Photo shows Plymouth’s star man Adam Roynon hits the front in last Wednesday’s 47-43 National League KO Cup win at Birmingham.
Picture: CHRIS SIMPSON
BELLE VUE – “Let’s go out there and just enjoy it. I just want to go there, open a few people’s eyes and do well for GB.” Aces charger and Team GB skipper Craig Cook is looking forward to Saturday’s World Cup final.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Fri July 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “My injuries did hurt a bit when I hit the dirt but it wasn’t too bad.” Stars favourite Robert Lambert shrugged off his broken wrist to help Team GB into Saturday’s World Cup final.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 12 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “Adults will be admitted for £9.99 while under-18s will be able to get in absolutely free!” Lions hope to pack out Beaumont Park when the BT Sport cameras visit on Monday, July 17.
NEXT HOME: British Youth Championship, round five, Sun July 9 (3pm), then Swindon, Premiership, Mon July 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Weds Aug 2 (7.30)
POOLE – “There’s no doubt we’ll be there at the end.” Brady Kurtz is bullish about Poole’s prospects despite a mixed start to 2017.
NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Premiership, Weds July 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “We spoke to several Grand Prix riders but they were unable to commit themselves until mid-August.” Co-promoter Steve Jenson reveals his lofty ambitions for the Rockets as he explains last week’s double team change. Ben Barker and Justin Sedgmen replaced Edward Kennett and Ellis Perks.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Sat July 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon July 10 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “I still feel like I am struggling a little bit in the Premiership.” Rebels charger Josh Grajczonek is targeting improved away form. See this week's Speedway Star for more.
NEXT HOME: Somerset Select VII v Isle of Wight, Challenge, Fri July 7 (7.30), then Wolverhampton, Premiership, Fri July 28 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 26 (7.30)
SWINDON - “No prouder person at the moment thanks to the GB boys. Outstanding, thanks to the awesome fans and their support. Thank you all.” Robins and Team GB boss Alun Rossiter lauds his international side’s efforts on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri July 14 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – “I'm not going to single any out but there were two or three races that we were particularly disappointed with.” Boss Peter Adams knew where it went wrong for Wolves at Swindon.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Mon July 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Say July 15 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – "It was another match we'll have to put down to experience and whilst not totally forget about, at least file away.” Bandits co-promoter Dennis McCleary wants to forget Sunday’s 60-33 battering at Newcastle.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Sat July 8 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri July 7 (7.30)
EDINBURGH - “Personally I’ll be trying to prove I deserve to be there and do everything I can to help us get the job done.” Monarchs charger Sam Masters celebrates his late call-up for Friday’s World Cup race-off in the wake of Nick Morris’s injury.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Fri July 7 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs July 27 (7.30)
GLASGOW – “If the door's open you've got to take it.” Richard Lawson on his no-holds-barred show that produced 14 points against Sheffield.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sat July 8 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat July 15 (7pm)
IPSWICH - “We were just not good enough on the day.” Rory Schlein delivered a typically straight assessment after the Witches lost 48-42 at Peterborough on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Championship, Thurs July 6 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat July 8 (5pm)
NEWCASTLE – ‘We were impressed with Alfie on track last Sunday and in talks since that day, his eagerness to progress in the sport sealed his promotion to the Championship.” Co-promoter Alan Headley explains why Diamonds signed Alfie Bowtell.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Sun July 9 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship, Fri July 7 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – “It’s not just about me. The other guys are all doing their bit to help us get the wins we need to reach the play-offs.” Man-of-the-moment Jack Holder shares the plaudits after his five-ride paid maximum helped Panthers beat Ipswich 48-42 in a derby thriller on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Fri July 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs July 6 (7.30)
REDCAR - “Finding guests to replace him is proving to be very difficult. There are few riders of equal ability available to cover his absence.” Boss Jitendra Duffill explains the trouble he will have covering Jason Garrity’s three-to-four-week lay-off with a broken scaphoid.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Thurs July 6 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sun July 16 (5pm)
SCUNTHORPE – “We’ll see how long he’s going to be out for and take it from there.” Promoter Rob Godfrey will assess what to do after Tero Aarnio suffered a suspected broken thumb against Redcar on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Fri July 7 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs July 6 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – "That's probably the most disappointing performance and result we've had since I've been team manager. Some members of the team have to go home and think long and hard about things after a meeting like that.” Boss Simon Stead pulled no punches after the Tigers were tamed 55-37 at Glasgow on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat July 8 (7pm)
WORKINGTON – “We weren’t particularly happy with the way Newcastle went about a few things.” Matt Williamson tries to remain diplomatic while joining the debate over the Comets’ controversial Knockout Cup exit to Newcastle. Owner Laura Morgan also had her say in last week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Sat July 8 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Championship, Sun July 16 (6.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS – “It’s been going good in the National League. I obviously haven’t got as many meetings there as I do in the other two leagues, but it’s going well.” Colts star Jack Smith is making the most of his points scoring opportunities in the third tier. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Weds July 5 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Thurs July 20 (7.15)
BIRMINGHAM - “There was a lot of disappointment after a below-par performance at home last night, but I think we did ourselves proud tonight.” Brummies’ boss Graham Drury felt his side salvaged some pride despite being knocked out of the Cup by Plymouth last week.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, National League, Weds July 5 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun July 16 (3pm)
BUXTON – “I'd love to see him progress his speedway career and put something on to his starting average from 2016 of 3.57, which he is very much capable of doing.” Hitmen boss Jason Pipe is backing new signing Jamie Halder to kick on at the Hi-Edge Raceway.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri July 14 (8pm)
CRADLEY – “We were always wary of Buxton, but we weren’t complacent and we took the match by the scruff of the neck from the start.” Heathens’ manager Will Pottinger was pleased to get back to winning ways with a 53-37 home win over Buxton on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Weds July 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 5 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE – “It was a tremendous fightback by the team. Our unbeaten streak had to come to an end sometime. I am proud of how we performed today.” Eagles’ manager Connor Dugard admitted he had no complaints after their unbeaten run came to an end with a narrow defeat at Mildenhall.
NEXT HOME: Buxton, National League, Sat July 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon July 17 (6.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “We will continue to search for a replacement for Tyler Govier, while doing our best to develop Jamie Sealey into the rider we know he can become.” Warriors’ co-promoter Barry Bishop insists they are working hard to address their lower order frailties.
NEXT HOME: VFM and AS Challenge, Thurs July 6 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 22 (7.30)
KENT – Ben Morley and Jack Thomas both struck full maximums whilst Ben Hopwood and Nathan Stoneman recorded paid maximums as the Kings crushed the Isle of Wight 60-22 at Central Park on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Mon July 10 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League, Weds July 5 (7.30)
LAKESIDE – “I’m loving every minute of my racing at the minute and I think that always makes a difference.” Hammers’ No.1 Zach Wajtknecht says he is loving life at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
NEXT HOME: Buxton, National League, Fri July 14 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon August 14 (6.30)
MILDENHALL – “What can you say about that last heat? Jordan (Jenkins) rode it like an old hand and Armo (Jon Armstrong) was just superb keeping their pair at bay.” Chairman Kevin Jolly was thrilled to see last-heat heroics snatch the Fen Tigers a 46-44 win over high-flying Eastbourne at West Row.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Sun July 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon July 10 (6.30)
PLYMOUTH – “I have really enjoyed my few meetings with the Devils and have been made to feel very welcome by the fans, management and my team mates. The team spirit at Plymouth is unbelievable and I am so looking forward now to being part of that.” Teenager William O’Keefe is delighted to have his first full-time team place with the Devils.
NEXT HOME: British Under 19 Final, Thurs July 6 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sat July 8 (7pm)
STOKE – “It’s obviously good for the team to beat Cradley and good for Stoke Speedway. We needed a win and we got it.” Potters’ skipper Tony Atkin after they claimed just their second win of the season with a hard-fought triumph over Cradley at Loomer Road.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Sat July 8 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Knockout Cup, Sun July 9 (3.30)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
TWO of the sport’s most popular summer events featuring SGB Championship clubs are just around the corner.
All roads lead to Somerset on Friday July 21 for the Championship Pairs, in what has become the traditional start to British Grand Prix weekend over the last decade.
Despite the Rebels’ elevation to the Premiership last winter, they will continue to host the second-tier Pairs at the Oaktree Arena – having already staged the top-flight equivalent, won by King’s Lynn, back in March.
Somerset, in fact, won the final Premier League Pairs in 2016 with Sheffield, Glasgow, Workington, Edinburgh and Ipswich all current Championship clubs to have enjoyed success in the event at its present venue.
The Monarchs have reached the Final in two of the last three years and will be hopeful of extending that record with Sam Masters looking to add to his 2014 success alongside Max Fricke.
And other former winners who will line up include Danny King, who triumphed with Ipswich in 2015, and Josh Grajczonek – victorious twice with Somerset in 2013 and 2016, who now races at Championship level for Sheffield.
Just over a fortnight after the Pairs comes the Championship Fours at Peterborough, on Sunday August 6.
Last year’s experiment of staging the event as a weekend festival of speedway proved successful with good attendances and racing of a consistently high standard, but stadium availability means the Fours returns to a one-day event this year.
The East of England Arena was the traditional staging venue for much of the Premier League era, and the Panthers once again have the honour of hosting in the first year following the league re-brand.
However, it is nearly two decades since a Peterborough team triumphed in the Fours, as their last success in the competition came way back in 1998.
They frequently hosted the event as a neutral venue during their Elite League days, but have been unable to scoop the silverware since returning to second-tier level in 2014.
As with the Pairs, there will be different winners in 2017 as last year’s victors Plymouth are no longer racing at Championship level, whilst Edinburgh had won two of the previous three stagings.
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS LINE-UPS.
Group A:
GLASGOW: Richard Lawson & Aaron Summers
PETERBOROUGH: Chris Harris & Jack Holder
IPSWICH: Danny King & Rory Schlein
WORKINGTON: Thomas Jorgensen & Ty Proctor
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft & Lewis Kerr
Group B:
EDINBURGH: Sam Masters & Erik Riss
NEWCASTLE: Robert Lambert & Steve Worrall
SHEFFIELD: Josh Grajczonek & Kyle Howarth
REDCAR: Charles Wright & Ben Barker
BERWICK: Nick Morris & David Howe
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017
SGBP PAIRS: KING’S LYNN
BRITISH FINAL: CRAIG COOK
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 FOURS: Swindon, Date TBC
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 24
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JULY 5:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Kent 7.30, Birmingham v Cradley 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 6:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Peterborough 7.30
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Plymouth 7pm
VFM and AS CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 7:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30
CHALLENGE: Somerset Select v Isle of Wight 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 8:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Glasgow v Peterborough 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Plymouth 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 9:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester 3pm
MONDAY JULY 10:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Rye House 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Mildenhall 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 12:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Plymouth 7.30 (at Birmingham)
THURSDAY JULY 13:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Berwick 7.30
CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v GB Young Lions Select 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 14:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Peterborough v Sheffield 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Buxton 8pm
SATURDAY JULY 15:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Rye House v Wolverhampton 7pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Workington v Peterborough 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Buxton 7.30
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 6: Redcar Time TBC
SUNDAY JULY 16:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pm, Newcastle v Workington 6.30, Peterborough v Redcar 5pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Birmingham 3pm
MONDAY JULY 17:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Eastbourne 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 19:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Rye House 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Cradley 7.30, Birmingham v Stoke 7.30
