BRITISH Speedway’s Major Events series has an early start in 2017 – as SGB Premiership clubs contest the Pairs at Somerset on Friday, March 31.
The top-flight Pairs is back on the calendar for the first time since 2011 when Poole duo Chris Holder and Darcy Ward took the honours over Belle Vue in the Final.Holder has switched to King’s Lynn over the winter, but the Pirates’ powerful top two of Krzysztof Kasprzak and Hans Andersen are both also former winners of the event.It will be the first of two major Pairs events at the Oaktree Arena as the Championship clubs then take centre stage on Friday, July 21, with the meeting retaining its place in the calendar the day before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.Home club Somerset won in 2016 but their elevation to the SGB Premiership ensures a different name on the trophy this year.Coventry and Ipswich star Danny King will be looking to defend his British title at Belle Vue on Monday, June 19 having triumphed in tricky conditions at the National Speedway Stadium last year with a daring move in the Final.The line-up for that meeting will be formed from the semi-finals which take place at Sheffield (May 4) and Newcastle (date TBC).Meanwhile the British Under-21 Final will be staged at Poole on Wednesday April 26, with six seeded riders whilst ten more will qualify from the semi-final at Peterborough on Tuesday April 11.The Showground will also be the staging venue once again for the SGB Championship Fours, which this year reverts to a one-day event on Sunday August 6.Last season’s Fours were run across a weekend with Plymouth emerging victorious – but BSPA vice-chairman Rob Godfrey has explained how logistics prevented that from being repeated in 2017.Godfrey said: “We were keen to keep the Fours at Peterborough because it's the traditional home of the event and it works commercially.“The Showground is only available for one day and the fact that there are less teams means we are just doing the one day.“All ten clubs will be included and I'm sure it will again be one of the highlights of the season.”Both of the individual league riders’ championships have new staging venues in 2017, with the cream of the SGB Premiership lining up at Belle Vue on Saturday September 16 with Wolverhampton’s Freddie Lindgren the current holder.Meanwhile, the Championship equivalent (won as the PLRC by now retired Sheffield star Simon Stead last year) moves to Glasgow on Sunday September 24.
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017SGBP PAIRS: Somerset, March 31BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue, June 19SGBC PAIRS: Somerset, July 21SGBC FOURS: Peterborough, August 6SGBP RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue, September 16SGBC RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow, September 24
OTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DATESBRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Peterborough, April 11BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Poole, April 26BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: Sheffield, May 4; Newcastle, Date TBC
Friday February 17, 2017
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SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock is delighted to be launching the Rebels’ new top-flight era with the staging of the SGB Premiership Pairs.The event is back on the calendar for the first time since 2011 and will take place at the Oaktree Arena on Friday March 31.Hancock said: “With this being our first season of racing in the top flight of speedway in the UK, I was looking for a special meeting with which to open, and meetings don’t come much bigger than the SGB Premiership Best Pairs Championship!“As the meeting is at the start of the season it should mean the majority, if not all, of the top two riders from each of the nine teams which comprise the SGB Premiership will be available for the meeting.“So we could see the likes of Chris Holder, Freddie Lindgren and Krzysztof Kasprzak taking part, in addition it could also herald the return to the Oaktree Arena of ex-Rebel Jason Doyle, who now rides for Swindon.“I am sure there will be a big crowd in attendance for this meeting, especially given the locality of the Oaktree Arena to the likes of Swindon, Poole and Wolverhampton, and so it promises to be a night to savour.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD have arranged an opening-night Inter-League Challenge with SGB Premiership newcomers Somerset.The Rebels will visit Owlerton on Thursday March 30 in a repeat of last season’s Premier League Grand Final, and Tigers newcomer Josh Grajczonek will make his debut on the night.Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “We are delighted to welcome Somerset back for our opening night, it’s a great way for the tapes to go up on a new season at Owlerton.“I’d like to thank them for their co-operation and it’s great for us to have Josh available for the meeting.“Last year’s play-off final was good, we were proud of our achievement to battle through an injury crisis to get there but we were always up against it and Somerset were always the favourites.“Of course it would be nice to beat them on opening night but I want to see entertainment for the fans and a good workout for the lads.”
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KING’S Lynn Young Stars have completed their line-up for 2017 with the signing of Connor Locke.The 18-year-old makes the switch from the Rye House Raiders where he made his National League debut last season - and new manager Scott Campos believes his side will start as dark horses for success.Campos said: “Connor impressed us towards the end of last season and especially around the King’s Lynn track, he looked very comfortable and confident.“He’s a three-point averaged rider who we feel can easily build on that figure when he starts riding with more confidence behind him which he should gain from riding our circuit every week.“He’s a good signing to complete our team and we’re delighted with how things have come together in the end.“I think our side will slip under the radar a little but we certainly feel like this could be an exciting season for us.”(SPEEDWAY 4)
STOKE have named the experienced David Speight as their final signing for the 2017 season.Speight, who made four appearances for Buxton last year, is a former Stoke Spitfires rider from 2004-05 and will join David Wallinger in the reserve berths at Loomer Road.Potters manager Malcolm Vasey said: “I am delighted that we have been able to acquire the services of David Speight and I am sure that he will form a strong reserve pairing with David Wallinger. “He has a vast experience in motorcycle racing and we feel that he is on a bargain average and will most certainly improve that in the coming season.”
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BIRMINGHAM have named Darryl Ritchings as club captain for the defence of their National League title this season.The 22-year-old takes over from former team-mate Tom Perry who re-joined parent club Cradley over the winter.Brummies boss Graham Drury said: “I looked at everyone in the team and opted for Darryl for a couple of reasons.“Firstly, he’s our one heat-leader who is solely focused on his team place at Birmingham, for the start of the season at least, and that means he’ll be able to carry that continuity even when some of our other riders have to fulfil their doubling-up commitments.“However, most importantly I went for Darryl because of how long he’s been in the game. He may only be 22, but he’s got a hell of a lot of experience behind him and that will stand him and the team in good stead.“I think he’ll be a great team captain and with the team that we’ve got, I think we’re in for another exciting season at Perry Barr.”
