(SPEEDWAY 1)
NICK Morris is delighted to get the nod from Swindon boss Alun Rossiter to race in the Premiership Pairs at Somerset later this month.
Morris will join star man Jason Doyle, who is fit and raring to go after his horror crash last October, at the Oaktree Arena on March 31 for the first of this season’s SGB major events.
Morris said: “It should be good to have such a competitive meeting so early on in the season. It's before any of our league meetings and it will be good for us to get some laps under our belts.
“Me and Doyley usually ride well together and we're going there confident we can push for the win. It's a track we both know and both love to race on and hopefully that gives us an even better chance.
“The line-up is looking pretty tough but me and Doyley know if we both ride to our potential then we'd like to think we'll be in the mix at the end.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
FORMER Edinburgh favourite Rory Schlein is relishing his latest Armadale return in the Harrison’s Scottish Open.
Schlein, a Premier League, title-winner with the Monarchs back in 2003, will head back to his old club on March 31 bidding to equal the record of four Open championships.
He said: “Edinburgh will always have a strong place in my career and it’s where it all began.
“I’m just looking forward to it, having some tough races and putting in some good laps as well.
“It would be nice to equal Peter Carr, it was an honour to get my name on that trophy once so to get to four would be awesome, but it will be a good quality field and the track always serves up some top racing.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KENT have confirmed a visit from the USA Dream Team on June 26 as the Statesiders make preparations for the World Cup.
The tourists provided the opposition for the first-ever meeting at Central Park back in 2013, taking the victory on that occasion, and club bosses feel this should be a plum fixture on their calendar.
Promoter Len Silver said: “The Americans are coming over to Europe to compete in the FIM World Cup and it’s brilliant news that a squad of their up-and-coming talent will be taking the opportunity to renew their acquaintance with Central Park.
“The Americans always provide colourful entertainment and I am thrilled that we have succeeded in confirming this arrangement for the tourists to take on the Kings. My thanks to their manager, Steve Evans, for working so hard to get this fixture on our list.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SIMON Lambert has completed his Testimonial line-up with the inclusion of Carl Wilkinson and James Sarjeant.
Lambert’s meeting takes place at King’s Lynn on March 26 with a number of club legends also in attendance, whilst British Champion Danny King will be available for photos with the trophy as part of several additional attractions.
Lambert said: “Carl and I rode together at Scunny in 2009 and 2011, and of course he’s a local Boston Boy like me! He can be a bit of an animal on the track – sorry, Carl! – but he’s a genuine nice guy off it.
“James is a good guy who’s been left on the sidelines through no fault of his own. I hope that I can do my own small bit by giving him a shop window to help to get a spot. He’s British, he’s still young and he deserves the opportunity.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
POOLE have joined Wolverhampton as Premiership rivals to host a Coventry team in the early weeks of the season.
The Brandon club were withdrawn from the league due to stadium issues but their supporters will still see them in action at Monmore Green on April 10 and then Wimborne Road on April 19 – in addition to their opening challenge at Peterborough this Sunday.
Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “Over the last ten years or so Coventry have been one of our biggest rivals and there is no doubt that they are one of British Speedway's legendary clubs.
“There is no way I want to see such a big club be totally lost to our sport and, along with a number of other Premiership clubs, we will be doing our best to keep the name of this speedway giant alive.
“We are honouring the original date in our fixture list of Coventry coming to us, and with just one change they will field the team they had initially declared when intending to race on in the Premiership.
“That change will see Chris Harris represent the Bees in place of Kenneth Bjerre and as ‘Bomber’ has been a Bees regular in recent times then his inclusion seems most appropriate.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
KING’S LYNN will be represented by Chris Holder and Robert Lambert at the SGB Premiership Pairs at Somerset on Friday, March 31.
The duo will link up together for the first time in Stars colours at the Oaktree Arena as they aim to bag some early season silverware.
Lynn boss Dale Allitt said: “We want to state our intentions right from the off and this is a great opportunity to do just that prior to our first league fixture.
“We’ve got the 2012 World Champion and one of the most exciting, young British riders we’ve seen for a long while now.
“While the line-up is looking pretty strong, I have every confidence that Chris and Rob will be strong contenders for the Pairs title.”
(SPEEDWAY 7)
BELLE Vue have completed their SGB Premiership line-up by confirming the signing of Max Fricke.
The Australian youngster returns for a third season in Aces colours and is keen to maintain his progress under the club’s new promotion.
Fricke said: “I wasn’t sure if I’d be racing in Britain at all to begin with, so when I got the call from Belle Vue I was more than happy to sign a new deal.
“There’s been a lot of changes at Belle Vue these last few months. The new owners are keen to push on and make the club great again so it’ll be a new challenge for all concerned.
“As well as the new management, there’s a few new faces in the team as well. We’ve got a great bunch of lads riding for us this year so hopefully, all being well, we’re in for a good season.”
(SPEEDWAY 8)
IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins believes his new-look side can cope with the weight of expectation this season.
Hawkins is keen to see the Witches build on the momentum of their excellent form in the second half of last season, and expects the likes of Rory Schlein and Kyle Newman to prove key signings.
Hawkins said: “I learnt a lot of lessons last year and it was good to have a whole year as by the end of it I had a good understanding of what riders I want to work with and what kind of attitude I am looking for this season.
“The new team has been built to that and I'm looking forward to working with them. It's a good team and we'll have another go at trying to bring some trophies back to Ipswich.
“Everyone's averages will go up this season, that's how it works but I'm hoping all our top five can really push on.”
(SPEEDWAY 9)
BERWICK co-promoter Scott Courtney says the club’s new regime can’t wait to get the new season underway this weekend.
The Bandits stage their 50th Season Spectacular at Shielfield Park on Saturday with all of their regular team members included in an impressive 16-man field.
Courtney said: “These last few months have given us an amazing amount of work to plough through, and it never gives up.
“But trust me, when we get Saturday's 50th Season Spectacular ‘in the can’ we will all breathe a big sigh of relief, before we get on the build-up to our first team match against Newcastle on the 25th.
“The 16 riders will make Saturday night a real night to remember and will make it the best possible way to open up our 50th season. It will be spectacular!”
(SPEEDWAY 10)
WOLVERHAMPTON legend Peter Karlsson has finalised the line-up for his Farewell meeting this Sunday.
American duo Ricky Wells and Broc Nicol have now been confirmed while Karlsson himself will also compete in the main meeting at Monmore Green.
Said Karlsson: “At first I was unsure whether to race or not or to stay away from the track and make the most of my day.
“But I guess I just had to have one last meeting at Wolverhampton and bid farewell to British Speedway properly.
“It’s great to have Ricky and Broc on board too. Ricky is a familiar face at Wolverhampton and I’ve heard plenty of good things about Broc Nicol, especially from World Champ Greg Hancock.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MARCH 18:
50TH SEASON SPECTACULAR: Berwick 7pm
SUNDAY MARCH 19:
CHALLENGE: Peterborough v Coventry 12pm
PETER KARLSSON FAREWELL: Wolverhampton 5pm
