(SPEEDWAY 1)
COVENTRY captain Chris Harris is chasing his first British title in six years in Monday’s showpiece at Belle Vue.Harris last triumphed in the national Final in 2010 and has since seen two wins go to Scott Nicholls and three to Tai Woffinden.Nicholls will again be amongst Harris’s rivals on Monday with a strong home contingent also including in-form duo Craig Cook and Steve Worrall.Harris said: “It would mean everything to me if I could win it again for a fourth time – it’s a huge honour and a great achievement to win your national Championships and it would be another important step for me.“This year at the new National Stadium should be a great meeting and I think the atmosphere will make it extra special too.“It’s a smashing place to go to; everything about it is awesome and you have to take your hat off to the Belle Vue promotion and everyone who’s been involved in making it happen and it’s a massive plus for British Speedway.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
WORKINGTON raced to their biggest win of the season so far when they defeated Scunthorpe 58-34 in Saturday’s Premier League fixture at a damp Derwent Park.The Comets provided the race winner in all fifteen heats in the process despite going into the meeting with no facility for the unavailable Rasmus Jensen.NL replacement Ryan Blacklock joined the race wins in Heat 14, whilst Kenneth Hansen and Ricky Wells both had four victories on their way to 12 points apiece.Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “Considering we were without Rasmus Jensen the team rode excellently throughout while his National League replacement, local rider Ryan Blacklock, earned the biggest cheer of the night when he won Heat 14. “But, above all, the riders from both sides are to be congratulated in seeing the meeting through to a conclusion in what were far from ideal conditions due to the rain showers that affected the meeting.”Berwick built on their previous week of six points from away meetings by adding three more in a 50-40 defeat of champions Edinburgh at Shielfield Park.Kevin Doolan (12+1) and Thomas Jorgensen (11) headed a strong Bandits performance with guest reserve Simon Lambert adding 10+3 to boost the home side’s position within the top six.Berwick boss Scott Courtney said: “This was a fantastic result for the guys and I salute them all for putting in a top-class performance over our fierce neighbours.“Everyone was at least paid for one win and I have to thank our reserve guest, Simon Lambert, who dropped everything at a moment’s notice to come and ride for us and did a superb job for his 10 points. It was a real team effort, pulling together, and when a team works so well doing that, victories will continue to come.”Rye House are just outside the top six after a hard-fought 48-42 win over Newcastle at Hoddesdon, with the visitors taking an away point from the meeting.Edward Kennett led the Rockets to victory with a 14-point haul, whilst Leigh Lanham and Kasper Lykke (10+6) carded a decisive 5-1 in Heat 14 to ensure the win. Diamonds’ top-scorers Robert Lambert (12+1) and Steve Worrall (10+1) shared the points behind Kennett in the final race to give their side some reward for their efforts.Kennett said: “It was a great team performance. The boys dug deep, and I was proud of them again. It was a great win.“The racing here is so, so much better of late. I think that the little bit of rain in the air probably did it the world of good, and certainly from a fan’s perspective tonight, I expect it was a thriller to watch.”Newcastle boss George English said: “Thankfully we were able to rescue one league point in the last race of the night, and for that we are all grateful.“But again points were dropped when we shouldn’t have and this inconsistency must be addressed without delay as we are losing ground in the league chase when we certainly should not be.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey has highlighted the need for improvement ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with reigning champions Edinburgh.The Scorpions signed Lewis Kerr earlier in the week but still went down to a 34-58 defeat at Workington on Saturday, and now need a win to move off the bottom of the table.Godfrey said: “It doesn't get any easier, because today it's reigning champions Edinburgh standing between us and three points..“We need a good meeting to get everyone's confidence back up, and hopefully today will be it.”Meanwhile Workington continue to be without Rasmus Jensen due to European Pairs duty as they head for Newcastle, with no facility available to replace him.Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “It is hard enough going to Brough Park with a full side, but with one of your regulars missing makes it even tougher, especially with the Diamonds being in such good form so far this season. “We have been there twice so far this year; having pushed them close in the Ian Thomas Shield but then never really threatened when we visited in the League Cup. Hopefully it is the Ian Thomas Shield performance that we can repeat tonight!”Glasgow can take over at the top of the table if they defeat fifth-placed Berwick at Ashfield.Rene Bach makes his first home appearance for the Tigers, whilst in-form Kasper Lykke takes the guest booking for the Bandits at reserve with Romano Hummel having left the team.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BUXTON manager Jason Pipe insists the Hitmen can be the team to break Kent’s 13-match unbeaten run at the start of the season.The sides meet at the D&P Raceway at the later time of 6pm, and Pipe believes the absence of Kings’ heat-leader Danny Ayres could be a key factor.The visitors have brought in Eastbourne’s Georgie Wood to deputise, whilst Ellis Perks replaces the injured Jade Mudgway for the Hitmen who operate rider-replacement for Steve Jones and give Chris Hay a debut at reserve.Pipe said: “Even with the team on Sunday, I believe there's no reason we can't pull off a result against the Kings. They are missing Danny Ayres, who is on PL duty, and no disrespect to Georgie Wood but I can't see him scoring the points Ayres would have done around our track. “It's also going to be a big ask of Jack Thomas to come and expect to score a few points from the No.2 berth, having recently moved up in to the top five. I can see this meeting being a battle of the reserves and what we can get from the r/r rides.”
(FIXTURES)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 OFF, 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
