(SPEEDWAY 1)
BERWICK open the doors on a new era for the club with the staging of their 50th Season Spectacular at Shielfield Park on Saturday.
The event, sponsored by Grand Henderson Tankers, has attracted a strong line-up to join the Bandits regulars in an Individual contest.
Co-promoter Scott Courtney said: “We're expecting some excellent racing especially with the international Polish star who has again joined Wolverhampton in the SGB Premiership, Adam Skornicki, in the line-up, who is one of the best entertainers in the sport today and always all-action.
“Glasgow's top men, Aaron Summers - who took some laps at our practice last weekend too - and Richie Worrall, who finished third in last Sunday's Ben Fund Bonanza at Ashfield will be banging in the big points too and are both more than capable of winning the title.”
Also included are Worrall’s twin brother Steve, Redcar newcomer Jason Garrity, new Sheffield No.1 Josh Grajczonek, Peterborough stalwart Ulrich Ostergaard, Edinburgh winter signing Ricky Wells, and the unattached James Sarjeant.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
ULRICH Ostergaard has been given the green light to lead Peterborough into battle for a fourth successive season.
The Danish racer will again captain the Panthers for the 2017 campaign – and promoter Ged Rathbone says the 35-year-old is the ideal man for the job.
Rathbone said: “No-one is more honoured to ride for Peterborough than Ulrich. This club has been a big part of his career and he is determined to enjoy more success here.
“He is respected by riders and supporters alike, but we're looking for even more from him in the pits this year.
“We need to him to share his knowledge with his team-mates and ensure the spirit is always strong.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BIRMINGHAM have been dealt a big blow less than a week before their first fixture of 2017.
Teenage reserve Kean Dicken has been ruled out of next Wednesday’s home clash with Cradley after suffering a broken tibia during the club’s Press and Practice session.
The East Yorkshire racer slid off awkwardly on his first ever lap of the Perry Barr circuit and now faces a spell on the sidelines.
Brummies boss Graham Drury said: “You have to feel for Kean because he was so excited for his first proper season in the sport.
“He was in a lot of discomfort after coming off on Wednesday and he was gutted he couldn’t get back on his bike.
“He tried to hobble it off but it was still causing him some pain. He’s since been to the hospital and it turns out he’s broken his tibia just below the knee.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WORKINGTON have commenced forward planning for 2018 by agreeing a deal in principle with local teenager Kyle Bickley to ride for the Comets.
Bickley turned 15 last month and is expected to make his National League debut this season, with his SGB Championship future then set to be at Derwent Park.
Comets co-promoter Steve Whitehead said: “Obviously this assumes that Kyle is ready for the challenge come 2018, but the general view from everyone involved with the sport is that is not expected to be a problem whatsoever.
“The most important thing is that when Kyle is old enough to compete in the SGB Championship, which will be in twelve months time, that he can ride where he feels will be best for him at that stage in his career; and he made that clear to his family, and to us, that place was his local track at Workington.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MARCH 18:
50TH SEASON SPECTACULAR: Berwick 7pm
SUNDAY MARCH 19:
CHALLENGE: Peterborough v Coventry 12pm
PETER KARLSSON FAREWELL: Wolverhampton 5pm
