MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…NEWLY crowned Premier League Riders' Champion Simon Stead admitted his dramatic Grand Final battle with Sam Masters is "a bit of a blur"! The home hero roared to victory in the prestigious event in memorable circumstances at Owlerton to regain the trophy he won back in 2014.It was a win which capped off a remarkable journey for Stead after he missed the chance to defend his crown due to serious injury last year.He was thrilled to fend off a strong field to climb to the top of the rostrum for the second time. “I'm obviously delighted," said Stead. “It was an extremely tough meeting as I always knew it would be, so to win it is an amazing feeling.“I knew I'd need to be at my very best in that calibre of field, and it was just as tough as I was expecting.“I don't remember much about the final to be honest, it's a bit of a blur! Sam made a jet-propelled start but there were plenty of options chasing from behind and I just waited until I thought I could make it stick.“I managed to get ahead, and in some ways it was easier from behind. You felt quite vulnerable at the front but I managed to hold on and get the win."Stead was joined on the rostrum by Edinburgh star Masters and Redcar’s David Bellego, whilst Glasgow man Richard Lawson just missed out having advanced straight to the Final on 13 points.The last Major Event of the 2016 season is the Elite League Riders’ Championship at Coventry on Saturday October 8.All eight top-flight clubs will be represented in the meeting, which was won last year by Jason Doyle on his then-home track at Leicester.Doyle, now a genuine World Championship contender, switched back to parent club Swindon for the 2016 season and will look to become the first-ever back-to-back winner of the event.The last five ELRC’s have all been won by Australian riders, following triumphs for Rory Schlein (2011 and 2013), Chris Holder (2012) and Troy Batchelor (2014), with Wolves star Fredrik Lindgren (2010) the only man to break a run of Aussie wins dating back to 2008 – which was Jason Crump’s fourth and final title.BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2016BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: JOSH BATESBRITISH FINAL: DANNY KINGPREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: SOMERSETPREMIER LEAGUE FOURS WEEKEND: PLYMOUTHPREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: SIMON STEADELITE 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 will go into the Elite League play-offs on top of the table after their 48-45 win over rivals Poole on Monday – but boss Mark Lemon says the hard work is just beginning.He said: “It was such a gritty team performance from our boys. It’s been well documented by the riders that this is a tough track to ride so it’s a real credit to all their hard work that we are where we are“We’ve still got a bit to do yet though. The play-off semi-finals are coming up but as of yet our choice of opponent is yet to be determined. Whoever it may be, we don’t expect an easy match.”COVENTRY rounded off their away campaign for 2016 with a 41-52 defeat at play-off qualifiers Wolverhampton, with skipper Chris Harris and Danny King scoring 31 of the team’s points between them.Harris said: “It’s the story of the season really, we started off badly and finished good, but it was nice to get a 5-1 with me and Danny in the last one.“I don’t know if some of the boys were out with set-up or whatever, but Wolves is a hard place to come with the team they’ve got, so they just have to learn and move on.”LAKESIDE have booked seven-time British Champion Scott Nicholls as a guest for their potentially crucial clash with Swindon at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday – having been informed that the injured Andreas Jonsson’s UK season is over.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “We’re a tad annoyed by a reference on the SGP website saying we claimed AJ was out for the season when we did nothing other than report what he told us.“It's great that he's trying to be fit for a home Grand Prix, and I’m sure they'll want him there as he no doubt sells tickets. However, as far as his UK season is concerned his mechanic has already returned his chassis' to his sponsor and engines to his tuner along with his race kit.”LEICESTER will need to find a new date to stage their final Elite League fixture of the season as last Saturday’s home clash with King’s Lynn was postponed for a second time.The Lions provide the staging venue for one of the third tier’s big nights this Saturday, as Beaumont Park hosts the National League Riders’ Championship.KING’S LYNN chief Buster Chapman admits it has been a year to forget for the club - but he insists they are determined to bounce back and make amends in 2017.Chapman said: “It’s been an extremely frustrating season with a lot of poor team performances, and there is no hiding that.“It’s certainly been a year to forget, but every club has these years and we just have to focus on trying to put things right next year. We’ll be working hard to make sure things are much better next season and we’ll be hoping for a much more successful year in 2017.”POOLE promoter Matt Ford took some consolation from Monday’s narrow defeat at Belle Vue which ensured the Aces finished top of the table – and is backing his side to hit top form in time for the play-offs.Ford said: “We ran them close and had it not been for Brady's (Kurtz) misfortune then we might well have been in contention still for top spot, but now we will have to wait to be told who we are riding in the semi-finals. “We could still claim that fourth title if we up our game all round, we have yet to all click on the same night this year, perhaps the play-offs will be the perfect time to do so.”SWINDON stage a special challenge match at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday – but are hoping they can follow it up with play-off action later in the month.Club chairman Terry Russell said: “Of course this is a massive week for the club. We want Thursday to be a night where the boys stay sharp ahead of the play-offs and in an ideal world we would like to know our fate when we are at the meeting, to do that we need something from Belle Vue.“Thursday’s meeting will be under the old 13-heat format followed by a full second half for the Bob Kilby Memorial Trophy. I’m certain we will see a good night of racing and hopefully it won’t be the last action we see at the Abbey this season.”WOLVERHAMPTON warmed up for the Elite League play-offs with a 52-41 win over Coventry at Monmore Green, Kyle Howarth collecting a paid maximum from five rides.Boss Peter Adams said: “There were some positives to take from tonight. It was pretty obvious from watching the racing that some of the riders were trying different things in advance of our biggest meeting of the season, which is coming up in the play-offs. “I was particularly impressed with Howarth, he rode exceptionally well and was never in trouble in that reserve position.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK rounded off their 2016 Premier League campaign with a classy 56-37 home win over Rye House. The Bandits, who are currently up for sale, ensured they finished the season on 29 points with one final victory at Shielfield Park.Team manager Scott Courtney said: “All the guys, as ever, were magnificent as a unit to defeat a very lively Rye House side and we certainly deserved the win which was very satisfying. “We have a top infrastructure here at Berwick, one we hope can continue in 2017, but that's a story with a conclusion none of us know at present." EDINBURGH host Premier League leaders Somerset at Armadale this Friday in a key Premier League clash.The Monarchs will be looking to beat the weather after last week’s scheduled meeting against Glasgow was rained off.GLASGOW team manager Stewart Dickson believes his side are hitting form at just the right time following their 51-39 win at Workington on Saturday.The Tigers became the first side to beat the Comets at Derwent Park in the league this season as they strengthened their grip on second place in the table.Said Dickson: “At last, I think I have seven riders who are just as hungry as me and the supporters to get silverware.“If we can keep them all fit, we’re going to be in with a great chance of silverware, and everything is geared up for success.” IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins believes a home win over Newcastle on Thursday could be enough to seal their place in the end of season play-offs.Said Hawkins: “I think if we do that then we will finish fifth and face Edinburgh in the play-offs, that would be my prediction but you never know what is going to happen.“Newcastle will be our biggest test in a long while but we can’t spend too much time thinking about having a good run in the play-offs – we’ve got to get there first!” NEWCASTLE stand-in manager Alan Hedley said his side fear no-one following their 57-33 home win over Workington on Monday.Said Hedley: “Once again this Diamonds side showed its total commitment to winning and making a real go when it comes to the play-offs.“If we keep this team spirit and determination going then we will be a force to be reckoned with in the cup as well."PETERBOROUGH pulled off last heat 5-1 against Rye House to secure a 46-43 home win and keep their play-off hopes alive.Panthers boss Carl Johnson said: “Our season was over if Kenneth (Bjerre) and Ulrich (Ostergaard) didn’t come up trumps in that race.“But we have put ourselves back into a play-off spot by beating Rye House and now the pressure is on other teams to get results.”PLYMOUTH will be hoping to avoid a bottom of the table finish by beating Scunthorpe in their final home meeting of the season on Saturday.Devils team manager Lee Trigger said: “We did not want to be in this situation because we had hopes of getting into the play-offs again this season.“We will be looking for a win against the Scorpions on Saturday to avoid finishing the season on a losing note.”RYE HOUSE will be looking to build on the impressive point they picked up at Peterborough when they host Sheffield tonight (Tuesday).The Rockets suffered a narrow 46-43 defeat against the Panthers on Monday but hope to get a win on the board at home to the Tigers.Speaking after Monday’s meeting manager Peter Schroeck said: “I said right from the off that we had come here to give it a go – and that’s what we did all night. All the boys from one to seven did their bit in a great effort.”SCUNTHORPE rounded off their Premier League home programme with a 51-39 win over Rye House on Friday.Scorpions star Ryan Douglas said: “We were winning plenty of races, but Rye House were packing the minor places. We weren’t gaining or losing anything, and then at the end, we managed to pull clear.“The team is gelling well and we’ve won four home meetings on the trot, so there’s no reason why we can’t go away and pick up some points.”SHEFFIELD co-promoter Damien Bates is targeting at least four points from their back-to-back meetings against Rye House (tonight) and Scunthorpe (Wednesday) as they look to take a big step towards the play-offs.Said Bates: “Ideally it’s always nice to win away, but even if we can just get a point then win at home on Wednesday it should secure our place in the play-offs.“The target is to get a point at Rye House and anything else would be a bonus.”SOMERSET look to gain points from their final two meetings of the regular season when they travel to Edinburgh and Workington on consecutive nights this weekend.While the Rebels are already assured of their place in the end of season play-offs, team manager Garry May is keen to keep the momentum going.Said May: “We will not be going there to play second fiddle as we will go into the meetings with the same attitude which has taken us to the top of the Premier League table, with the aim of winning the matches.”WORKINGTON team manager Tony Jackson admitted he endured mixed emotions from their meetings against Peterborough and Glasgow at the weekend.Said Jackson: “Our victory at Peterborough on Friday night was our first away win in the league for almost 26 months and our home defeat to Glasgow on Saturday was our first home league defeat for almost 25 months!“Those two results last weekend certainly illustrated the highs and lows of speedway.”

TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE kept their play-off hopes alive with a 52-38 win over struggling Buxton at the National Speedway Stadium last Friday.Team boss Graham Goodwin said: “We’re proud of the way the team rose to the occasion. Even without our three heat leaders they looked powerful. It’s exactly the result we needed with the play-offs looming and they delivered.“The three points were vital in our push for the play offs. They move us up to fifth in the table so for us there’s still plenty to play for over the coming weeks.“To reach the top four has been our target from the start of the season. Tonight has proved it’s still a realistic target. That said, we have to get our remaining meetings on to keep that goal feasible.”BIRMINGHAM are through to the final of the Knockout Cup after a stunning 54-36 victory at Kent on Monday.Team manager Graham Drury said: “This bunch of riders just continue to amaze me - they're all getting better and better every single week.“We're clicking into even better form when it matters most and as a team they're riding their socks off. “We didn't want to be put under the cosh early on and the lads got off to a tremendous start to settle any nerves.“It was a brilliant team performance once again and I know I keep saying it, but there wasn't a single weak link.”BUXTON have added an extra date to their calendar with a trip to Premier League track Redcar on Thursday, September 29 (7.30).Hitmen boss Jason Pipe said: “This is a fixture I've always wanted to see happen at some point over the last two seasons. “With Redcar being my local track and with me knowing a lot of people there, I'm sure there's going to be some banter going on over the next three weeks and god help me if the result was to go against us!“I'm really excited for this fixture to be happening. It not just gives our own riders the chance of more track time, but it's also going to be the last meeting of 2016 at Redcar, so I can imagine a fair few fans will want to still come along and get their last speedway fix of the season.” COVENTRY Storm’s troubled home run continued with double defeat in Friday’s National League double header at Brandon.Team boss Laurence Rogers said: “I would have bet on us in Heat 15 against the Isle of Wight, but we couldn’t pull it off although all credit to Tom Perry for his great efforts as a guest for us today.“Other than that, we’ve had so many problems. We’ve had engines blow up, we’ve had ‘arm pump’ galore, and it’s not just excuses because we’ve lost.”CRADLEY got their play-off chances back on track with three wins within the space of three days.The Heathens thrashed Stoke at Monmore Green last Tuesday before away wins against the Potters and Buxton on Saturday and Sunday respectively.Skipper Max Clegg said: “I know the boys were hurting from the big loss at Kent on Monday, but they all did well to learn from that and get the big win at home to Stoke on Tuesday.“We saw the away meetings at Stoke and Buxton this weekend as a big chance to get some more points on the board and to get all eight is a big boost for the team.“It has put us back in a strong position and we need to make sure we follow it up with another home win against Kent a week on Monday.”EASTBOURNE are still pondering how to manage highly-rated youngster Tom Brennan over the remainder of the season.Eagles Chairman Martin Dugard told Speedway Star: “We have a bit of an issue. We need to keep Tom riding week in week out, but if he rides in the league he could be a 4.00 or 4.50-point rider by next year.“From the club’s point of view, we would love him to ride right now, but we are looking after his interests and what would be fair on him next year at the start of his first full season as a 15-year-old.” ISLE OF WIGHT stormed to a 47-43 away win at Coventry on Friday – thanks to a stunning 21-point maximum from reserve Nathan Stoneman.“I was obviously over the moon with that performance," Stoneman said. “I never expected to score a seven-ride maximum, especially so soon after coming back. I've basically only been back on a bike for a month so to have a meeting like that is awesome.“The bike was just working perfectly and the track was great - things just all came together and it was a great night.” KENT star Luke Clifton admits he could have barely chosen a better place to return to racing after a 12-year break.Clifton told Speedway Star: “It’s been good, but it’s the team around me. I’ve just contributed a few points here and there really.“I’ve had a few injuries along the way but I feel I’m finding some form at just the right time as this is when the trophies are won and lost. It’s all about momentum from here.” KING'S Lynn Young Stars slipped to a 54-36 defeat at Rye House with another disappointing display on their travels.Top scorer Nathan Greaves said: “We went there looking to get some more points but unfortunately it just wasn't our day. We all gave it our best but it just wasn't good enough on the day.“We're still feeling positive though; we've still got plenty of meetings to come and we won't give up on those play-offs until it's mathematically out of our reach.”MILDENHALL chief Kevin Jolly is desperate to end their season on a high ahead of their local derby clash with King’s Lynn at West Row on Sunday.Jolly told Speedway Star: “We still have plenty to race for, with a derby against King’s Lynn coming up.“We want to go out on a high even if there’s not a mathematical chance of the play-offs now.” RYE HOUSE No.1 Robert Branford admitted “I don’t want the season to end!” after leading them to their fourth win in five meetings on Sunday.Branford, who bagged 11 points in their 47-42 win over Mildenhall, said: “With my form at the moment, I really don’t want the season to end. “I’m just taking it meeting by meeting and keeping myself busy. I’m not looking at the end yet, but it feels as though the season has gone really quickly. Fortunately the off-season will go pretty quickly too, and before you know it we’ll be in March again.”STOKE boss Malcolm Vasey was keen to look at the positives after a 49-41 defeat against play-off chasing Cradley at Loomer Road on Saturday.Vasey said: “Although it was disappointing to lose we battled extremely hard and pushed them all the way. “We had a superb guest in Danyon Hume who did an excellent job for us and it was good to see Tony (Atkin) top scoring. “All the team fought hard and there was some good racing, so despite the result I hope the supporters enjoyed the meeting.”

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30PREMIER 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 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Belle Vue (follows EL fixture)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17:PREMIER LEAGUE: Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7.15, Workington v Somerset 7pmNATIONAL 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 Coventry 2pm, Eastbourne v Belle Vue (follows previous fixture), Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 3.30, Rye House v Isle of Wight 6pm, Stoke v Kent (Start time TBC)

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

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22:LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Sheffield v Somerset 7.30TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23:PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Cradley 7.30, Coventry v Stoke 7pm, Coventry v Rye House (follows previous fixture)KENT COUNTY FOURS: Kent 6.30

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24:LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Glasgow 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v King’s Lynn 7.30

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Eastbourne 3pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Cradley v Eastbourne 7.30