(SPEEDWAY 1)

WOLVERHAMPTON have dipped into the signing market by snapping up two new riders.
They’ve reached agreement with the vastly experienced former Coventry title winner Rory Schlein as a replacement for Polish racer Adam Skornicki – whilst Edinburgh’s Mark Riss comes in at reserve to replace Max Clegg.
Both riders will make their debuts in Monday’s home SGB Premiership clash with Rye House.
Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “We wish Max well, it's been very tough for him but I also see a long term future here for him.
“He's made the jump into the senior reserve role for us and into the main body of Edinburgh's team at one time and looking back that was too much to expect from the lad.
“Mark Riss has a lot of potential and we felt we had to make this move to strengthen us at reserve.
“In Rory Schlein we have a rider who has the experience and ability to score points in the main body of our team. We were close to signing him in the winter but we are pleased to have him on board now.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

RYE House have released winter signing Davey Watt and replaced him with American star Ricky Wells.
Watt has struggled for form since returning to the top flight with the Rockets, whilst Wells comes in after a strong start to the season in the SGB Championship with Edinburgh.
Co-promoter Steve Jenson said: “We are sad to let Davey go; we all hoped that we would see the ‘old Davey’ back from the difficult time he went through these last two seasons, after the terrific display he gave in Australia this winter.
“It was worth the gamble, but unfortunately it didn’t pay off for either party. We do, though, wish him all the best: he is a great team man, and everyone knows what he can be capable of.
“We are delighted to welcome Ricky on board. He has a proven record in both leagues, and he really impressed us last season when he guested at Glasgow, and also when he visited Rye House for that matter, with his attitude, professionalism and his approach to his machinery. He really left a mark on us then, which we didn’t forget.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

IPSWICH star Nico Covatti has suffered a suspected broken wrist in a crash at Redcar on Thursday.
Covatti was involved in a collision with team-mate Danyon Hume in Heat 12 and the Witches are now anxiously awaiting news of the full extent on the damage.
Manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “Nico is in hospital, it looks like a badly broken wrist and we will wait to find out the extent of that if that is the case, and if there are any other injuries.
“It wasn’t a nice one, he was in a lot of pain and the result becomes immaterial really when you lose a rider like that who is in such pain.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

SHEFFIELD maintained their unbeaten start at Owlerton with a battling 50-40 victory over Peterborough.
A third straight home league win propelled the Tigers up to second spot in the SGB Championship after a hard-fought meeting in which a last-heat 5-1 from Kyle Howarth and Lasse Bjerre ensured the Panthers left with no points.
Visiting boss Carl Johnson was unimpressed by the Heat 14 disqualification of Bradley Wilson-Dean after a clash with Todd Kurtz.
Bjerre (12+1) and Howarth (12) led the way for the home side with Paul Starke scoring 12 for the visitors in a successful return from injury.
Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “It was a different type of win for the team, but it was another performance to be proud of.
“Peterborough kept coming back at us and they were making the better starts, but our riders showed they were desperate to keep their run going and dug very deep.
“Peterborough probably did deserve a consolation point in all honesty, but credit to our lads who kept it going right until the very end.”
Johnson said: “The referee told me there was daylight between Kurtz and Bradley in the heat 14 incident, yet the tyre-marks on Bradley’s kevlars suggest that wasn’t the case at all.
“He was shocked to be excluded and it was a massive moment in the meeting. We could have been going up against one Sheffield rider in the re-run and had a really good chance to close the gap.
“We saw a video after the meeting that clearly showed Jack took second place in Heat 15 as well. While that didn’t change the overall result, it was another source of frustration and cost the rider money.”
Meanwhile Redcar collected a second successive Championship win with a 54-35 success over Ipswich the Media Prima Arena.
The Bears’ top two of Jason Garrity (12) and Ben Barker (10+3) were in impressive form as the home side pulled clear in the closing stages with all members of their team recording at least one paid win.
Rory Schlein top-scored for the Witches with ten, but their night was marred by injury to Nico Covatti in Heat 12 whilst Cameron Heeps raced on despite illness.
Redcar promoter Kevin Keay said: “A very good result against a much fancied team. We dug deep and we had the bonus of Coty Garcia chipping in with some great points.
“A good team performance all round cheered on by a good crowd. I'm a happy promoter!”
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “It’s a disappointing result, overshadowed by Nico’s injury which is the biggest concern to us.
“Cam came down ill during the afternoon, he got to my house at 2.30pm saying he didn’t feel great and by 4pm he was really sick and even more so during the meeting.”
Meanwhile the Isle of Wight and Weymouth drew 45-45 in tribute to former speedway administrator Bryn Williams.
Matt Williamson got the better of Ben Wilson in Heat 15 to secure the draw for the visitors after the sides had traded 5-1s in the previous two races.
Isle of Wight co-promoter Barry Bishop said: “What a fantastic evening of great racing and off track fun.
“The Warriors and Wildcats were united in paying tribute to a great man, and our great clubs came together to provide a fitting spectacle that Bryn would have savoured.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BELLE Vue will look to extend their SGB Premiership lead when they host Leicester at the National Speedway Stadium tonight (Friday).
The Aces have collected five points on the road this week but have to do without the in-form Kenneth Bjerre for the fixture, as he is racing in the Danish SGP Qualifier at Slangerup.
The home side operate rider replacement whilst the Lions had brought in Cameron Heeps for the unavailable Erik Riss – but his participation is uncertain due to illness.
Belle Vue star Steve Worrall said: “Without sounding over-confident, I believe that, at home, we can perform as effectively against Leicester as we’ve done Poole and Wolverhampton and come out with a win to our name.
“Not having Kenneth with us is a setback but one rider doesn't make a team. To reach the top of the table has taken all of our efforts and if we want to stay there, we need to work together.”
Leicester boss Jim Lynch said: “Belle Vue have got off to a very good start this year and we know it’s going to be far from easy.
“But I’ll just be telling my riders to go out there and enjoy themselves – all they can do is give it their best.”
Meanwhile a new local derby takes place at top-flight level for the first time as Somerset host Swindon at the Oaktree Arena.
The Rebels have drafted in Brady Kurtz to guest for Patrick Hougaard due to the meeting in Denmark, and both sides feature a number of riders who have previously appeared for their opponents.
Somerset boss Garry May said: “Now we have got that first win under our belts, and against a team as highly rated as Poole, hopefully that will take a bit of pressure off the boys going into Friday’s match.
“With four ex-Somerset riders in their ranks, however, Swindon will definitely know their way around the Oaktree Arena, and in Jason Doyle they have one of the world’s top riders.
“But this is why we moved up into the top flight of British Speedway, in order to see riders such as Doyle at the Oaktree Arena week in, week out.”
Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “It should be a good one. It's nice to have a new local derby and we'll be looking to go down the road and get a victory.
“We've got plenty of riders with experience of Somerset, and although it won't be easy I don't see any reason why we can't go there and win.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

EDINBURGH boss Alex Harkess is urging his side to treat visitors Redcar with respect when the sides meet at Armadale tonight (Friday).
Both teams have made encouraging starts to their SGB Championship campaigns although the Bears are forced into two changes on the night.
Skipper Jason Garrity is absent due to a family funeral, with Richie Worrall stepping in to guest, whilst rider-replacement is in operation for Charles Wright (SGBP commitment).
Harkess said: “It’s almost too early to say much about Redcar as they have ridden so few matches.
“They have done well away, holding Peterborough close and winning at Scunthorpe so we will need to be at the top of our game.”
Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard is targeting a win from the Eagles’ Travel Plus National League opener at Plymouth tonight.
The Eagles completed aggregate victory over Lakeside in the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy last weekend and are now on the hunt for league points in Devon.
Dugard said: “It is new territory for us but we set out with one intention and that’s to win.
“We want to get points on the board right from the off in what looks set to be a highly competitive National League this year.”
Meanwhile Paul Hurry will come out of retirement for Lakeside, seven years after he last rode for the club, in the second leg of their Tunnel Trophy clash with Kent at Purfleet.
The Hammers lead 46-43 from the first leg and Hurry will replace Zach Wajtknecht, who is on SGB Premiership duty with Swindon.
Hurry said: “It’s going to be a great occasion and I really cannot wait!
“I’ve been through a hell of a lot but I’ve always stayed pretty close to the sport. I’m definitely no stranger to the raceway and I’ve been getting a few laps in.
“Kent are a pretty solid side so it should be a great meeting for the fans to come and watch. I’m just going to enjoy the night – but of course I’d love to get a good score and help the team win as well!”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY APRIL 21:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Somerset v Swindon 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Eastbourne 7.15
TUNNEL TROPHY 2nd leg: Lakeside v Kent 8pm

SATURDAY APRIL 22:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Poole 7pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Ipswich v Redcar 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 2nd leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Belle Vue 7pm

SUNDAY APRIL 23:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 5.30, Glasgow v Workington 5pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3pm

Results Thursday April 20, 2017;

SGB CHAMPIONSHIP

Redcar 54 (Jason Garrity 12)
Ipswich 35 (Rory Schlein 10)
SGB Championship points: Redcar 3 Ipswich 0

Sheffield 50 (Lasse Bjerre 12+1)
Peterborough 40 (Paul Starke 12)
SGB Championship points: Sheffield 3 Peterborough 0

BRYN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL

Isle of Wight 45 (Nathan Greaves 10+2)
Weymouth 45 (Matt Williamson 13)