(SPEEDWAY 1)
BRITISH hero Chris Harris will race to the rescue for Wolverhampton in their re-arranged play-off semi-final with Poole at Monmore on Wednesday.Harris has answered the call from Wolves bosses to step in for Jacob Thorssell who is required in his home country for the Swedish play-off final.It’s not the first time the Coventry man has helped out Wolverhampton this season and he is currently looking to put himself in the shop window after asking for a move from Brandon this winter.Wolverhampton owner Chris Van Straaten said: “We would like to thank Chris for standing in, he is always a popular choice as a guest rider because he never fails to produce 100 per cent effort.“We are 12-points down from the first leg, so we are still within touching distance, but we cannot afford any silly errors and we all have to be on top of our game.“I’m sure it will be a good night of entertainment for the fans and we are obviously looking to turn over the first leg deficit.”Poole will again have Rohan Tungate deputising for the injured Bjarne Pedersen as they seek to remain on course for a fourth successive Elite League title.Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “It is good that we have a lead from the first leg and it is one that we intend to defend in earnest.“That, though, is an easier thing to say than do as Wolverhampton are very strong on their home patch. “We must go there with belief in ourselves, nobody ever said that winning league titles is an easy task and this year's title race has proven that. It is going to be a very interesting match especially if we can contain them sufficiently from the start.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue have called up Patrick Hougaard to guest in their re-arranged Elite League play-off semi-final against Lakeside on Wednesday.The sides will try again at the National Speedway Stadium after a rain-off on Monday, with Hougaard in for Max Fricke who is involved in the Swedish play-off Final, as the Aces look to translate their 49-41 lead into a second successive Grand Final appearance.The Hammers have also made a change with Robert Lambert taking the guest duties for unavailable No.1 Andreas Jonsson.Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “The forecast for Wednesday is looking much better so we're ready to roll again. We've just got to keep our head in the game because situations like this can be mentally exhausting on the boys."But they know the drill and are eager to get racing. Lakeside have brought in a new guest at No.1, Robert Lambert, who you could argue is a much better choice considering his track record here."For ourselves, we also have a great guest in Patrick Hougaard due to Max being unavailable, but that in no way devalues the level of competition that we can expect from both teams on the night.”Lakeside boss Jon Cook said: “It’s a tall order to overturn eight-points, but we will go there with a positive attitude and won’t give up.“Here at the Hammers, we like to do things the right way and that’s why we have pushed the boat out to get Robert in – we are doing it for the pride of the club and the paying public in Manchester along with TV viewers.“Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and, who knows, anything can happen in this sport!”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
EASTBOURNE took the advantage from the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final with a 46-44 win at Cradley on Tuesday.The Eagles edged a tight encounter at Monmore and will now be favourites to progress when the sides meet again at Arlington in mid-October.The teams were never separated by more than four points but a last heat 4-2 from Adam Ellis and Ellis Perks saw the visitors to a win on the night.Perks top-scored with 12 points against his former club, whilst Ashley Morris scored 13 for the Heathens with guest Danny Ayres on 12.Eagles manager Connor Dugard said: “A brilliant night. Everyone was really keyed up for this meeting and it showed. There was a massive hunger to win.“We have done a great job tonight but it is only half-time. The second leg at Arlington will be another close affair without doubt and we must not lose concentration.”Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “Unfortunately we came up against a very good, solid Eastbourne team and we just weren't good enough on the night.“The performance and result kind of summed up our season whereby we were a bit too reliant on our three heat-leaders and just one of the reserves while the other lads struggled for points between them.“We realise it's going to be very hard to progress now but we can't go there with a negative mindset.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
CONNOR Coles is to cut short a holiday to guest for Ipswich in their play-off quarter-final at Edinburgh on Friday.Coles, who impressed in the first leg, is set to stand in for the injured Danyon Hume once again at Armadale as the Witches defend a 26-point advantage.He said: “The crowd reaction (at Foxhall) was really nice to hear and getting a 5-1 with Ben Barker was great too. I can't wait to ride on Friday. I get back on Thursday from Spain and then go up to Edinburgh for another holiday! “I'm going to see my Gran and Grandad in Spain but I'll be coming back on Thursday now. I'm flying to Alicante and their house is about an hour's drive from there and I was supposed to be staying there until Saturday. “I'll catch a flight back to Stansted on Thursday instead now though and the club are helping me out with regards to the change of flight but it's an extra £230, so I wasn't expecting them to pay all of that anyway!”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
THE Isle of Wight have confirmed Neil Vatcher is set to stand down as team manager following the announcement of his new role with the Speedway Control Bureau.Vatcher will take charge of the Warriors for the final time at Buxton on October 9 but will then be unable to be connected with a club.Isle of Wight co-promoter Barry Bishop said: “I am sure I speak for everyone connected with the club when I say how proud we are for Neil with his new role at the SCB. We are sure he will be an extremely valuable asset to British Speedway in that position and we wish him every success. “Of course, it is indeed with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to Neil as our team manager but I am sure that the acorn he helped plant will continue to flourish as we build towards 2017. “Once the 2016 campaign is completed we can start the discussions with those who express interest to manage the 2017 Warriors, and I have to say applications have begun already.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF Q/F 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
