MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury is delighted to be staging the British Under-19 Final at Perry Barr this month.The Brummies host the prestige event on Wednesday September 14 with many of the country’s best youngsters in action.They will be looking to follow in the footsteps of recent winners Josh Bates, Oliver Greenwood, Stefan Nielsen and Jason Garrity who have all triumphed since the event switched from Under-18 to Under-19 level.Drury said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to be staging such a huge event.“Since we have been in the National League, the ethos of Birmingham Speedway has always been to help young British riders progress, and do what we can for the future of the sport in this country.“We’ve got the youngest-ever line-up in the history of British Speedway and we’re doing our bit for the sport in this country right now.“When you look at the field, it really is very exciting. There’s some really talented young lads, there will be plenty of local interest and we ourselves could have three representatives.”The home club hope to be represented by Zach Wajtknecht, Jack Smith and Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, with Wajtknecht’s involvement dependant upon his recovery from a hand injury.Other local interest comes from Cradley skipper Max Clegg, who will be amongst the favourites which also include Edinburgh and Belle Vue sensation Dan Bewley, Kent’s James Shanes and in-form Plymouth and Eastbourne rider Ellis Perks.DRAW: 1 Alfie Bowtell (Mildenhall), 2 Jack Thomas (Kent), 3 Zach Wajtknecht (Somerset/Birmingham), 4 James Shanes (Kent), 5 Max Clegg (Wolverhampton/Edinburgh/Cradley), 6 Jack Smith (Birmingham), 7 Ryan Kinsley (King’s Lynn), 8 Jamie Halder (Coventry), 9 Luke Harris (Eastbourne), 10 Ben Basford (Cradley), 11 Nathan Greaves (Sheffield/King’s Lynn ), 12 Jack Parkinson-Blackburn (Birmingham), 13 Layne Cupitt (Isle of Wight), 14 Dan Bewley (Edinburgh/Belle Vue), 15 Luke Ruddick (Mildenhall), 16 Ellis Perks (Plymouth/Eastbourne). Reserves: Callum Walker (Coventry), Taylor Hampshire (King’s Lynn).*THE National League Pairs, rained-off last month at King’s Lynn, has a new date.The ten competing clubs will reconvene at the Adrian Flux Arena on Sunday October 16 (3.30pm start).Before that, all twelve clubs will be represented by their top riders at the National League Riders’ Championship on Saturday September 17.The event takes place on neutral territory at Elite League club Leicester, with Rye House’s Ben Morley set to defend the title he won at Hoddesdon last year.BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2016BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOSH BATESBRITISH FINAL: DANNY KINGPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: SOMERSETPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS WEEKEND: PLYMOUTHPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 11ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry, October 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE MAJOR EVENTS 2016NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: RYE HOUSENATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn, October 16NATIONAL 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: KRYSTIAN PIESZCZEK

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE skipper Scott Nicholls says there must be no let-up from the Aces as they bid to maintain their form to take a first Elite League title in 23 years.Nicholls said: “The way things stand at the moment, whoever we face aren’t going to give us an easy match. Any one of the qualifying clubs could go on to win the league, things are that tight between us all.“For us it’s just a case of building up the home track advantage and to keep doing what we’re doing. We got a very good win on Friday night. We just need to ensure we keep digging.”COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock says last Friday’s defeat at Belle Vue summed up the Bees’ season, with a weakened line-up further depleted when skipper Chris Harris crashed out.Havelock said: “It’s a difficult place to come even when you’re at full strength, because you look at their pairings and there isn’t a weak link. Joe Jacobs is flying, and I think they’ve got to be favourites for the league at this moment in time.“The boys tried really hard and there was some fantastic racing. Some of the rides from Jason and Danny were exceptional, and great to watch, but overall it was a bit of a mirror of our season as a whole.”KING’S LYNN co-promoter Dale Allitt was relieved to see the Stars hold on for a home win over Lakeside to end a losing sequence at the Adrian Flux Arena.Allitt said: “It was a great result in the end and I think we showed some great character as a team throughout the night. We got off to a good start but Lakeside came back at us.“When they took the lead, I was impressed with the way we responded - when you've been losing meetings like we have you can fall into a negative mindset at those points, but we didn't and we clawed it back and held on for a much needed win.”LAKESIDE are hoping Swindon slip up at Belle Vue next Wednesday which would set up a decisive clash for the final play-off place between the Hammers and the Robins at Purfleet on September 16.Coach Kelvin Tatum said: “We’ve managed to put the pressure back on Swindon over the last two days. It’s all looking very tight and Swindon still have a chance to get a point at Belle Vue. “We just have to hope that the Aces win by seven points or more and we’ll be all set up for a showdown with Swindon here at Lakeside.” LEICESTER boss Norrie Allan praised the attitude of guest rider Michael Palm Toft, who scored paid-15 at reserve in the Lions’ 33-57 defeat at Swindon last Thursday.Allan said: “You know what you are getting with Michael Palm Toft. He gives one hundred per cent commitment and top scored for us at Belle Vue and again tonight. “Unfortunately our inconsistency elsewhere was our undoing which was a disappointment.”POOLE have major injury concerns going into the play-offs with Hans Andersen, Chris Holder and Krzysztof Buczkowski all missing meetings in the first week of September.Promoter Matt Ford said: “Chris has been for (wrist) x-rays and thankfully it appears nothing is broken but he has restricted movement in it. He has already booked some intensive physio to try and improve the condition and we will be monitoring the situation.“’Buzz’ was struggling in Sweden and decided to seek medical advice after that meeting and he could be out for a period of seven to ten days. Buzz is determined to try and make that the minimum for he feels that with such key matches coming up he wants to be involved with the Pirates.”SWINDON face crunch clashes at Belle Vue and Lakeside next week with a league point required from either fixture in order to make the play-offs.Boss Alun Rossiter said: “As for what happens now, we simply have to take one meeting at a time, so we’ll go to Belle Vue and try to do the job there, which is something we’ve done before this year. It will be a different kettle of fish this time around, but we’re capable of doing it.“I’m a little concerned about the reserves, I know Charles (Wright) got paid-eight (against Leicester) but he’s not quite firing like we know he’s capable, and Stefan’s (Nielsen) struggling a little, so we need to get things sorted with them over the next few days.”WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten praised maximum man Jacob Thorssell, who raced to a full 15-point score in Monday’s 48-42 home win over Poole.Van Straaten said: “Jacob rode brilliantly and he's a rider we've rated for a very long time. He's what I'd describe as a slow burner but he looked top quality tonight and congratulations to him on his maximum.“I was impressed with Kyle Howarth as well, and Sam Masters pulled off a couple of good rides too.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK Chairman John Anderson has announced the club has been put up for sale after eight years in charge.Said Anderson: “The strain of running the organisation has sapped our collective enthusiasm and stamina to the point where we recognise we have, personally, gone as far as we can.“The time has come for others, perhaps younger and with fresh ideas for the onward progress and promotion of speedway in Berwick-upon-Tweed, to take over, buy us out and take up the challenge of running the club and delivering an entertaining weekly speedway show at Shielfield Park.”EDINBURGH star Max Clegg escaped serious injury during their double-header against Redcar and Plymouth.The Monarchs reserve landed heavily after being t-boned heavily by team-mate Mark Riss at Armadale last Friday.Clegg told the Edinburgh Evening News: “Unfortunately, I bent a few things on my bike and smashed my racing helmet but it could have been a lot worse.”GLASGOW skipper Aaron Summers was delighted to set a new track record at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium – just two races after team-mate Richie Worrall had achieved the same feat!Worrall raced home in a time of 55.63 in heat two before Summers took the chequered flag in an even quicker time of 55.59 in the fourth.Said Summers: “In my first heat I felt quick but I knew I could do a bit more – I made a good start and just pushed until the finish line and managed to get the record back, which was good.” IPSWICH team manager Ritchie Hawkins says it’s time for his side to stand up and be counted as they aim to keep their play-off hopes alive.The Witches host Sheffield on Thursday before travelling to Redcar 24 hours later.Said Hawkins: “It's quite simple what we need; we need two wins this week and we need to win by more than six against Sheffield to stop them getting a point, anything less is not good enough."Sheffield and Peterborough are the two teams we can catch mathematically and they have both dropped down the table a bit so the pressure is on them to keep those spots.”NEWCASTLE stand-in manager Alan Hedley believes their 21-point home win over league leaders Somerset sent a powerful message out to their rivals.The Diamonds stormed to a 57-36 victory at Brough Park which moved them up to third in the Premier League last Sunday.Said Hedley: “I think most people had expected us to lose against the side who have only lost once all season, but the lads really dug in a showed what an excellent side we are; this really sets us up for a good play-off series, no doubt." PETERBOROUGH returnee Kenneth Bjerre admits he’s glad to be back with the Panthers after two-and-a-half seasons away from the East of England Showground.Said Bjerre: “Even though I must admit it is not ideal for me to be in the Premier League, it will be great to be back riding for a club where I have spent a lot of happy years."I never managed to win a trophy during my seven years racing for the Panthers and hopefully I can help the club be successful now.”PLYMOUTH have been dealt a further blow after an estimated £20,000 worth of damage was caused in an act of vandalism at their St Boniface ArenaDevils team manager Lee Trigger said: “Every single one of our 32 air fence panels have been slashed.“We closed in March due to financial issues so this is the last thing we needed.“Other tracks have offered to help us but we need a long term plan for next season because even if we repair some of it, it won’t last.”REDCAR will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Ipswich on Friday.The Bears were comfortably beaten 62-28 at Edinburgh on Friday before crashing to a 54-39 defeat at Scunthorpe on Sunday.Redcar currently sit just one point above bottom placed Rye House who have three meetings in hand over the Bears.RYE HOUSE face a backlog of fixtures after their two weekend meetings were postponed due to wet weather.The Rockets were looking to bounce back from their 56-37 defeat at Sheffield on Thursday, but their clashes against Scunthorpe and Peterborough were unable to go ahead.Rye House currently sit bottom of the table after losing nine straight Premier League meetings.SCUNTHORPE’s Lewis Kerr admits he’s glad he signed for the Scorpions earlier in the season after being released by Ipswich.Said Kerr: “Since I came into the Scunthorpe team, it’s helped to transform my season. “I’m really enjoying it at Scunthorpe; the team is gelling well and it’s a shame that the season is coming to an end.”SHEFFIELD co-boss Marc Bates admitted his side were simply beaten by the better team as they suffered a heavy 62-30 defeat at Glasgow last Sunday.Said Bates: “Glasgow are a strong side and they were just much better than us on the day.“All the lads tried their best but it wasn’t good enough. We still have a good opportunity to make the play-offs, so we’ll try and pick ourselves up and get something from Ipswich on Thursday.”SOMERSET boss Garry May says his side’s attentions are firmly on Friday’s League Cup semi-final home tie against Sheffield despite sealing their place at the top of the Premier League.A 45-45 draw at Berwick on Monday ensured the Rebels cannot be overtaken and finish the regular league programme in top spot.Said May: “The two league matches between ourselves and Sheffield would indicate that this could go down to the wire“The obvious aim will be to build up as big a first leg lead with which to go to Owlerton on the 22nd.”WORKINGTON head to Peterborough on Friday knowing a rare away win would be vital in keeping their play-off hopes alive.The Comets currently sit six points off sixth place – which is currently occupied by their next opponents.While the Cumbrian outfit do have meetings in hand, anything but a victory on their travels would see them facing a real uphill task in their bid for a play-off place.TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE Colts skipper Matt Williamson is desperate to bring double success to the club over the business end of the season.The Colts are battling for a National League play-off spot – and with the Elite League Aces also top of the table he would love to see them both taste title glory.Said Williamson: “With the way the Elite League team are going, it would be great if we could both get to the play-offs and both win some trophies.“They are doing a great job and we want to be just as successful, so we’ll keep working hard to end the season on a high.” BIRMINGHAM star Danyon Hume secured his first ever league maximum as he inspired them to a convincing 58-31 win over the Isle of Wight.Said Hume: “I'm over the moon and I think this will take a bit of time to sink in if I'm being honest.“I've been working so hard all year and I've come so close to getting a full max but always just missed out.“To finally get one feels great and I couldn't have timed it much better really. It was another big win for the team and we go into an important September full of confidence." BUXTON boss Jason Pipe is keen to end their nightmare season with a flourish.The Hitmen have been struck by a number of injuries and lie rock bottom of the National League table.Pipe stated: “We have six home meetings left and one away meeting, and even though we only have three points on the board from this season, I still think there's points out there that we will pick up from now until the end of the season.” COVENTRY Storm have moved forward their clash with Belle Vue at Brandon to Friday, September 16.The meeting was initially scheduled for September 25 but will now be the second part of a double-header featuring an Elite League meeting between the Bees and King’s Lynn earlier in the evening.Meanwhile, the Storm will be sending a team to the Abbey on Thursday to take on the Swindon Sprockets in a one-off challenge match. CRADLEY slipped to their third straight defeat as they went down 58-32 at Kent on Monday.Team boss Will Pottinger said: “We always knew it was going to be very tough against a good team, and unfortunately we’ve come up short again.“Ben Morley tried his best as a guest and was unfortunate to crash in his last race, but overall we were beaten by a better team. “Despite these results we still have a chance to get into the play-offs, but we need to get back on track with a win over Stoke tomorrow.” EASTBOURNE boss Connor Dugard was delighted with a “ruthless” display as they ran out 56-34 winners at Mildenhall on Sunday.“We were ruthless at Mildenhall and fully capitalised on any weakness shown by the Fen Tigers,” Dugard said. “That’s how it should be.“The scorechart tells the story perfectly. The Eastbourne IT First Eagles are on a roll, just when it matters.“The play-offs to decide the league champions are ahead and our performances are peaking just at the right time.” ISLE OF WIGHT skipper James Cockle believes their return to the sport has been a big success – and he is keen to remain with the club next year.Cockle said: “No-one really knew what to expect for a team in its first year back on track with a new promotion, but I have to say I’ve been really impressed with everything about it all.“The way they try and get full families down and put different things on for the kids each week is great and you can’t help but get involved.“Win, lose or draw there’s always a good vibe around the place. People continue to back you and at this level I think that’s what it’s all about.“I still enjoy being part of the National League and I’d love to be back with the Isle of Wight next year, if they’d have me.” KENT reserve Danno Verge believes he has turned a corner having enjoyed the best season of his career so far.Verge told Speedway Star: “I have been a lot fitter this year, I can do lots of laps without getting tired anymore. I work very hard every week with personal trainer Aaron Rowe, who trained Tai Woffinden in 2013. “My bikes are in great shape too thanks to the superb tuning job Dave Jessup does on the engines.“I know my home form has been better and I’ve been very pleased with that, but I’m happy too that I’m picking up decent points away from Central Park.” KING’S Lynn Young Stars will look to give their National League play-off hopes a huge boost as they head to the Isle of Wight tonight (Tuesday, 7.30).Heat-leader Nathan Greaves said: “We need some away points to get in those play-offs, and I think we can definitely do it at the Isle of Wight.“A couple of teams have already gone there and won this season, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t do the same.”MILDENHALL chairman Kevin Jolly was frustrated to see their National League play-off hopes come to an abrupt end with a heavy home defeat against Eastbourne.Jolly said: “Sadly this was a meeting too far and with Danny Halsey crashing out of the meeting we basically ran out of riders who could challenge the Eagles. “Eastbourne are difficult enough to beat with a full side and today we came up short, but we will regroup and come back strong next Sunday at Rye House. “If we can’t finish fourth then we will finish fifth there is still something to play for and we will keep going to the final meeting.“There will be those I am sure who think we should have used Jordan (Jenkins), but I am sure the decision taken is the right one for the future, and we will benefit in the long run.”RYE HOUSE Raiders star Robert Branford believes their National League side is still a success despite struggling at the wrong end of the table.Branford said: “At the end of the day, even if we haven’t been getting great results we are bringing riders on and seeing improvement which is our main aim.“The National League team is doing its job for us, we’re bringing riders on and helping people improve so that’s the most important thing.“It’s the same for me, it’s been good to get more racing under my belt, especially at Rye House, that’s helped me out so it’s all going well.” STOKE will look to put a dent in Cradley’s play-off hopes as they head to Monmore Green tonight (Tuesday, 7.30).Team manager Malcolm Vasey said: “Cradley are a very good team, but perhaps not as strong as they have been in previous seasons and we are hoping to push them all the way in the meeting.“They have probably the best top two riders in the league this season in Ashley (Morris) and Max (Clegg) but have had to compensate a little bit for that by not having the strong back up in the past that they have had and hopefully we can get something from the match.”

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Stoke 7.30, Isle of Wight v King’s Lynn 7pm

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Birmingham v Kent 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon Sprockets v Coventry Storm 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Peterborough v Workington 7.30, Plymouth v Newcastle 7.15, Redcar v Ipswich 7.30, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v Sheffield 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Buxton 7.30, Coventry v Isle of Wight 7pm, Coventry v Kent (follows previous fixture)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Rye House 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Cradley 7pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Cradley 3pm, Eastbourne v Stoke 3.30, Rye House v King’s Lynn 4pm, Rye House v Mildenhall (follows previous fixture)BRITISH 150cc FINAL: Rye House 2.30

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Workington 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Kent v Birmingham 6.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Sheffield 7.30CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v British Young Lions U23 7pm

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14:BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Birmingham 7.30ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon Select v Premier League Select 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue (follows EL fixture)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.15NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 7.30

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Workington 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 3.30, Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 3.30, Rye House v Isle of Wight 6pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Scunthorpe 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30