MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
BELLE Vue captain Scott Nicholls has spoken of his determination to take an eighth national title in the British Final on June 13.Nicholls will be racing on his home circuit at the National Speedway Stadium as he bids to regain the crown he last held in 2012 – but he feels home track advantage will be minimal given the Aces’ lack of meetings so far.He said: “It’s going to be a pretty neutral venue because nobody has much experience, which is difficult in one way because you want every advantage you can get. “On the other hand it would make it even more special to win it because it really is a level playing field. “I’d love to make it eight wins, and to do it in front of my home fans at Belle Vue would make it extra special as well.“I’m really proud of my record in the British Final, and it would be nice to add a few more to try and make sure that record stands as long as possible. “I think it’s a great track, and a very even track which should generate some great racing.“It’s a fantastic stadium, the facilities are great so everything is looking good and with a big crowd the atmosphere should be pretty electric.”Aces co-promoter Chris Morton expects a special night of racing with the circuit having already attracted rave reviews from the early league matches to be staged at the new venue.Morton said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase the new Belle Vue to the country and will I’m sure provide a bold and exciting new challenge for everyone involved.“The British Final is without question the biggest meeting on the national calendar and Belle Vue Speedway is highly honoured to be hosting such a significant meeting right here in the city“As a club we’ve always had a close association with the British Championships that extends back to our golden years at Hyde Road, so to return this event to Manchester is a very proud moment.”
BRITISH FINAL DRAW: 1. Josh Bates (Coventry/Sheffield), 2. Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Newcastle), 3. Craig Cook (Belle Vue/Peterborough), 4. Danny King (Coventry/Ipswich), 5. Josh Auty (Leicester/Scunthorpe), 6. Simon Stead (Sheffield), 7. Ben Barker (Coventry/Ipswich), 8. Richard Lawson (Lakeside/Glasgow), 9. Scott Nicholls (Belle Vue), 10. Paul Starke (Leicester/Somerset), 11. Richard Hall (Unattached), 12. Robert Lambert (King’s Lynn/Newcastle), 13. Chris Harris (Coventry), 14. Richie Worrall (Belle Vue/Glasgow), 15. Jason Garrity (Coventry/Sheffield), 16. Kyle Howarth (Wolverhampton/Sheffield). Reserves: Charles Wright (Swindon/Somerset), Lewis Kerr (Lakeside).
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 acting manager Chris Morton admitted he had to make the most use of flying reserve Steve Worrall to ensue the Aces secured a home win over Lakeside.Morton said: “Steve had a blinding night and it was great to see Joe Jacobs get his first heat win at home. Following that, it was a very difficult choice for me to take him out of his third ride.“But we were in a bit of trouble and when you have a reserve like Steve whose form right now is more than capable of carving up the competition, it’s not an option we could afford to ignore.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock admitted he was frustrated to see the Bees come away from Wolverhampton with nothing – the second successive away match where they have been close to an away point.He said: “We talked about the importance of getting off to a good start, and we keep giving everyone a start in the first half of the meeting and then coming back. Wolves were the better team on the night so congratulations to them, and one thing we need to do is get some away wins and the sooner the better.“There’s so much effort from so many riders, I felt Danny King rode his socks off for four points, and it’s just disappointing how it slipped away.”KING’S LYNN boss Rob Lyon felt the Stars’ results against Wolverhampton, with a home win and a point gained from their trip to Monmore, were a fair reward for their efforts.Lyon said: “To get four points in the space of a few days against a very strong Wolverhampton side deserves a lot of credit."It was important to back up the consolation point we got at Monmore Green on Monday and I'm very pleased with the win.Things are starting to come together now and hopefully this is the start of a good roll for the side.”LAKESIDE coach Kelvin Tatum wants to see his side convert near-misses on the road into away points and wins on a more regular basis, following a 40-50 defeat at Belle Vue. Tatum said: “It’s a case of déjà vu in truth as we’ve been in a similar position on more than one occasion away from home and haven’t got the points to show for it. “It’s difficult to criticise because we did compete very well, and we weren’t far away at all, but it would be nice to turn some more of these good away performances into hard-earned league points.”LEICESTER pulled off a stunning away win at Swindon last Thursday but were unable to back it up in the return at home 48 hours later.Former Lions No.1 Jason Doyle returned to Beaumont Park with a paid 18-point maximum as the Robins snatched a narrow two-point victory.Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “It just isn't happening for us at the moment. We are unable to build up a good lead during the meetings at home to give ourselves a cushion going into the final heat. It is a problem we must solve as a team and quickly because it is costing us dearly.”POOLE star Kyle Newman was delighted to see the Pirates complete a quickfire double over rivals Swindon although he continues to chase top form after his lay-off earlier in the season.Newman said: “I felt good on Monday. I managed to score paid eight and win a couple of races but a last and a third in my other two rides is slightly frustrating.“Tonight (Wednesday) the frustration continued. I struggled to get out the start and I never really found a set-up that I was completely satisfied with. I began well but tailed off, which isn't anything like my real form around Poole and I expect better from myself.”SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter was pleased to see his side respond to another home setback by winning at Leicester last Saturday – but he knows their Blunsdon form must improve.Rossiter said: “It’s been a tough week, but we are pleased to finish on a high with a much-needed win. We’ve picked up 13 points away now which is excellent but only 12 at home, so we know what we have to work on moving forward.“Full credit to the riders though, it was a tight meeting throughout but we just managed to get over the line and get the three points.”WOLVERHAMPTON maintained their 100 per cent home record with a 51-41 win over local rivals Coventry in a keenly contested Monmore derby encounter.Boss Peter Adams said: “We knew it was going to be tough against Coventry, because they have a few riders who are always a threat around here.“I said beforehand I would be happy with a one-point win, but we delivered a bit more than that and we can’t do any more than keep winning our home matches.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK team manager Scott Courtney believes his side are finally reaching their potential after a big weekend on their travels.The Bandits followed up a 52-39 win at Scunthorpe with a 45-45 draw at Rye house thanks to a final race 4-2 from Thomas Jorgensen and guest Michael Palm Toft.Said Courtney: “These guys have really got going over the last week and shown how much they want to win things this season.”EDINBURGH have announced the signing of Mark Riss – subject to BSPA approval.The German, who is the elder brother of current Monarchs racer Erik, replaces Jye Etheridge who managed just nine points from 40 rides in a horrific spell for the Australian.Boss John Campbell said: “As happened with Erik last year, I expect Mark to grow in confidence and points scoring as the season progresses although initially the challenge will be difficult.”GLASGOW team manager Stewart Dickson believes their signing of Rene Bach sends out a message to their Premier League rivals.The Tigers have snapped up the Dane to replace Cornishman Ben Barker who has since signed for Ipswich.Said Dickson: “This is a statement of intent! We know we have no devine right to win everything but we’ll do all we can to make us challengers; this move will strengthen the team!”IPSWICH have released Lewis Kerr and moved quickly to sign Ben Barker following his departure from Glasgow.It’s a second change for the Witches in 2016 who recently brought in Oliver Greenwood to replace Darryl Ritchings at reserve.Team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “You know what you’re going to get with Ben - 100 per cent commitment every race!“As well as his points I believe his enthusiasm will be a good addition to our side of the pits.”NEWCASTLE team manager George English says their League Cup exit has only made them more determined to achieve Premier League glory!The Diamonds crashed out of the tournament after failing to win at struggling Redcar as they were held 45-45 by the Bears.Said English: “It was a match we could have won even with our patchwork line-up.“It’s fair to say when it comes to the remaining competitions this season, we’re going all out for success!”PETERBOROUGH promoter Ged Rathbone has vowed to continue to help British youngster Tom Stokes progress in the sport.Stokes was replaced at reserve after just one appearance for the Panthers by Czech racer Zdenek Holub.Said Rathbone: “We will continue to work closely with Tom and guide him wherever in his development; he is someone who could well be a Peterborough rider again in the future.PLYMOUTH boss Lee Trigger wants to ensure Somerset are eliminated from the League Cup when they go head-to-head at the St Boniface Arena on Friday.The Devils will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start at home and all hope for their local rivals in the process.Said Trigger: “For Somerset to win the group, they have to beat us and we will be there ready to put them out of the cup!”REDCAR are now without a win in nine meetings – despite a couple of encouraging performances last week.The Bears battled their way to an impressive 45-45 home draw against in-form Newcastle on Thursday before picking up a well deserved consolation league point at Somerset the following evening.However, Jitendra Duffill’s side could not extend their run and were beaten convincingly 61-32 at Ipswich on Saturday.RYE HOUSE racer Kasper Lykke top scored for the Rockets as they were held to a 45-45 draw at home to Berwick.The Dane shone at reserve for the hosts as he bagged 14 paid 17 from seven outings.Said Lykke: “We’ve been working hard on the bikes and we tried different things which created a bit more speed; that combination worked for me!“It was very annoying that we lost the win however a draw is better than nothing!”SCUNTHORPE were dealt another huge blow when Andreas Lyager was forced to quit the club with immediate effect.The Danish racer has to complete an apprenticeship with his current employer who is now unwilling to allow him time off work and school.Said Lyager: “I do not have any choice; I need my education and [my employer] simply will not allow me to do it with so many days off.“If I cannot race any more then I [need to] have an education to fall back on; I really want the best for Scunthorpe – I am so sorry.”SHEFFIELD reserve Nathan Greaves insists he will keep plugging away to turn his career at the club around.It’s been a tough start to life with the Tigers for the youngster who suffered a broken leg in 2015.Greaves told the Sheffield Star: “I’ve had a couple of good meetings which I’m trying to focus on; I need to be more consistent.“It’s a long season and I have plenty of time to turn things around so I’ll just keep working hard and taking advice on board.”SOMERSET boss Garry May is focusing on a win at local rivals Plymouth to progress to the semi-finals of the League Cup.The Rebels team manager admits their task has been made slightly more difficult by the Devils’ signing of Brady Kurtz but is taking inspiration from his side’s previous encounters this season.“Nobody thought that we would go to Peterborough, Ipswich and Workington and come away from those places with a win to our name, but we did, so anything is possible on the night!”WORKINGTON have moved Saturday’s home meeting with Scunthorpe to a 6pm start – so fans can get back and watch England’s opener of Euro 2016!Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “We feel that we would have lost supporters due to the football if we hadn’t brought the start time forward.“We are well aware that a lot of our fans and staff understandably want to see the football!"TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE co-promoter George Carswell admitted they were disappointed to just miss out on victory with a 46-44 away defeat at the Isle of Wight in their last outing.Carswell said: “It was a tough meeting. We ran them very close from start to finish and though we could’ve sealed the deal in the last race, I can’t argue with a result like that.“To be honest, their whole team was solid from top to bottom, and it’s for reasons like this that we couldn’t maintain the lead. They refused to let us get away in the same way that we refused to let them get away from us. Both teams were difficult to contain.”BIRMINGHAM got the better of title rivals Eastbourne with a 47-43 win from an eventful National League contest at Perry Barr last Wednesday.Boss Graham Drury said: “It was a hard-fought match exactly as I was anticipating. Again, every single one of the riders chipped in at valuable times. They showed their mettle and went out and won races, or more importantly on several occasions they didn’t finish last.“It was a strategy which paid off as the meeting panned out as I thought it would, but also full credit to Eastbourne for getting a point which they were very motivated for in Heat 15, and in all honesty they deserved that.”BUXTON have announced Shelby Rutherford is to take time out of the sport following a below-par start to the season.Hitmen boss Jason Pipe said: “Shelby has had machinery problems since the start of the season and he's tried to rectify these problems by having engines looked at and replacing parts, but he's just not had much luck at all. “Hopefully this time out will help him to sort out his machinery and come back into the team a much better rider, and the rider I know he can be. He has the ability to be at least a 5.00-point man in this league.” COVENTRY Storm are continuing to struggle with their injury crisis with Martin Knuckey and Jamie Halder both sidelined.Team manager Laurence Rogers said: “Jamie is out for four weeks, so hopefully he’ll be back sometime in July and perhaps it’s a blessing that Rye House on Sunday is off.“Marty, naturally, is the biggest concern as he’ll be out for the season and it could be longer, from what the doctors have said. As for the team, at the moment we’re using rider replacement because there’s nobody out there and there are other teams looking for the same sort of rider.”CRADLEY will hand a debut to new signing Layne Cupitt in their home Knockout Cup clash with Buxton at Monmore Green next Monday.Boss Will Pottinger said: “We’ve watched Layne in practice around Monmore and when we were alerted to his potential availability we registered our interest.“At this moment we haven’t made a final decision on who will make way, but he is now part of the squad and will ride against Buxton on Monday.“He wants a track closer to home, it’s been tough for him and I have to say King’s Lynn have been very understanding, which I’m sure Layne appreciates.”EASTBOURNE have unveiled Connor Dugard as their new team manager, taking over from Glenn Martin.Dugard commented: “Unfortunately things haven't really panned out this year but we feel we have hit a turning point in our season. “I built the team in the off-season and most of the team changes and guests I organise, obviously with the input from Dad and club sponsor Paul Goldsmith.“We'd all like to thank Glenn for his input with the club and a triumphant 2015 season. However, we felt something had to change and we think we may have found that now. Glenn knows he's more than welcome at Arlington and he will always remain a family friend.” ISLE OF WIGHT manager Neil Vatcher was in jubilant mood after they snatched a 46-44 win over Belle Vue in a tense last-heat decider at Smallbrook on May 26. Vatcher told Speedway Star: “It would be wrong to single out James (Cockle) and Mark (Baseby) as all the team played a part in our win, but watching those two team ride as they did was fantastic, even though the four laps seemed to last an eternity!“It was a blow losing Joe (Jacobs) on the morning of the meeting, but full credit to Ellis (Perks) for stepping in and doing a good job.” KENT extended their unbeaten run to a club-record 10 meetings as they stormed to a 59-29 win over the Isle of Wight at Central Park on Monday.Luke Bowen struck a faultless 15-point maximum to lead the Kings to another convincing win on home shale and move them up to fourth in the National League table.They will now face three successive away meetings in the space of a week before returning to home action against Rye House next Monday. KING’S LYNN Young Stars have promoted 15-year-old Lewis Whitmore into their full line-up ahead of Wednesday’s National League clash with Cradley at the Adrian Flux Arena. Team manager Dale Allitt said: “Lewis was going to be our No.8, but it was always our plan to bring him in when we could. It’s come a little earlier than we all expected, but that’s what the sport is all about at King’s Lynn, it’s always been about progression.“Lewis finished third in the British Youth Championship last year, above some good riders who have done well this year in the league, so he’ll get his chance and be given time with us. We’ll work with him, and we feel it’s a good move for the future.”MILDENHALL chief Kevin Jolly was full of praise for Connor Coles after his faultless 15-point maximum led the Fen Tigers to a 51-38 win over Buxton at West Row on Sunday.Said Jolly: “I have to give Connor special praise today, he has experienced a difficult week and responded in the best possible way scoring big points and showing strength of character! “I couldn’t be more pleased for him and hopefully this is the platform for him for his season to really take off, he showed us today that he has the ability in abundance.” RYE HOUSE Raiders boss Peter Schroeck insists they will not let their tough run of form get them down as they continue to develop the next generation of riders.Schroeck told Speedway Star: “This league is all about bringing youngsters on. That’s where I get frustrated at teams at this level that will do anything to win.“We’re not going to throw money at riders who’ve been around a long time. It is tough sometimes, but I’ll take it on the chin because that’s what I signed on for. We’re bringing on youngsters.”STOKE skipper Tony Atkin is confident they are moving in the right direction after three successive wins.Atkin told Speedway Star: “The balance in the side is so much better now and rider-for-rider we are a match for most sides.“The important thing for me is that we have a good team spirit and we are starting to win meetings.”
FIXTURE PICTURE…
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/TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Kent 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 11:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Rye House v Newcastle 7pm, Workington v Scunthorpe 6pmBRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: King’s Lynn 12pm
SUNDAY JUNE 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Berwick 3pm, Newcastle v Workington 6.30, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 6.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 2.30, 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
THURSDAY JUNE 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 18:WORLD UNDER-21 FINAL Round 1: King’s Lynn 7.30ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Plymouth v Edinburgh 7.15TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Rye House 7.30, Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Scunthorpe v Rye House 6.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL: Glasgow v Workington 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Cradley 3.30
MONDAY JUNE 20:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd round 1st leg: Kent v Coventry 6.30 (prov)
TUESDAY JUNE 21:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Plymouth 7.30
