Photo Shows:
Edinburgh’s Erik Riss on his way to 14 points in Friday’s home win against Berwick - a result that keeps the Monarchs on top of the SGB Championship table.
Picture: RON MacNEILL
SGB PREMIERSHIP
BELLE VUE – “I have put myself in a tricky situation financially but it had to be done.” Steve Worrall lifts the lid on the £25,000-plus investment he has made in order to make it Poland. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Fri July 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “The World Games will now be taking place across the original date. We would have been going there without Robert Lambert, Chris Holder and Kai Huckenbeck.” Stars boss Dale Allitt explains the change of date for his side’s trip to Rye House. It now takes place on Wednesday, August 9.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 12 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “Greg Hancock, Darcy Ward and Chris Holder – all champion racers – told me how important England was in helping them step up." New Lions signing Pawel Przedpelski on his new venture at Beaumont Park.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Mon July 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Weds Aug 2 (7.30)
POOLE – “He has been a victim of his own success in terms of averages and is desperate for a chance to shine at this level again.” Promoter Matt Ford on Richie Worrall’s capture on a 28-day deal following Brady Kurtz’s injury.
NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Premiership, Weds July 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “I chopped and changed my line a couple of times just to keep him guessing and it worked.” Reserve Stuart Robson on his win over Wolverhampton’s Kyle Howarth, a race that saw Freddie Lindgren consigned to his only last place of the Premiership season so far.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Sat July 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds July 19 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “Over the past three years I knew I had it in me so I wouldn’t say I have surprised myself.” Cameron Heeps on his strong start to life in the Premiership. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Fri July 28 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 26 (7.30)
SWINDON - “Swindon’s track will suit me a lot more than Wolverhampton’s did because I’m Polish and used to the bigger type of track.” Robins new boy Tobiasz Musielak reckons he will be right at home at Blunsdon. He replaces Dany Gappmaier.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri July 14 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – “It is like an old farmer’s hat and looks like it has been around.” Kyle Howarth lifts the lid on the forfeit members of Wolverhampton’s top five must endure for being the lowest scorers – donning a rather dashing flat cap. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Premiership, Mon July 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Say July 15 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “With Lewis Bridger and Nick Morris in harness that score could have been dramatically different.” Boss Gary Havelock rued the absence of his key duo in Friday’s 53-39 loss at Edinburgh.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sat July 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
EDINBURGH - “We are now focusing on the play-offs and are well placed but we must win our home matches.” Co-promoter Alex Harkess on the importance of good form at Armadale.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Fri July 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs July 27 (7.30)
GLASGOW – “We ran with a different engine, one we haven't run for a while round here, because I felt the other one hadn't been doing the business lately.” Aaron Summers reveals the secret behind his 15-point maximum in the 51-41 win against Peterborough on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Sun July 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat July 15 (7pm)
IPSWICH - “We need to win and stop them from getting any points.” Boss Ritchie Hawkins is under no illusions as to what is required against Sheffield on Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Weds July 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEWCASTLE – “It was a match that could have gone either way.” Boss George English was happy to see Diamonds edge out in-form Ipswich 46-44 on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Mon July 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri July 14 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – "I think we've all run out of superlatives to describe Jack’s recent form and I'm sure a change of riding position won't affect that.” Boss Carl Johnson on star-man Jack Holder’s return to the top of the Panthers order.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Fri July 14 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat July 15 (7pm)
REDCAR - “I think people are really beginning to take us seriously as play-off contenders.” Boss Jitendra Duffill hails his team’s push for the top four.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Championship, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sun July 16 (5pm)
SCUNTHORPE – “It’s just a shame we’ve not got a home meeting next week.” Promoter Rob Godfrey would have liked the chance for his Scorpions to maintain the momentum of Friday’s 54-39 beating of Newcastle.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sun July 23 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – “They all looked good at Peterborough, Sedgy (Justin Sedgmen) was trapping like a demon and so fast once he got in front, you could say the same for Kyle Newman too.” Number one Josh Grajczonek warns his Tigers team-mates of the power Ipswich will possess on Wednesday having recently faced them as a guest for Peterborough.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Thurs July 13 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Weds July 12 (7.30)
WORKINGTON – “I treat every meeting the same so nothing will change and I’ll do what I can to try to make sure Belle Vue and Workington are in the play-offs.” Craig Cook vows to remain focused on his club commitments after a whirlwind few weeks.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sat July 15 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Championship, Mon July 17 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS – “Kent came here and pushed us harder than we’ve ever been pushed on our home track, and so we had to adapt and adjust.” No.1 Dan Bewley was delighted to see the Colts overcome their toughest home test of the season to see off Kent last week.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Thurs July 20 (7.15)
BIRMINGHAM - “In official matches that’s now 8-1 to Birmingham, so I think we’re definitely the pride of the Midlands at the moment!” A delighted Graham Drury after the Brummies thrashed local rivals Cradley 57-31 at Perry Barr last week.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun July 16 (3pm)
BUXTON – “We were a little unlucky and I thought we might run them closer, maybe even a last heat decider but losing Ben Woodhull in heat two to a wrist injury was a bit of a blow and Lee (Geary) had to take seven rides and he was tired at times.” Team boss Jason Pipe felt some early misfortune prevented them from challenging for a consolation point at Cradley last week.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri July 14 (8pm)
CRADLEY – “I’m very disappointed, and even embarrassed with the final scoreline.” Team boss Will Pottinger had no excuses after their heavy defeat against Birmingham last week.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Weds July 12 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE – “We were shocked when we were predicted to come seventh. I think we’re comfortably a play-off team.” Eagles boss Connor Dugard told Speedway Star they are taking delight in proving their doubters wrong.
NEXT HOME: Buxton, National League, Sat July 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon July 17 (6.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “This year I have a renewed love for the sport and a huge desire to do well for the Wightlink Warriors.” New signing Adam Portwood is determined to take his chance at Smallbrook.
NEXT HOME: GB Young Lions Select, Challenge, Thurs July 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 22 (7.30)
KENT – Guesting No.1 Ben Morley struck a 15-point maximum as Kent saw off Mildenhall 49-41 at Central Park on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, National League, Mon July 17 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sat August 12 (3pm)
LAKESIDE – “I got off to a pretty steady start but in the last month or so things have really taken off.” In-form Alfie Bowtell told Speedway Star he has been delighted to turn a corner in recent weeks.
NEXT HOME: Buxton, National League, Fri July 14 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon August 14 (6.30)
MILDENHALL – “Some harsh words were dished out today, some of the riders needed reminding of what was expected of them and thankfully the response was what I would have hoped for in the final races.” Fen Tigers’ Promoter Kevin Jolly revealed a mid-meeting team talk sparked their late revival to snatch a Cup replay against Stoke.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Sun July 16 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds August 16 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH – “Everyone else is bright and happy which makes life easy. Everyone fits in, we roll along quite nicely and have a good home-track advantage.” Adam Roynon is loving the atmosphere within the Devils’ camp. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, National League, Thurs July 20 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Cradley, National League, Weds July 12 (7.30)
STOKE – “I will admit it feels like we have lost having been 12-points up on aggregate with four races left but we still in there and ready for the battle in the replay.” Potters’ boss Malcolm Vasey admitted there was some frustration as they drew with Mildenhall over two legs in the Knockout Cup.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Knockout Cup, Sun July 30 (time TBC)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock anticipates a thrilling battle in the SGB Championship Pairs at the Oaktree Arena on July 21.
Line-ups have been declared for the traditional pre-British Grand Prix major event, which always attracts a big crowd at the start of a massive speedway weekend.
All ten Championship clubs compete in the meeting, and several of Somerset’s regular SGB Premiership riders are involved as they represent their second-tier clubs.
Sheffield’s Josh Grajczonek is a double previous winner of the event, having triumphed with Somerset in 2013 and 2016 prior to the Rebels’ elevation to Premiership level.
Meanwhile Edinburgh’s Sam Masters and Danny King of Ipswich will be looking to repeat their victories of 2014 and 2015 respectively, although they will have different partners on this occasion.
Along with Grajczonek, other current Rebels riders in the line-up are Glasgow’s Richard Lawson, Scunthorpe duo Michael Palm Toft and Lewis Kerr, and Redcar’s Charles Wright.
Hancock said: “When Somerset went up a league and it was decided at the AGM the Pairs would continue its reign here at Somerset we could not be happier to host it, just a stone’s throw from Cardiff - for me, it does seem right.
“The big concern was if the Somerset fans would still turn out. We need not worry as the line-up will actually have several Somerset team members within various pairs as they ride for their Championship clubs.
“The line-up for me is one of the best it has ever been. All ten clubs in the league are represented. We have three of the top British Finalists within this meeting and some of the pairings are mouth-watering.”
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
*ZACH Wajtknecht was crowned British Under-19 Champion with a flawless 15-point maximum at Plymouth last Thursday.
The Swindon and Lakeside star had missed the 2016 event due to injury but underlined his current run of form with an unbeaten performance at the St Boniface Arena.
The remaining rostrum places were decided via a three-man run-off with Dan Bewley heading home Kyle Bickley, with Jack Parkinson-Blackburn fourth overall.
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: ZACH WAJTKNECHT
BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: RORY SCHLEIN; KYLE HOWARTH
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Swindon, Date TBC
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 24
FIXTURE PICTURE…
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 2pm
SUNDAY JULY 16:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pm, 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
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Workington 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
THURSDAY JULY 20:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Rye House 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Workington 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Belle Vue 7.15
COBRA’S GARAGE MAHAL BEST PAIRS: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 21:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: Somerset 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 22:
BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Cardiff 5pm
SUNDAY JULY 23:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Redcar 5pm, Scunthorpe v Glasgow 5.30
MONDAY JULY 24:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Stoke 7.30
JOHN CEARNS CUP: Kent v Wimbledon 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 26:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Somerset 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Isle of Wight 7.30
