during last Friday’s practise session and comes with a strong recommendation from former favourite Craig Cook.Said Cook: “He’s very talented and I’m sure he’s going to be good – he might be your No.1 in a couple of year’s time!”The Monarchs face Bewley’s new parent club Belle Vue in the Tricennial Trophy at Armadale this Friday. GLASGOW reserve Danny Ayres was proud of his new club after taking Elite League side Coventry to a last heat decider on Sunday.The 29-year-old described it as a great confidence booster ahead of their League Cup clash against Scottish rivals Edinburgh this Sunday.Said Ayres: “You've got Krzysztof Kasprzak, a former Grand Prix rider, you've got Chris Harris who's gone the hardest way to get into the Grand Prix and you've got (James) Sarjeant who's been here last year, so it's amazing.“I feel blessed to ride for such a mighty team and with such great riders - I want this so bad that I'm not going to stop until I succeed.” IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins has praised his team ahead of their League Cup home clash against Sheffield this Saturday.Said Hawkins: “The team is one that excites me and I’ve been really impressed with everyone’s attitude.“Their focus and the way they speak about things all seems really good.“They are mature and that’s made me more relaxed, knowing they’re doing everything they can, it takes the pressure off a little.”NEWCASTLE team manager George English was glad to get the club’s season opener out of the way – despite securing a last heat 46-44 victory over Workington.Said English: “It was an evening full of problems; (Tero) Aarnio has a serious knee problem that will have to be sorted out as soon as possible and he will see a specialist immediately.“We got the result in the end but mechanical problems to (Matej) Kus and (Ludvig) Lindgren nearly cost us. There were some positive signs from all the lads and I thought that Lewis Rose was excellent and Danny Phillips gave it a good go. It is good to get all the mechanical gremlins out the way and begin the year with a victory.”PETERBOROUGH boss Carl Johnson has told how he believes he can get the best out of his riders ahead of their season opener at Sheffield this Thursday.Johnson will take sole control of the Panthers in 2016 after Dale Allitt stood down from his joint management role to concentrate on co-promoter duties at King’s Lynn.Said Johnson: “I’m relishing the challenge – I want to make sure we fulfill our huge potential as a team.“I had a spell working on my own in 2014 when I took a team that was struggling to a cup final and very close to a play-off place.“There will be more pressure and greater expectations this season and it’s time for us all to prove ourselves.”PLYMOUTH will be back on track this week after local rivals Somerset invited Devils’ riders to a special challenge meeting.While the club are currently out of action officially due to financial problems, their 2016 septet will visit the Oaktree Arena as a Plymouth Select to get some laps under their belt.Meanwhile the Plymouth Devils Emergency Committee have thanked the speedway community for their support and gratitude as they continue fighting to save their club.REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill has high hopes for new signing David Bellego in 2016.The Frenchman, who spent last season with Sheffield, dropped just one point in the Bears’ 47-43 win over Berwick last Thursday.Said Duffill: “David can beat anybody on his day and he is another who I think has the potential to add to his starting average.“He really wants to step it up this year to heat-leader status; I believe that he can and I’d like him to prove it.”RYE HOUSE put up a brave fight as they narrowly missed out on a League Cup consolation point at Somerset last Friday.The Rockets trailed by twenty-points with just five races remaining, but made the scoreline much more respectable with a show of character, going down just 49-40 in the end.Team manager Peter Schroeck said: “The boys really pulled together at the end; this was our best result for several years and we can be really proud of that.“It’s just a matter of time now until all the boys click together and then we’ll really be up and running.”SCUNTHORPE slipped to a 50-43 home defeat at the hands of rivals Sheffield in the League Cup on Sunday.Despite a disappointing result, Scorpions boss Dave Peet was keen to focus on some of the positives.Said Peet: “Josh Auty was back on song and an inspirational No.1 and captain – if he can stay clear of injuries this season then I think there’s no doubt that he can have a big year.“Josh Bailey is a real talent and he’s got a racing brain. He’s already been a plus but he is simply only going to get better and better.”SHEFFIELD picked up a hard-fought 50-43 away win at Scunthorpe in the League Cup on Sunday.New joint team manager Marc Bates praised a solid team performance and is hoping the Tigers can build one the result when they host Peterborough this Thursday.Said Bates: “It’s good to get our first win in our first meeting against another Premier League team; it’s been a really positive start to the season for us so hopefully we can keep that going.“We are expecting to have Simon Stead back (against Peterborough) which will make us even stronger so I’m sure we can put in another good performance.”SOMERSET have arranged a special challenge match at home to a Plymouth Devils Select side this Friday.Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Plymouth’s current plight is well documented; here at Somerset we felt that with their riders being left in a state of limbo as they wait to see what happens, it would be good to arrange this challenge match in order that the Plymouth riders can have some competitive laps and earn themselves a bit of money in the process.”“Hopefully the Plymouth fans will travel up in force to give their team the support they deserve.”WORKINGTON team manager Tony Jackson was upbeat despite suffering last heat heartache at Newcastle on Sunday.In a meeting where the Comets went down 46-44 in the first leg of the Ian Thomas Shield and lost Mason Campton with a cracked collarbone, Jackson was keen to point out the positives.He said: “To push strongly-fancied Newcastle so close on their own shale with what was effectively half a team gave us plenty of cause for optimism.“Despite everything that happened we all saw enough to make us feel upbeat about the season ahead!”NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE boss Graham Goodwin was proud of the effort shown by his Colts side as they suffered a 51-39 defeat in their season-opener against Cradley at Monmore Green.Goodwin said: “It’s a respectable score for us in our first meeting against a team like Cradley. We knew it was going to be a challenge especially with their top two of Max Clegg and Ash Morris.“We’re in no way disappointed with tonight though. We were never more than eight points down all evening until that 5-1 at the end, and even then we feel it was gifted after both Matt and Rob fell.“There’s a few things we’ve got to work on yet which have made themselves clear during the match, but the boys really dug deep and put in a performance that’s impossible to be upset with.”BIRMINGHAM got their season off to a perfect start with a 57-33 win over Stoke in the National Trophy at Perry Barr.Delighted team manager Graham Drury said: “The performance, the score, the turnout on the terraces, everything was so good. I asked the lads to lay down a marker and they certainly did just that. “I don't like reading too much into early season performances but to score as we did without our No.1 surely bodes well for the rest of the season. It was a real good test for our boys, Stoke pushed us close at times and it was a really good meeting.”BUXTON favourite Ryan Blacklock is delighted to have survived a winter reshuffle to return to the Hi-Edge Raceway in 2016.Blacklock commented: “It's nearly a whole new look for the Hitmen this coming season. I must have done something right to be asked back this year, as I'm the only rider still at Buxton who started the 2015 season! “I'd like to think it's been because of my loyalty to the club over the last few years and the club and the supporters know that I always give 100% and race to the end in every race. “I really do think we'll have a decent season and if all the boys can hit the ground running and start firing on all cylinders from the start, then I'm sure we'll be surprising one or two teams on and off track this year. “COVENTRY have a concern over captain Martin Knuckey who suffered facial injuries in their opening-day 41-49 home defeat against Eastbourne, being one of two Storm riders forced to withdraw.Manager Laurence Rogers said: “Ryan (Terry-Daley) has a chest infection, he could hardly hold onto the bike, and then Martin had a lot of blood coming from his nose and his cheekbone was swollen, so we’ll check on them. He was very unlucky, because I thought he was taken off.“Eastbourne were much sharper, but our boys have only been on track once so far, and it did affect us. One plus for us was our two reserves, they improved with every race and they were chasing the big boys.CRADLEY bosses paid tribute to the Monmore Green track staff after they overcame heavy rain to allow their meeting with Belle Vue to go ahead.The Heathens duly delivered a hard-fought 51-39 win – and team manager Will Pottinger said: “We have to applaud everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure tonight's meeting went ahead and it has to be said, they did a cracking job.“They created an excellent racing surface and huge credit to them after all the rain we've had over the past few days.“A winning start was always the aim for us and it certainly settles the nerves. We'll definitely take the positives and the confidence that the win has given us a group but there's also things we can work on for when Rye House visit in a fortnight's time."EASTBOURNE chairman Martin Dugard was thrilled to see his side bounce back from their Good Friday disappointment to kick-off their National League campaign with a win at Coventry.After being beaten twice by the Kings and suffering injuries to Kyle Hughes and Richard Andrews, the depleted Eagles battled to an impressive 49-41 win at Brandon on Monday.Dugard said: “From the heartache of losing home and away to Kent on Good Friday and now we win and get four league points at Coventry. It is something we could not have dreamed of.“Perhaps we have caught Coventry at the right time, but we have done so well today.”ISLE OF WIGHT new-boy Benji Compton is delighted to have received a late call-up to the Warriors side following their last-minute reshuffle.A season-ending injury for Brendan Johnson has seen the returning club bring in Compton and Kelsey Dugard at the expense of the unfortunate Ellis Perks.And Compton can’t wait to get started on the Island: “I'm really excited to be part of the Warriors. I'm looking forward to working with Neil Vatcher and the boys as I think we have a team of great lads throughout.“With a new look on the Island, I am sure our team can cause a stir. Now, I am rushing around like mad to get everything sorted as I thought my season was done at Christmas, but it's only just begun and bring it on I say." KENT co-promoter Len Silver was in a jubilant mood after the Kings raced to a shock Good Friday double over Eastbourne to kick-off their season.Silver said: “To be honest when I woke up on the Saturday I had to look again at the match day programmes from Eastbourne and Central Park just to convince myself that the dream start to our season was actually true!“Although I have known how hard every one of our riders have worked during the winter in order to 'hit the ground running', the fact that it all came together for us still leaves me feeling a bit dazed!"It was a blistering all round performance such as we have never seen before since we opened – and in front of one of biggest ever home crowds too.”KING’S LYNN manager Dale Allitt believes his side have what it takes to make it to the National League play-offs in 2016.Allitt told the Speedway Star: “I’d be disappointed if we weren’t to get into the play-offs. The league is open like it was last year.“We are mindful that you need to be solid at home to be in the play-off picture. If you win your home matches and pick up a bonus few points away, then you’ll be in the mix.“We’ve got a team that’s got quite a lot of familiarity from last year. It’s a team that is packed full of potential and I firmly believe we are strong throughout the side.” MILDENHALL promoter Kevin Jolly feels the Fen Tigers are well-placed to bounce back from their disappointing 2015 campaign.Jolly said in the Speedway Star: “It was hard going last year. I made a lot of mistakes in team selection and a lot of other things but I reckon I’ve learned masses from every one of them.“Last season was a tough one for the team and the supporters, and you might expect some kind of hangover from that.“But I could hardly believe the atmosphere at our Meet the Riders evening. The place was packed to the rafters and you could feel the excitement for the new team and new season.” NEW RYE HOUSE boss Peter Schroeck is backing the Raiders to earn their second successive top four finish in 2016.Schroeck told the Speedway Star: “Last season, we worked out way up into the top four with a team that nobody really gave a chance at the beginning.“I’m very happy with the team, there’s a good amount of banter between them already and if we hit the ground running, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be looking at the top end of the league.“With all the changes going on at the club with Team BMR, it’s an exciting time for any rider to be involved.” STOKE boss Malcolm Vasey admitted he was disappointed to see his side suffer a heavy 57-33 National Trophy defeat in their first meeting of 2016 at Birmingham.Said Vasey: “I’m disappointed that we fell away towards the end of the meeting as we did because we were still in with a chance of a point from the meeting up until heat 11. We really suffered losing out to three 5-1’s and a 4-2 in those final four heats and that cost us dearly in the end. “It was always going to be a difficult opening fixture against Birmingham they are a very good side, we will now look forward to our meetings against Buxton in a few weeks’ time.”

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY MARCH 29:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30

THURSDAY MARCH 31:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30TYNE/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30

FRIDAY APRIL 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Leicester 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30TRICENNIAL TROPHY: Edinburgh v Belle Vue 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset Select v Plymouth Select 7.30

SATURDAY APRIL 2: ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Lakeside 7.30 LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pm

SUNDAY APRIL 3:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Rye House v Somerset 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Kent (follows LC fixture)TYNE/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30BORDER TROPHY 2nd leg: Workington v Berwick 7.30FENLAND FOURS: Mildenhall 3.30

MONDAY APRIL 4:BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Kent 6.30ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30

WEDNESDAY APRIL 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Lakeside 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Eastbourne 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Birmingham v Rye House 7.30

THURSDAY APRIL 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30VINCE MAPLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight 7pm

FRIDAY APRIL 8:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v Poole 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Peterborough v Sheffield 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset v Isle of Wight 7.30

SATURDAY APRIL 9:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Ipswich 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Workington v Redcar 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 1st leg: Berwick v Newcastle 7pmAIR FENCE CHALLENGE 1st leg: Stoke v Buxton 7pmBRITISH YOUTH PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP: Northside 2pm

SUNDAY APRIL 10:LEAGUE CUP: Scunthorpe v Peterborough 6.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3.30TYNE/TWEED TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Berwick 6.30AIR FENCE CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Buxton v Stoke 3pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Glasgow 3pm

MONDAY APRIL 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Rye House 7.30