(SPEEDWAY 1)

SOMERSET have sourced track covers ahead of the prestigious Championship Pairs event on Friday.
The Oaktree Arena club have a proud record in staging the event which is timed perfectly for fans making the trip to Cardiff for the Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix on Saturday.
With some rain forecast on the day, the covers will be in place should they be required as fans throughout the country head to one of the best race tracks.
British Speedway vice-chairman Rob Godfrey said: "We are delighted with this move, it gives us the best possible opportunity to provide good racing conditions which a meeting like this deserves.
"The line-up is probably the best we have ever had in this meeting and we feel sure it will be a memorable occasion."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SWINDON’S stunning week continued with a 56-36 demolition of Poole at Wimborne Road.
The Robins made it four SGB Premiership wins in the space of seven days to further enhance their play-off chances, whilst the Pirates were unable to back up their recent successes on the road.
And angry promoter Matt Ford indicated changes are expected from the Dorset side after they suffered a fourth home defeat of the campaign.
David Bellego again starred for the Robins with 13+1 in a complete team performance which also saw Nick Morris scored 10+2 as they ran just two last places across the fifteen races.
Poole were also limited to four heat wins, with Hans Andersen topping their scorechart on 10.
Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “Everyone was on it and we were in control from Heat 1. For the first time in all the years of going down to Poole, we never looked in trouble.
“I did not feel nervous at any stage of the meeting but we were still focused to make sure we continued to do the right things and stayed on top of track conditions.
"We were in complete control all night and I cannot speak highly enough of the boys, everyone down to Zach Wajtknecht who beat Poole riders from the main body of the team.”
Ford said: “There really can be no excuses for this level of performance. We should be a much better side than we demonstrated this evening and all I can say about this is that there will be further changes being made within the week.
“With our very poor run at home of late it has undone all the good work that we have achieved on the road and that is bitterly disappointing.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BELLE Vue closed to within one point of National League leaders Eastbourne with a 56-34 win over Cradley in Manchester.
Dan Bewley cruised to a 15-point maximum for the Colts and set a new NL track record at the National Speedway Stadium.
Rob Shuttleworth added 12 and Jack Smith 11 for the home side, whilst Danny Ayres picked up 12 for the Heathens.
Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “When this team is firing on all cylinders, and all at the same time, it’s going to be difficult for any team to come here and land a significant blow against them.
“Every match starts at nil-nil so it’s not like we’re not giving others a chance. Our boys are just so strong and so consistent around this track that they regularly put in very convincing performances.
“Kent pushed us hard last week and Cradley pushed us even harder this week. They have some strong riders in their side so we weren’t complacent about their challenge. We were just stronger.”
Heathens manager Will Pottinger said: “It was just as tough as we expected. Belle Vue are a very strong side who are excellent at home as we saw tonight.
“There was some good racing at times, and the races between Danny Ayres and Dan Bewley in heats 13 and 15 in particular were top draw.
“It wasn’t through lack of effort, we were just beaten by the better team on the night unfortunately and we’ll have to refocus to try and get back to winnings ways on Monday.”
The result saw Cradley drop out of the top four, replaced by local rivals Birmingham after a 51-39 win over Stoke at Perry Barr.
Potters No.1 Mitchell Davey scored a 15-point maximum but lacked sufficient support from his team-mates as the Brummies gave a strong all-round display.
Reserve Taylor Hampshire impressed again with 11+2 despite a mechanical failure in Heat 2, whilst Jack Parkinson-Blackburn added 10.
Birmingham boss Graham Drury said: “The main thing tonight was that we added three more points to our tally and the lads went out there and did just that.
“After Heat 1 when Jack had mechanical gremlins and Heat 2 when Taylor packed up while leading the race by a country mile, I did think to myself 'oh I really hope it's not going to be one of those nights.'
"But you couldn't really fault too much after that and while Tom Bacon had some machinery issues once again, you have to feel for him because he and his pit crew are working overtime and right now they're not fully reaping the rewards.”
Stoke co-boss Adam Isherwood said: “Birmingham is always a difficult place to come, they always have a strong side and you have got to keep it on the gas around here. “At one point it looked like we could possibly get something out of the match but things started to unfold for us and on another day, we might have pinched a point but we didn’t.
“A few more points from certain riders and we may just have done it, but I cannot fault the riders for their effort. Birmingham are a strong team and that’s why they have been league champions over the past couple of years.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

WOLVERHAMPTON have signed Ellis Perks on a 28-day contract to replace injury victim Mark Riss.
Riss suffered a hand injury last month and now looks set to be out for longer than the six weeks initially expected.
Club bosses have subsequently moved to plug the gap with the addition of Perks, who was in impressive form for Rye House before controversially losing his team place as part of a wider team reshuffle.
Wolves co-promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “I have memories of Ellis’ talent from his days with the Heathens a couple of years ago.
“He’s been out to impress, and I know he’s been very keen to join us. He was unfortunate to lose his place at Rye House and he’s been having a good season, so we’re pleased to give him a chance to keep that going.
“We’ve seen enough to sign him on a 28-day contract to cover for Mark Riss, who unfortunately has ended up being out of action for longer than we initially expected.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

SWINDON look to keep their dramatic SGB Premiership roll going when they host Rye House at the Abbey tonight (Thursday).
The Robins have just pulled off successive away wins at Belle Vue, Leicester and Poole and would advance to third place with another victory.
But the Rockets are also aware of the significance of the meeting, and the importance of improving their away record as they chase a play-off place.
After the postponement of their match at King’s Lynn on Wednesday, the visitors require three guests for the trip to Wiltshire as Erik Riss, Rohan Tungate and Ben Morley replace Ben Barker, Justin Sedgmen (both SGBC commitments) and Robert Branford (injured).
Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “We are looking to make it 23 points out of 24 and that would make me a happy man going down to Cardiff but the lads will be firmly grounded.
“I think the nature of the win at Poole kept everyone pretty calm but we cannot take our foot off the pedal and we never underestimate anyone. If you do, it is likely you will get bitten.
“Rye House have Rohan Tungate in as a guest and we know what he is capable of if he makes starts. We have to be on guard.”
Rockets boss Peter Schroeck said: “As I originally said about the King’s Lynn match, it is absolutely vital that we get something positive – and not just a consolation point – out of this one. We can’t afford to fall any further behind in the table.
“The Robins are definitely on a roll at the moment, and it's going to be a tough one, but equally we are more than capable of getting the result. We’ve been to Swindon twice already this season, and I’d like to believe that it will be third time lucky.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

IPSWICH return to full strength for an SGB Championship clash with Newcastle tonight (Thursday) which could see them go top of the table.
Justin Sedgmen is back from concussion for the Witches whilst Kyle Newman has been passed fit despite a heavy crash when racing for Leicester on Monday.
And boss Ritchie Hawkins says his side are building momentum throughout the season as they look to hit top form in time for the play-offs.
Newcastle operate rider-replacement for Ludvig Lindgren (compassionate leave) whilst Kevin Doolan and Jack Thomas guest for injured duo Lewis Rose and Alfie Bowtell.
Hawkins said: “We need to make sure we get another three points. Newcastle have a strong top end which means they are capable of running us or anyone close. They ran Edinburgh close last week but it is a case of carrying on what we have been doing really. We are very confident at home though.
“We need to improve but there is certainly massive potential there and we have shown it at times. We are doing enough at the moment to win and be near the top but we will have to improve.
“Everyone’s confidence is building and we are going in the right direction, so we need to carry on what we are doing.”
Fourth-placed Sheffield look to enhance their own position but will be without two riders due to injury when they host Workington at Owlerton.
Kyle Howarth was concussed when he crashed at Wolverhampton on Monday, and he joins Josh Bates on the sidelines, with Ryan Douglas booked to guest – whilst new reserves Jan Graversen and Georgie Wood make their debuts.
The Comets bring in Tom Perry to guest for the injured James Sarjeant and are looking for a second away win in a week after their success at Newcastle on Monday.
Sheffield star Lasse Bjerre said: “All the boys have been improving at Sheffield, so we’ve got to keep doing our thing and keep scoring the points we need to.
“We’re in good shape, and we’ll have to keep that going with another win against Workington.”
Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “We would like to thank Glasgow and Tom for helping us out for our visit to Sheffield where hopefully we can provide the perfect follow-up to our win at Newcastle.
“Obviously we wish Kyle, who is still a Comets asset, a speedy recovery following his crash but this, coupled with Josh Bates’s absence and a home debut for their new reserve pairing means that it could be a good time to visit the Tigers - just as it was when they visited us two weeks ago when we were without Cookie (Craig Cook).”
Meanwhile the two sides just outside the play-off places meet as Redcar host Peterborough at the Media Prima Arena.
It is the third league clash between the sides in a fortnight, and a fixture that the Panthers have dominated in the past.
On this occasion, Redcar have Tobias Busch returning from long-term injury at reserve – whilst the Panthers are confident over their guest bookings of Richie Worrall and Nike Lunna to replace SGBP duo Chris Harris and Bradley Wilson-Dean.
Bears manager Jitendra Duffill said: “This week we welcome back both Jason Garrity and Tobias. Hopefully our luck is changing as a full side will give us the best chance of success this season.”
Panthers boss Carl Johnson said: “We know we can rely on Richie and Nike to ride well at Redcar.
“They are both top performers at the track and have already helped us to wins there this year.
“We're very proud of our 100 per cent record against Redcar and we don't intend letting it go. They are going to be determined to get one over us, but I'm confident we can pick up another result on the road.”

(SPEEDWAY 7)

PLYMOUTH No.1 Steve Boxall has been declared fit to race in tonight’s (Thursday) National League clash with Belle Vue.
Boxall has been struggling with a back injury and club bosses had put Max Clegg on stand-by to guest, but they will be able to track their full line-up at the St Boniface Arena.
The Colts can go top of the table with a win and bring in Luke Priest to guest for Rob Shuttleworth (SGBC commitment).
Supporters in the area ahead of tomorrow’s SGB Championship Pairs and Saturday’s British Grand Prix at Cardiff can obtain a free programme by showing their GP tickets.
Plymouth co-promoter Mark Phillips said: “Steve made a big effort to get himself sorted and I went to see him on Tuesday morning and basically gave him a fitness test of my own so he could prove he was fit.
“We need Steve to be firing on all cylinders on Thursday as it will be a tough one against Belle Vue, but I was happy at his fitness so we have had to tell Max he is now not needed, but thank him for accepting this and being willing to ride for us and if we can use him on another occasion we will.”
Colts star Jack Smith said: “Obviously the target is to come away with at least a point but with our form on the road I think we are capable of targeting much more than just a single consolation point.
“We will be a couple of guys down on the night. Lee [Payne] is still injured and Rob is riding for Workington but I don’t believe that de-values the team’s chances of success.
“We’ve got a good guest in Luke Priest and R/R at No.2 means we have plenty of options. Myself, Dan [Bewley] and Kyle [Bickley] all had a good night in the U-19 so for me, it’s wide open.”
Meanwhile the Isle of Wight stage their now-annual ‘Slide in Ryde’ Best Pairs tournament sponsored by Cobra’s Garage Mahal.
Each of the six competing pairs have attracted sponsorship with the Warriors regulars being joined by the likes of Josh Bailey, Kelsey Dugard and Matt Bates.
Co-promoter Barry Bishop said: “We are absolutely thrilled to stage this meeting again. It is one I have been looking forward to since the start of the season and to have Steve Luxton, one our main club sponsors, here from his base in the USA is the icing on the cake.
“Steve has been unfailing in his support of the Warriors, the Warrior Way and what we do to make race night fun, affordable and inclusive for everyone.
“When I spoke to the riders after last week’s super win, they all appreciated the significance of this meeting for the club and were truly ‘up for it.’ In addition we have one or two surprises for the fans that will add to the show. It’s going to be a great night.”

(FIXTURES)

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

Results Wednesday July 19, 2017

SGB PREMIERSHIP
King’s Lynn v Rye House - OFF

Poole 36 (Hans Andersen 10)
Swindon 56 (David Bellego 13+1)
SGB Premiership points: Poole 0 Swindon 4

TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Belle Vue 56 (Dan Bewley 15)
Cradley 34 (Danny Ayres 12)
National League points: Belle Vue 3 Cradley 0

Birmingham 51 (Taylor Hampshire 11+2)
Stoke 39 (Mitchell Davey 15)
National League points: Birmingham 3 Stoke 0