MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…

SIMON Stead is excited to be on the panel for the first ever British Final Fans Forum at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium on Wednesday, June 8.Sheffield star Stead will appear alongside Richie Worrall at the special event in the Peter Craven Memorial Suite from 7.30-9pm.They will be joined on stage by Belle Vue’s former British Champion Chris Morton MBE and club Chief Executive Officer David Gordon, with Sky Sports presenter Nigel Pearson hosting proceedings.The event looks set to attract plenty of interest just five days before the showcase British Final at the stadium, with supporters given the opportunity to have their say on the issues currently affecting the sport.Stead is pleased to have the chance to put across his own opinions and express a riders’ perspective of the sport.He is expecting the event – which will also be streamed live online – to be a big success.Stead said: “I’m really looking forward to it, and it’s nice to have the interaction with fans to get their views and put ours across.“Obviously there are going to be lots of different opinions, but that should make for a good discussion and productive event.“With the panel we’ve got we are going to get plenty of different perspectives. I’ve been involved in the sport as a rider for a number of years, so I have plenty of opinions I’ll put across.“It’s a great opportunity to discuss the sport with the fans and to find out a bit more about what they really think about things.“It gives us a chance to put our perspective of things across and hear what other people have to say, so I think it’s a great idea and I’m pleased to be a part of it.” Five days later, Stead will battle for British Final glory at the National Speedway Stadium.The experienced racer, who stormed to victory in his semi-final at Scunthorpe, admits the showpiece meeting will be amongst his “biggest meetings of the season”.He is desperate to put in a strong showing as he bids to earn a rostrum spot for the second time in his career – a decade after finishing third at Belle Vue’s old Kirkmanshulme Lane stadium! “It’s going to be one of my biggest meetings of the season, and although I know it’s going to be a tough one, the track is probably going to be a bit of a leveller.“It will probably suit me a bit more than when it was held at Wolves, so hopefully I can make some good starts and be in the mix.“I’ll go there with an open mind, I won’t put any pressure on myself and I’ll just see what happens.” Entry for fans is free, but only via registration. Those interested will need to email fansforum@speedwaygb.co by Monday, June 6 and provide their name and address plus the names of up to two guests.Fans will also be able to tweet their questions directly to the panel using the hashtag #speedwaygbfansforum via @speedwaygb – the official British Speedway Promoters’ Association twitter account.

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2016BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOSH BATESBRITISH 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: FREDRIK LINDGRENWORLD UNDER-21 QUALIFIER: DIMITRI BERGEWORLD UNDER-21 FINAL Round 1: King’s Lynn, June 18

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE skipper Scott Nicholls feels the Aces’ 50-42 win over Coventry on Bank Holiday Monday showed they are gradually adapting to their new circuit at the National Speedway Stadium.Nicholls said: “The track rode well today. It’s changing a lot at the moment and I think it will continue like that for the next few meetings. It’s certainly not an advantage for us at the moment but it will come soon.“It bodes well for the rest of the season. It was a good performance from all the lads today. We dug deep and put in the effort when the chips were down, and the crowd was just unbelievable.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock hailed his team’s spirit in fighting back from a nine-point deficit to defeat Belle Vue at Brandon on Friday.Havelock said: “I’m over the moon with that performance, and it probably feels better even than the wins over Poole and Wolverhampton.“Belle Vue are the in-form team after they smashed Poole at Wimborne Road, and with our injuries and missing KK (Krzysztof Kasprzak) we were underdogs. But the way they pulled it back was amazing. I’m proud of them all, and there was such a fighting spirit there to come through again with a win.”KING’S LYNN became the first team this season to collect an Elite League point from an away match at Wolverhampton on Monday – a result boss Rob Lyon says was richly deserved.Lyon said: “It was a workmanlike performance, especially after losing Lewis (Rose), which was a big blow to us because he was going well. The boys deserved that because they worked hard and managed to keep within touching distance before a fantastic Heat 15 from Niels and Robert once again.“Wolves were the better side on the night so deserved their win, but we are happy to come away with a point.”LAKESIDE co-promoter Jon Cook admitted the Hammers were relieved to come away from depleted Leicester with a 46-44 win to maintain their position at the top of the table.Cook said: “We weren't at our best, we perhaps had a win that was too easy last night (Friday), and we made hard work of it."Fair play to Leicester, they made things hard for us, but the boys got the job done when the chips were down and we are delighted to get an away win. Craig Cook was an absolutely superb guest for us, and with AJ (Andreas Jonsson) he did the business in the last race which was superb.”LEICESTER skipper Nicolai Klindt raced to a remarkable paid-21 point maximum in the Lions’ narrow home defeat against Lakeside – becoming only the second rider in club history to achieve that feat.Klindt told Speedway Star: “Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been feeling really comfortable, especially around Leicester. I know it’s a bit easier at reserve, but you’ve still got to beat the No.2s and 4s in two of your heats, so you’ve still got some normal heats to race in.“Everything just came together. Being honest, I was a little nervous going into my last heat, knowing I was on a maximum but also knowing I had to win the race to get us into a last-heat decider. But when I looked back after two laps I was pretty stoked because I’d built up a decent lead, so I was a very happy man afterwards!”POOLE finally pulled off their first away win of the season in a tense encounter at Swindon on Bank Holiday Monday, with Chris Holder taking victory in the decisive Heat 15.Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “As I said previously I do have faith in this side and they ground out the victory that I wanted. At times we did make it hard for ourselves as we weren't gating that consistently well but we still came back at them even after we lost our early advantage. “The only downside to the result is the loss of Adam (Ellis) who has broken his collarbone and will now be out for a while.”SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is keen to move on quickly from the disappointment of a narrow 44-46 defeat to Poole in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd at the Abbey Stadium.Rossiter said: “I’ve had a team talk with the boys and pointed out that that’s Poole’s first away win, we’ve already got ten points on the road, so we need to keep our heads up.“We had a few misfortunes which cost us, and really those points were vital to the end result, but there’s no lack of character. We just have to park it, forget it and move on.”WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Freddie Lindgren admitted his side had been put through their paces by King’s Lynn on Monday, with the visitors salvaging a league point thanks to a 5-1 in Heat 15.Lindgren said: “That was probably our toughest meeting of the season so far but the most important thing is that we picked up another win."King's Lynn have some quality in their side - we always knew they would push us all the way and they probably deserved their point in the end. From our point of view there were plenty of encouraging signs again; everybody contributed some important points and it keeps us up there in the Elite League table.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK team manager Scott Courtney dedicated their 46-44 home win over Redcar to injured star Seb Alden.The Swedish racer suffered a broken neck in Thursday’s defeat at Sheffield which left the Bandits down to just five of their original line-up with reserve Liam Carr also currently sidelined.Said Courtney: “It’s been a week of many different emotions especially with having Seb laid up in a Sheffield hospital and welcoming Romano (Hummel) into our side side who could really make it big; he made the best home debut I think I can remember for a new guy coming in.“The team spirit was at a max and we got the well deserved win which has given all the guys a real boost.”EDINBURGH ended Newcastle’s run of three consecutive wins with a last gasp 5-1 to secure a 46-44 victory of their own.The Monarchs trailed by two-points going into the final race, but a maximum heat advantage from Kevin Wolbert and club captain Sam Masters snatched the points for the hosts.This Friday sees a break from team action at Armadale as the club hosts Ryan Fisher’s Testimonial meeting.GLASGOW picked up four Premier League points in two days against Newcastle to move them up to second place in the table.The Tigers saw off the Diamonds 49-40 at home on Sunday before suffering a narrow 49-44 defeat at the Newcastle Stadium on Monday.Despite picking up a consolation league point away from home, Glasgow team manager Stewart Dickson says he was frustrated with the result.Said Dickson: “I feel it was two points lost, because we had an opportunity to get a win - normally, Newcastle will be very hard to beat around their own place.“Going there without them having Rob Lambert and Lewis Rose, our plan was to go for three points and I’ve got to be honest, I thought we could win the match.” IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins slammed his side, branding their 56-36 loss at Peterborough as the worst performance of the season.The Witches provided just three of the 15 race winners at the East of England Showground as they suffered their fifth defeat in seven meetings.Said Hawkins: “The current form is not acceptable for an Ipswich side and as a team we have let our fans down - every rider needs to take it upon themselves to put it right."NEWCASTLE gained revenge over Glasgow on Monday as they extended their unbeaten home run to seven meetings.The Diamonds picked up a 49-44 home victory just 24 hours after going down 49-40 away to the Tigers on Sunday.Team manager George English said: “This was always going to be a hugely tense match as it proved to be and the lads really pulled the goods out of the bag. “Thankfully we did enough, but again it was as superbly entertaining match."PETERBOROUGH are the new Premier League leaders after picking up a maximum seven league points on Monday.The Panthers secured a 53-40 victory away at Scunthorpe in the afternoon before a 56-36 demolition of Peterborough later the same night.Promoter Ged Rathbone said: “It is fantastic to be top of the league again and that’s where I want us to stay. Hopefully we can use these terrific performances and results as a launch-pad for the rest of the season.“There is no doubt in my mind we are genuine contenders for the title.”PLYMOUTH have snapped-up Brady Kurtz as their new No.1 – but will be without the Australian Champion for their trips to Workington and Glasgow this weekend.They will also be missing fellow Aussie Jack Holder as both represent their country in the Under-21 World Team Cup.Team manager Lee Trigger said: “It is unfortunate that we will be without two of our top riders at the weekend, but it is one of those things that you have to expect when you have riders of that calibre in your team.”REDCAR’s nightmare run continued as they suffered three further defeats.The Bears went down 50-40 at home to Glasgow on Thursday in the second leg of their Knockout Cup tie before suffering a narrow 46-44 defeat in the Premier League at Berwick on Saturday and a heavier 55-37 loss at Rye House on Monday.The Bears have won just two of their 13 meetings in 2016 and will be hoping to turn things around with three fixtures in three days later this week.RYE HOUSE made it four home meetings unbeaten as they beat Redcar 55-37 on Monday.Another solid team performance saw the Rockets secure another three Premier League points, but it was Australian star Cameron Heeps who stood out after dropping just one point from five rides.Said Heeps: “Redcar didn’t make it easy for us; they certainly put up a fight, and made it a good meeting. “I’m finally getting my set-ups figured out and making the starts I want to. Hopefully I can get dialled in now and there’ll be plenty more scores like that to come.”SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey says his team must pick up a victory when they host Berwick on Friday.The Scorpions’ 53-40 home defeat to Peterborough on Monday left them at the foot of the Premier League table and despite it still being relatively early days, Godfrey says their meeting against the Bandits is of huge importance.Said Godfrey: “It’s become a make-or-break meeting in the context of our season. “I need to see a response from our riders and it’s imperative that they show what they can do in that one.”SHEFFIELD captain Simon Stead was quick to highlight his side’s positive start to the season despite suffering a 55-37 defeat at Workington on Saturday.The result ended the Tigers’ run of four straight wins on a tough night at Derwent Park.Stead told the Sheffield Star: “We were hoping to pick up some points, especially as we went there on good form, but it was a tough night all-around.“Overall we can’t have too many complaints; we’re in a good position and the whole team has been going really well.”SOMERSET boss Garry May is confident his team can cover the absence of Jake Allen in their Premier League home clash with Redcar on Friday.The Australian racer misses the fixture after being called up to represent his country in the Under-21 World Team Cup semi-final in Denmark at the weekend.Said May: “Of course we would prefer to be going into the match with a full septet however, all the boys are riding well at the moment, and I am sure that the rest of the team will more than adequately cover for Jake.“We will not be taking them (Redcar) lightly as they have riders in their ranks who have previously shown a liking for riding at the Oaktree Arena.”WORKINGTON team manager Tony Jackson has praised the character of his side after two contrasting performances at the weekend.The Comets were well beaten 56-37 at Plymouth on Friday but bounced back in fine style, defeating in-form Sheffield 55-37 at Derwent Park the following night.Said Jackson: Everyone was a bit down after Friday at Plymouth when we didn’t really show what we could do, but our performance at home against Sheffield was arguably our best display of the season so far.“We dug deep and fought for every point and that is what we need to do in every match if we are to make the play-offs in what is once again a very competitive Premier League.”TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE are through to the Knockout Cup quarter-finals despite a 35-31 defeat in their rain-shortened second leg with Stoke at the National Speedway Stadium last Wednesday. Skipper Matt Williamson said: “It was a mutual decision made by both clubs. Conditions had deteriorated and things were getting too far on the dangerous side.“To begin with things were fine but as the rain came down the number of lines we could use were getting fewer and the more we rode, the more ruts started to develop which is never ideal.“The main thing is we got the job done and we’ll be facing Birmingham in the quarter-finals. We’ll make sure we’re better prepared for their track because we’ll be going there gunning for the win.”BIRMINGHAM racer Tom Bacon has suffered two fractured metatarsals in his right foot – but has vowed to be back on the bike at the first opportunity.Boss Graham Drury said: “When you heard how much pain Tom was in and how he screamed when they lifted his leg, we thought it was a broken ankle initially and that would have been season over for him,.“Thankfully that proved not to be the case and while it’s still a nasty, painful injury to sustain, it could have been a lot worse.“Tom’s a smashing lad, he’s got the right attitude and I know he’ll give it his all to come back as soon as he feels fit enough.”BUXTON boss Jason Pipe refused to be downbeat after they were held to a 44-44 draw in the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie with Cradley at the D&P Raceway on Sunday.Pipe commented: “It was important not to lose after the way we have started the season at home and the King’s Lynn result in midweek. “It would have been nice to take an advantage but we were handicapped by the loss of Stevie Jones and it looks like it might be a season-ending injury.” COVENTRY Storm suffered two further injury setbacks on a disastrous Sunday afternoon at Mildenhall as they suffered a 61-31 defeat. Manager Laurence Rogers said: “I don’t know how many black cats we’ve run over, but it must be a lot – we came here with six riders and went home with four.“Martin (Knuckey) has a compound open fracture of his leg so that’s going to take a bit of getting back from, and it’s a fractured arm for Jamie (Halder) so it’s not a good day at all. “It was a tremendous performance from Callum Walker, and also Jamie – the two reserves did us proud.” CRADLEY staged a dramatic late fightback to snatch a 44-44 draw from the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie with Buxton at the D&P Raceway on Sunday.Manager Will Pottinger commented: “We managed to stay pretty close throughout, and I was always confident that with Ash (Morris) and Max (Clegg) in heats 13 and 15 we’d finish the meeting strongly.“There were some good performances from the lads. Max was immaculate to end with a full maximum and Ash bounced back well from a crash in heat one. “We were really pleased with Ben Basford’s performance as well, and Luke (Chessell) contributed with some solid points on a track which isn’t one of his favourites. “We’re happy with the draw, it puts us in a great position ahead of the second leg at Monmore Green in a couple of weeks where we’ll be looking to get the job done and reach the next round.”EASTBOURNE have made Jake Knight their third captain of the 2016 season.Director Connor Dugard explained in Speedway Star: “We want to take some pressure off Georgie (Wood) because, with the lack of fixtures, he hasn’t been riding as much as he would want. We want him to get back to his best racing.“We also feel a lot of the team really look up to Jake He is very approachable, he goes about getting the team ready and he is very good with the fans.“That’s not to say Georgie is not those things, but Jake is the rider in form. We want to reward that and we are confident he can do the job.” ISLE OF WIGHT battled to a 46-44 win over Belle Vue in a tight National League encounter at Smallbrook last Thursday.It follows a hard-fought 46-43 victory over Mildenhall in the National Trophy a week earlier as the reformed club continue to go from strength to strength.The Warriors will be back in action as they host a challenge match against Weymouth next Thursday, June 2. KENT maintained their unbeaten record with a dramatic 46-44 win over Mildenhall at Central Park on Monday.Team boss Chris Hunt said: “The final race – where Luke Bowen and James Shanes turned a 2-4 into a 4-2 on the most incredible of last bends will live long in the memory and was surely the greatest heat of speedway yet raced at Central Park! “We have a team which just don’t know when they’re beaten and are utterly determined to a man to avoid defeat and – inspired on and off the track by the greatest captain in the sport, Luke Bowen - we got over the line and retained our proud unbeaten record!”KING’S Lynn Young Stars recaptured their brilliant best home form as they stormed to a comprehensive 62-27 win over Buxton at the Adrian Flux Arena last Wednesday. Manager Dale Allitt said: “The riders responded really well to tricky conditions, and even though the track wasn’t perhaps to our liking we responded well.“It wasn’t ideal at the start, but both teams got on with it which they deserve a lot of credit for and it was a very good win for us.” MILDENHALL promoter Kevin Jolly admitted he was left wondering what could have been after they suffered a last-gasp 46-44 defeat at Kent on Monday.Jolly said: “A point at Kent would seem a great result but ultimately I feel very disappointed as this is a meeting we should have won. “Our three heat leaders were excellent but we had too many mistakes and last places that cost us dear, in truth we should be coming home with four points not the one we have.“That said the spirit in the pits is good and we are definitely making progress. We just need to turn these sort of performances into wins and we will quickly climb the table into the play-off positions, of that I am sure”RYE HOUSE Raiders boss Peter Schroeck heaped praise on youngster Connor Locke after their 53-37 home defeat against Eastbourne on Monday. Schroeck said: “There have been some really positive signs with young Connor (Locke). The boy’s only 17 years old, but he’s a proper little tiger and I’m really proud of him today. He got stuck in, stayed on the bike for four laps each time and tried his heart out. We’ve changed a couple of things with his riding style, and it’s seemed to work. He should be really pleased with himself today, and I’m certainly pleased.” STOKE earned their first National League win of the season with a battling 48-41 triumph over Rye House at Loomer Road on Saturday.Potters’ boss Malcolm Vasey said: “I think we can build on these three victories, but it’s a little frustrating for us now as we have just run into some form, but now have a two week break before our next meeting against the Isle of Wight. “It was a funny sort of meeting tonight as Rye House had three excellent riders and then a number of riders who are not used to this track because they’ve not been here before and that obviously gave us a slight advantage. “I always felt we had the upper hand and would take the three points available to us and prevent them from taking anything back to Hoddesdon with them.”

FIXTURE PICTURE…

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 2:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Leicester 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Workington 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v Weymouth 7pm

FRIDAY JUNE 3:PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Redcar 7.30RYAN FISHER TESTIMONIAL: Edinburgh 7.30

SATURDAY JUNE 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Leicester v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Redcar 7.30, Rye House v Berwick 7pm, Workington v Plymouth 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Buxton 7.30

SUNDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Plymouth 3pm TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Buxton 3.30

MONDAY JUNE 6:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Isle of Wight 6.30

TUESDAY JUNE 7:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Isle of Wight v Kent 7pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 8:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Cradley 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30

FRIDAY JUNE 10:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30, Peterborough v Glasgow 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v King’s Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd round 1st leg: Coventry v Kent/IOW 7.30

SATURDAY JUNE 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Rye House v Newcastle 7pm, Workington v Scunthorpe 5.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 7pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: King’s Lynn 12pm

SUNDAY JUNE 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Workington 6.30, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Kent 6pm

MONDAY JUNE 13:BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Cradley v Buxton 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Rye House 6.30

TUESDAY JUNE 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Workington 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30