PIC OF THE WEEK...
Swindon’s Nick Morris leads Kenneth Bjerre, Adam Ellis and Steve Worrall during the Robins shock 49-35 win at Belle Vue on Friday evening.
Picture: IAN CHARLES
BELLE VUE – “But we can’t afford to let our heads drop off the back of this. Losses happen and we have to accept that. The important thing for us now is to regroup and come back stronger next time.”
Aces star Max Fricke wants to see his side respond to their 49-35 defeat at home to Swindon last week.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon July 24 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds Aug 2 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “I will personally ensure the scenes of last Thursday will never, ever be repeated at King’s Lynn Speedway and I urge all our supporters to turn out on Wednesday to show what this club means to them.”
Stars owner Keith Chapman insists they won’t allow a repeat of the controversy which marred their home defeat against Poole last Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Premiership, Mon July 24 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “I don’t think we had a decision go our way, and we deserved the win. The reserves showed exactly what they can do, and it’s great to have that strength.”
Team boss Jim Lynch felt the Lions were hard done by as they suffered last-gasp heartache against Swindon on Monday.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Mon July 24 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Weds Aug 2 (7.30)
POOLE – “What a great result for my mighty Pirates tonight. Hope me mate Kyle Howarth isn't too badly hurt, speedy recovery to both him and James Shanes.”
Pirates’ skipper Hans Andersen was thrilled with their away win over Wolverhampton in an incident-packed Monmore Green encounter.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs July 27 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “I’m really enjoying it. I don’t feel any pressure; I just go out and enjoy my riding and let the results come for themselves.”
Recent Rockets addition Ben Barker is settling in nicely at Hoddesdon.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Premiership Weds Aug 2 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds July 19 (7.30)
SOMERSET – “I have wanted to step up for a few years but I don’t think I was as ready back then as I am now.”
Cameron Heeps told Speedway Star he reckons his strong start to life in the Premiership is all down to timing.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Fri July 28 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 26 (7.30)
SWINDON – “Tobiasz has settled into the club very nicely, he's enjoying racing for us and to score points like he has immediately is excellent. He's the missing link we've been looking for.”
Co-owner Terry Russell praised new signing Tobiasz Musielak after securing his signature on a full transfer from Wolverhampton.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds July 19 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – “He is extremely battered and bruised but the good news is nothing is broken which is a miracle in itself!”
Wolves co-promoter Chris Van Straaten couldn’t believe Kyle Howarth escaped broken bones in a horror crash in their 48-44 home defeat to Poole on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Mon July 31 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Mon July 24 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “It was an odd match, but one which shows how our season has gone to date with bursts of excellence when you least expect them.”
Bandits’ boss Gary Havelock believes their late flurry in an away defeat at Glasgow on Sunday summed up their season.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Sat July 29 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs Aug 3 (7.30)
EDINBURGH – “Josh was pointless at the time but he rode such a good race in heat 11 against Robert Lambert that I said to him - 'This is your chance.' The Newcastle riders made the gate in heat 12 but a brilliant first corner by Josh took him to the front and that turned the match.”
Monarchs chief Alex Harkess hailed Josh Pickering for his heat 12 heroics in their narrow win over Newcastle.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship, Fri Aug 4 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs July 27 (7.30)
GLASGOW – “All in all it’s good – 58 points at home and five points from the weekend – it’s not too shabby.”
Team manager Stewart Dickson was pleased with a successful weekend against Berwick.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sun July 23 (5.30)
IPSWICH - “I think we have shown fighting spirit a lot of times this season and we have stuck in meetings as well to get points.”
Ritchie Hawkins has been encouraged by the character shown by his Witches’ side so far this season.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEWCASTLE – “Stuart is always professional in the extreme and a delight to work with, and with the guy in our pits it give us an off-track upper hand as well.”
Team manager George English is thrilled to be working with Stuart Robson again after he was snapped up to replace injury victim Lewis Rose.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Sun July 30 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – “It was really important to get a result for the fans. They turned out in force on Friday night to see us get beaten and they were back again in big numbers to support us against Redcar.”
Star man Chris Harris was not underestimating the importance of their hard-fought win over Redcar on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Sun July 23 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
REDCAR – “Hopefully our luck is changing as a full side will give us the best chance of success this season.”
Bears boss Jitendra Duffill hopes returning duo Jason Garrity and Tobias Busch can give them a boost.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sun July 23 (5.30)
SCUNTHORPE – “I’d just like to apologise to our loyal fans who travelled up to Redcar. Our performance was embarrassing, and there’s no excuse for it.”
Promoter Rob Godfrey offered no excuses after the Scorpions were thrashed at Redcar last week.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sun July 23 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sat Aug 5 (7pm)
SHEFFIELD – “It’s well known we’ve had problems with reserves all season but hopefully now we’re on our way to giving our top five riders the bit of support they need.”
Co-promoter Damien Bates believes new signing Jan Graversen could be the missing piece in the Tigers’ puzzle.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat July 29 (7pm)
WORKINGTON – “Managed to come away with paid six at Newcastle. Still need to crack that place but so happy for the team to get the win!”
Comets’ middle order man Matt Williamson took to Twitter to hail their hard-fought win at Newcastle on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sat July 22
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs July 20 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS – “I didn’t think I’d be out as long as I was, but to be fair I may as well have broken my arm because everything comes through the thumb.”
Colts star Rob Shuttleworth admits he was frustrated by his recent injury lay-off.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Thurs July 20 (7.15)
BIRMINGHAM – “I'd firstly like to apologise to the paying public for having to use a side that included three guests as well as rider replacement.”
Graham Drury was frustrated to head to Mildenhall with a patched-up side on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri July 28 (8pm)
BUXTON – Buxton suffered two away defeats in the space of two days as they went down at Lakeside and Eastbourne on Friday and Saturday respectively.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Sun July 30 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, National League, Thurs August 3 (7.30)
CRADLEY – “It’s a good result for us. We know what we need to do, we just need more meetings now and we’ll be alright.”
Skipper Tom Perry believes a home win over Plymouth last week has put them right back on track.
NEXT HOME: Stoke, National League, Mon July 24 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE – “There is still more improvement to come from me, believe me.”
Eagles ace Mark Baseby told Speedway Star he has plenty more to come over the remainder of the season.
NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, National League, Sat July 29 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Sun August 5 (3pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “Both on and off track, we were cohesive and effective. The riders and mechanics worked together magnificently.”
Co-promoter Barry Bishop praised the team work of his Warriors’ side after they defeat a GB Young Lions Select side last week at Smallbrook.
NEXT HOME: Cobra’s Garage Mahal Best Pairs, Thurs July 23 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 22 (7.30)
KENT – Kent put in a strong all-around team display to earn a 51-39 win over Eastbourne at Central Park on Monday. Guest Ben Morley again top scored whilst Jack Thomas and Anders Rowe also impressed for the Kings.
NEXT HOME: Wimbledon, Challenge, Mon July 24 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sat August 12 (3pm)
LAKESIDE – “We were delighted to keep the home record going and it was a good way to shake off the rust after a bit of a break.”
Hammers’ boss Kelvin Tatum was pleased to pick up where they left off with a comfortable home win over Buxton last Friday.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Fri July 28 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon August 14 (6.30)
MILDENHALL – “That’s a straight ten at home now and I really don’t envisage us being beaten at home this year.”
Fen Tigers’ promoter Kevin Jolly believes they can preserve their unbeaten home record for the remainder of the season after a comprehensive victory over Birmingham on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Poultec Challenge, Sat July 29 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds August 16 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH – “We need Steve to be firing all cylinders on Thursday because it’ll be a tough one against Belle Vue.”
Devils’ co-promoter Mark Phillips hopes No.1 Steve Boxall can enjoy a strong return from injury after being passed fit for their clash with Belle Vue on Thursday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, National League, Thurs July 20 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Buxton, National League, Sun July 30 (3pm)
STOKE – “Based on what this tie has produced, the replays should be cracking affairs.”
Potters’ boss Malcolm Vasey told Speedway Star he is expecting more fireworks in the Knockout Cup replay with Mildenhall.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Knockout Cup, Sun July 30 (time TBC)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds July 19 (7.30)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP clubs have a second big date in the space of three weeks coming up at Peterborough early next month.
Hot on the heels of the Pairs, attention switches to the Championship Fours at the East of England Arena on Sunday August 6.
Line-ups will be confirmed in the near future for one of the most popular events of the season, with the attendance history proving it is a firm favourite amongst supporters.
The Fours this year reverts to being a one-day event after last year’s successful two-day Weekend format, with stadium availability a key factor in that decision.
Of the current Championship clubs, Edinburgh have enjoyed the most success in recent years when the event was run at Premier League level.
The Monarchs triumphed in both 2013 and 2015 and will be seeking a third success, with the other two most recent winners no longer involved.
2016 victors Plymouth are now a National League club whilst Somerset, who triumphed in 2014 and were runners-up the following year, moved up to the top-flight last winter.
Ipswich and Berwick have also tasted Fours success since 2011, whilst Workington were statistically the most successful club in the competition during the Premier League era, with five victories (all between 2001 and 2009) and five other rostrum finishes. BSPA vice-chairman Rob Godfrey said: “It’s been well documented that the Championship Pairs line-up was regarded as the best of the modern era so I’m sure the Fours will be the same.
“It’s traditionally a great day out at Peterborough and it always pulls in a big crowd.
“Last year Plymouth won it and they were very much the underdogs. It surely gives hope to every team to go to Peterborough with a positive attitude and know they have a chance of winning the title.
“I’m sure there will be coaches, minibuses and cars making their way to the East of England Arena for the occasion which always has a festival-type atmosphere.
“It’s going to be a great day and personally I can’t wait.”
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 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 7pm
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
THURSDAY JULY 27:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Poole 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 28:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Wolverhampton 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Birmingham 8pm
EAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester v Coventry 7.30
INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE: Edinburgh v Buxton 7.30
SUMMER SPECTACULAR: Plymouth 7.15
SATURDAY JULY 29:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Glasgow 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Isle of Wight 7.30
CHALLENGE: Mildenhall v Poultec Select 7.30
SUNDAY JULY 30:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Ipswich 3pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 1st leg: Stoke v Mildenhall (time TBC)
MONDAY JULY 31:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Somerset 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Cradley 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 1:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Swindon 7.30, Poole v Belle Vue 7.30,
