SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “I don’t care what my average says.” Kenneth Bjerre could not be less interested in his tag as steal of the season. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Premiership, Fri June 9 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Weds June 14 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “I’ve gained from starting off badly and taking my average in the opposite direction to what I wanted to.” Simon Lambert says his troublesome start to 2017 helped him gain a move to the Stars. Check out King’s Lynn’s programme on Wednesday for the full interview.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Weds June 7 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri June 16 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “It’s just one of those things that happens in speedway but it seems to always happen to Leicester!” Captain Danny King rues guest Josh Grajczonek’s misfortune as the Lions battled for a 45-45 home draw with Poole on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Sat June 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon June 12 (7.30)
POOLE – "Is this team strong enough? I do question that at the moment.” Promoter Matt Ford pulls no punches in his assessment of Poole’s chances. For more, pick up a copy of the Pirates programme on Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Weds June 7 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri June 9 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “It all depends how they turn up on the day. I believe it is more about the attitude of the rider than the track.” Boss Peter Schroeck reckons his Rockets can be masters of their own destiny.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Weds June 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds June 7 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “I think my commitments have shut me down.” Temporary Rebel Michael Palm Toft, signed as injury cover for Patrick Hougaard, says his commitments in Denmark have stifled his bid to gain a Premiership berth until now. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Fri June 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Premiership, Sat June 10 (7.30)
SWINDON - “I'm as sore as, and the bike is one hell of a mess. I've also lost my helmet which took a huge whack and is unsafe to use again.” Robins charger Bradley Wilson-Dean was in the wars during his GP qualifier in Germany.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Thurs June 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri July 14 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – “I’ve never won there as an away rider, so it’d be nice to change that on Wednesday.” Sam Masters wants to change the course of history and help Wolves to an eighth straight Premiership win when they visit Poole.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Premiership, Mon June 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds June 7 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “Newcastle need to look out as we are hungry for more wins now we have a couple under our belts." Struggling but defiant, Bandits boss Gary Havelock has faith in his side to trump the Diamonds on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Sat June 10 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sun June 11 (5pm)
EDINBURGH - “It made some of the outside passes kind of scary!” Low sunlight and dirt on the track put Ricky Wells’s heart in his mouth during Friday’s 49-44 win over Sheffield.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Fri June 9 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
GLASGOW – "I didn't feel I deserved it as much because of my last two rides.” Reserve Jack Smith was happy to pick up the Rider of the Night award after Sunday’s 54-38 beating of Berwick nonetheless.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Sun June 11 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat June 10 (7pm)
IPSWICH - “He has come in and set an example at times.” Team boss Ritchie Hawkins has been impressed by newcomer Nathan Greaves.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri June 16 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE – "We all knew Sheffield were going to be a hard prospect but our lads dug deep when they had to and held them off.” Boss George English was happy enough despite Sheffield escaping Byker with a point on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Sun June 11 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – "An away team cannot request that a meeting is abandoned while they are in a losing position.” Promoter Ged Rathbone was adamant everyone agreed with the abandonment of the Panthers’ trip to Scunthorpe on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Sun June 11 (5pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
REDCAR - “You will notice there is a big shake up in our riding order.” Boss Jitendra Duffill highlights the switch that sees Ellis Perks climb into the main body of the team with Coty Garcia dropping to reserve.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri June 9 (7pm)
SCUNTHORPE – “I do wish I’d simply asked for some time out instead of telling everyone I was going to retire.” Scorpions charger Josh Auty after his retirement U-turn.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Sun June 11 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs June 15 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – “We’ve gone to two really tough away tracks in the space of three days and come away with two league points.” Boss Simon Stead was happy despite narrow defeats at Edinburgh and Newcastle.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Thurs June 8 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship. Sun June 11 (5.30)
WORKINGTON – “It is almost impossible… There are five eligible riders in the Championship.” Boss Tony Jackson highlights the headache surrounding guests for two-point riders in the second tier.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sat June 10 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sun June 11 (3pm)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS - “We just can’t stop them at the minute! We don’t have to encourage them to produce such big performances like this. Their confidence is so high they just tackle every challenge head on.” Team boss Graham Goodwin says they are on a roll after another crushing home win over Buxton last week.
NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, National League, Fri June 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National League, Sat June 17 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM – “He is one bright prospect who is a fantastic, natural talent on a speedway bike.” Brummies’ boss Graham Drury is standing by No.1 Jack Parkinson-Blackburn despite him being handed a two-week ban for withholding his services from SGB Championship club Sheffield.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, National League, Wed June 7 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon June 12 (6.30)
BUXTON - "To win matches we need to score right throughout the team right from the number one to reserve." Hitmen boss Jason Pipe believes more strength in depth is needed from his side.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Sun June 11 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sat June 17 (7pm)
CRADLEY – "This is something I’ve been looking to do for some time, it’s well over 30 years since I last met up with Cradley fans and I can’t wait." Heathens legend Lance King can't wait to be reunited with their supporters at a special evening at Halesowen Cricket Club on June 29.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Mon June 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sun July 2 (7pm)
EASTBOURNE – “Unfortunately it's a numbers game and it's fair to say that Kelsey (Dugard) hasn't been performing particularly well.” Team manager Connor Dugard after a double team change saw Jake Knight and Matt Saul replace Connor Coles and Kelsey Dugard.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, National League, Sat June 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Wed June 7 (7.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT – "I can't wait to be back in IOW colours, they welcomed me last year and now I just can't wait to be spinning wheels for a club I have a lot of time for." Kelsey Dugard couldn't hide his delight after being handed a return to the Warriors.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Tue June 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League, Fri June 16 (7.30)
KENT – It was a frustrating weekend for the Kings as their Cup clash at Eastbourne and National Trophy encounter with Mildenhall were both washed out.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Mon June 12 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri June 9 (8pm)
LAKESIDE - “Whenever you ride for a new club for the first time, you always want to get off to a good start." New signing Connor Locke is desperate to make a good first impression for the Hammers on Friday. Read more on this week's Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Fri June 9 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Wed June 21 (7.30)
MILDENHALL – “All six lads gave put in bags of effort today and covered Jordan’s absence well." Team manager Robert Henry after the Fen Tigers made it seven home wins out of seven against Plymouth on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, National League, Sun June 18 (3.30)
NEXT AWAY: Buxton, National League, Sun June 11 (3.30)
PLYMOUTH – "All in all it was a good workout for the lads with Adam Roynon showing what a force he will be, especially as he hasn't ridden in about a month!" Devils boss Laurence Rogers is backing Adam Roynon to make a major impact after his winning debut against a National League Select side.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, National League, Fri June 9 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Sat June 17 (7.30)
STOKE – "It was an extremely hard-fought match between the two sides and it showed how the changes that the Buxton management have improved their side." Potters' boss Malcolm Vasey after a narrow home win over Buxton on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Buxton, National League, Sat June 17. (7pm).
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Fri June 9 (7.15)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
BELLE Vue skipper Craig Cook insists winning is everything as he prepares for another shot at British Final glory on his home circuit.
Cook, who also lines up for Championship club Workington, will be one of the favourites for the National Speedway Stadium showpiece event on Monday June 19.
The 30-year-old has suffered the frustration of finishing as runner-up in each of the last three seasons, and is determined to take the final step this year.
Cook said: “The enjoyment probably isn’t in riding the bikes for me. I am a winner, that’s what I love to do and that’s what it is all about.
“If I get a 15-point maximum, that’s what I like, it means everything to me. If I didn’t enjoy riding, I wouldn’t do it but winning means far more than just being a part of it.
“I am a fierce competitor no matter what I am doing. That’s what my whole life has revolved around from a very young age, winning. I hate losing, there is nothing worse for me, I absolutely hate it.
“You have to have that killer instinct to be successful in racing, in any professional sport or in life. That is my attitude, I don’t think it is going to change any time soon and who knows? Maybe when I retire in a few years, I will still be trying to race the lawnmower around the garden!”
Cook begins his British Final challenge in a mouth-watering Heat 4 which also features seven-times champion Scott Nicholls, former Belle Vue rider Richie Worrall and debutant Rory Schlein, who won the recent semi-final at Newcastle.
Reigning champion Danny King, who triumphed in tough conditions last season, has an early start to the meeting as he races in Heat 1, whilst the other previous winner Chris Harris – seeking his first victory since 2010 - appears for the first time in Heat 2 where he faces Sheffield semi-final winner Kyle Howarth.
With a Wild Card place for the British Grand Prix to be decided and GB boss Alun Rossiter also closing in on his final selections for the World Cup in July, there is plenty riding on the meeting.
Adult tickets for the event, which is sponsored by Integro, start at £20, with grandstand seating available at £23 and £25. Full pricing structure and booking details available from www.bellevueaces.co .
BRITISH FINAL DRAW: 1. Carl Wilkinson (Scunthorpe), 2. Danny King (Leicester/Ipswich), 3. Lewis Bridger (Berwick), 4. Jason Garrity (Leicester/Redcar), 5. Lewis Rose (King’s Lynn/Newcastle), 6. Kyle Howarth (Wolverhampton/Sheffield), 7. Lewis Kerr (Somerset/Scunthorpe), 8. Chris Harris (Rye House/Peterborough), 9. Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Newcastle), 10. Richard Lawson (Somerset/Glasgow), 11. Paul Starke (Peterborough), 12. Stuart Robson (Rye House), 13. Richie Worrall (Glasgow), 14. Craig Cook (Belle Vue/Workington), 15. Scott Nicholls (Rye House), 16. Rory Schlein (Wolverhampton/Ipswich).
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017
SGBP PAIRS: KING’S LYNN
BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue, June 19
SGBC PAIRS: Somerset, July 21
SGBC FOURS: Peterborough, August 6
SGBP RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue, September 16
SGBC RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow, September 24
OTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DATES
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: JAMES SHANES
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT LAMBERT
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Plymouth, July 6
BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: RORY SCHLEIN; KYLE HOWARTH
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 24
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JUNE 7:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 8:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 9:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Kent 8pm, Plymouth v Stoke 7.15
SATURDAY JUNE 10:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Somerset 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 11:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Peterborough v Berwick 5pm, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Mildenhall 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 4: Rye House 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 12:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Leicester 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Birmingham 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 13:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Birmingham 7pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 14:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Belle Vue 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 15:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 16:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v King’s Lynn 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Isle of Wight 7.30
DEVON BEST PAIRS: Plymouth 7.15
SATURDAY JUNE 17:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30, Lakeside v Plymouth 7.30, Stoke v Buxton 7pm
KEVIN DOOLAN TESTIMONIAL: Berwick 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 18:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30, Peterborough v Sheffield 5pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 19:
BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 21:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Leicester 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Lakeside 7.30
