PIC OF THE WEEK...
Cradley’s maximum man Danny Ayres leading in the Heathens 61-29 Travel Plus National League victory against Isle of Wight last week at Perry Barr stadium.
Picture: JOHN HIPKISS
SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “Until we’re completely locked in that top four, we’re not counting our chickens. We’ve got a job to do and it’ll take the heart and soul of these boys to see it through to the end.” Aces’ boss Mark Lemon insists they won’t rest on their laurels as they look to secure their play-off place.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Mon Aug 21 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “Everyone at this level can ride fast around this track, so you can’t rely too much on overtaking and I’ll hopefully be getting quicker out of the starts.” Stars’ new boy Michael Palm Toft believes improved gating holds the key to his success at the Adrian Flux Arena.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Mon Aug 21 (7.30)
LEICESTER – “I’ve got to be pleased because we beat Rye House on Saturday and now we’ve drawn here –we might not be in the play-off race but we’re influencing it!” Lions’ boss Jim Lynch is pleased to see his side having a major impact on the play-off race after holding Somerset to a 42-42 draw on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Sat Aug 19 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
POOLE – “Looking back, I am glad I hung up the boots for the year when I did." Frustrated but realistic, Nicolai Klindt on his season-ending knee ligament injuries. Read more on Klindt's hopes for 2018 in Poole's official programme on Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Rye House, Premiership, Mon Aug 28 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “We didn’t feel that Bomber (Chris Harris) had done anything wrong; he simply rode his own line, but it would seem he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Rockets’ team manager Peter Schroeck admitted he disagreed with the heat 15 call which cost his side victory in a late thriller at Leicester on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri Aug 25 (7.30)
SOMERSET – “We’ve got other matches, and we’ve taken a point which is better than nothing, so we’ll just carry on battling.” Rebels’ boss Garry May insists they won’t give up their play-off hopes despite being held to a draw at home to Leicester on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Fri Aug 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
SWINDON – “We’ve had a bit of a break now to give everyone time to refresh, and now we’ll just get back to work and try to keep our run going.” Robins’ boss Alun Rossiter hopes to maintain their winning run as they return to action against Somerset this week.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri Aug 18 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – “Everyone got stuck in, but sometimes you’ve just got to take it on the chin and accept it wasn’t quite your night.” Rory Schlein admitted Wolves were frustrated by their narrow 45-44 defeat in a last-heat decider at Somerset last week.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Premiership, Mon Aug 28 (6pm)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “It was a really good fight. We showed a lot of grit and determination in the meeting.” Skipper Kevin Doolan hailed the Bandits’ fighting spirit after seeing off Peterborough by a single point at Shielfield Park last week. Read more in this week’s Speedway Star.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sat Aug 19 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Workington, Championship, Sun Aug 27 (7.30)
EDINBURGH – “Theo immediately answered our call for help and did particularly well in our home meetings. He won us a match or two and I'm very grateful for his help.” Monarchs’ boss John Campbell has thanked Theo Pijper for his efforts during a temporary stint with the club as Mark Riss prepares to make his comeback.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Fri Aug 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Sun Aug 20 (3pm)
GLASGOW – “I was going to say Nike is an unsung hero, but he’s winning Mr Entertainer quite a bit, so that sounds like a contradiction.” Tigers’ manager Stewart Dickson hailed Nike Lunna after their derby day win over Edinburgh.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Sat Aug 26 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
IPSWICH – “The reserves set an example of what we expect from a Witch.” Team manager Ritchie Hawkins felt reserve duo Nathan Greaves and Connor Mountain set the example in their narrow win at Scunthorpe on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri Aug 18 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE – “Our strength in depth played out well for the win as we try to ascend the league table.” Diamonds’ boss George English felt their all-around strength was crucial in a hard-fought win over Peterborough.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Sun Aug 20 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sat Aug 26 (7pm)
PETERBOROUGH – “We've all worked very hard for the last three days and things haven't gone our way. I feel for the supporters who gave up their time and money to follow us in all three meetings.” Panthers’ chief Carl Johnson could not hide his frustration after three away defeats in the space of three days.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Wed Aug 30 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship, Sun Aug 20 (5.30)
REDCAR – “Better night tonight, paid nine. Tough loss at home to Sheffield though.” Ellis Perks was frustrated after the Bears saw their play-off hopes dealt a blow with a 49-41 home defeat against Sheffield on Friday.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Sat Sept 2 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE – “It hurts when, after such a good away win at Workington last week, we don’t follow it up at home against Ipswich. But consistency has been our problem all season long.” Scorpions’ manager Dave Peet was left lamenting their lack of consistency after a narrow home defeat at the hands of Ipswich.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sun Aug 20 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat Aug 19 (7pm)
SHEFFIELD – “I’d just like to thank Todd Kurtz for lending me his bike in my last two rides, because I had some clutch problems earlier in the night.” Tigers’ terrier Josh Bates revealed how their team spirit made all the difference as they snatched a 49-41 away win at Redcar.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Championship, Sat Sept 2 (7pm)
WORKINGTON – “We continue to make life difficult for ourselves by giving teams an early advantage.” Comets’ manager Tony Jackson wishes his side would make things easier for themselves despite coming from behind to see off Redcar.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Championship, Sat Aug 19 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS – “We’re proud of it because there’s not many teams who can say that, particularly at this stage of the campaign.” Star man Dan Bewley was delighted to help the Colts maintain their perfect home record with a big win over Plymouth last week.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Fri Aug 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Cradley, National League, Mon Aug 28 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM – “I really do think this could be one of the best meetings of the season.” Brummies’ chief Graham Drury is anticipating fireworks as they host Mildenhall at Perry Barr on Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Cradley, National League, Mon Aug 21 (7.30)
BUXTON – “In my time as Buxton team manager, that goes down as my most disappointing defeat so far.” Team boss Jason Pipe was left furious after their 50-40 home defeat against Stoke on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Sun Aug 20 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun Sept 3 (3pm)
CRADLEY – “It’s also nice to get a warm welcome from the fans as well. I wanted to come and score points to help the team win, and that’s what we’ve done tonight.” Maximum man Richard Hall was delighted with a dream debut against the Isle of Wight last week.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Mon Aug 21 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun Sept 10 (3pm)
EASTBOURNE – “He just said come and ride, enjoy it and do whatever I wanted to do.” Eagles new-boy Charlie Saunders revealed in Speedway Star how club bosses persuaded him to get back on a speedway bike after five years away.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Sat Aug 26 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, National League, Mon Aug 28 (6.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “We are still intent of improving our league position and this week gives us another opportunity to put points on the table. A seven man Warriors team can achieve this and we will be doing our utmost to secure a victory.” Co-promoter Barry Bishop hopes the Warriors can get back to winning ways against Plymouth this week.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Thurs Aug 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sat Aug 26 (7.30)
KENT – Kent prevailed in a last-heat decider to edge a 45-44 win over Lakeside at Central Park on Monday. Jack Thomas bagged 14 points whilst George Hunter came back to haunt his former club with paid 13 at reserve.
NEXT HOME: Wimbledon, Challenge, Mon Aug 21 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Fri Aug 18 (7.15)
LAKESIDE – “We got another point out of it, one that could be very useful in our bid to qualify for the play-offs but there was a win in the offing.” Hammers’ chief Jon Cook felt their 45-44 defeat at Kent on Monday was a missed opportunity.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Fri Aug 25 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun Aug 20 (3pm)
MILDENHALL – “The home record has gone and there is no point mulling over tonight, we need to move forward, regroup and put in a strong performance on Wednesday at Birmingham.” Fen Tigers’ Chairman Kevin Jolly insists his side cannot afford to dwell on their first home defeat of the season against Kent on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League, Sun Aug 20 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds Aug 16 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH – “The lads have hit some good form so we’re looking to maintain our good run.” Devils’ boss Laurence Rogers wants to pile up some more points during a busy few days later this week.
NEXT HOME: Kent, National League, Fri Aug 18 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, National League, Thurs Aug 17 (7.15)
STOKE – “It was an excellent performance by us. We’ve been so close to coming away with points in matches only to just fall short but we felt it was vitally important to get the points.” Experienced ace Luke Priest was delighted to help the Potters earn a 50-40 away win at Buxton.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National League, Sat Aug 19 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun Aug 27 (3pm)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
SHEFFIELD are to host the re-staging of the SGB Championship Pairs after the unfortunate rain-off at Somerset on British Grand Prix weekend.
The event will take place at Owlerton on Sunday October 8 with a start-time of 3pm now set.
The Yorkshire club have a long history of hosting major events and one of the best-ever line-ups for the meeting is expected.
BSPA Chairman Keith Chapman said: “We were all gutted to lose the original staging - the Somerset management did everything in their power to get the meeting on.
“They had track covers brought in and a number of volunteers placed them over the surface. With rain coming down during the day and the forecast set to clear, it looked as if it would be the perfect solution, but a heavy, unexpected downpour at the wrong time proved costly.
"It was disappointing for all of us – but Sheffield are a well-run club with a lot of ambition and after studying the international calendar we feel the event will be well suited to Owlerton Stadium on that Sunday. It should be a great occasion.”
The Pairs is one of several items of silverware to be resolved over the closing weeks of the campaign, in addition to regular league and Cup competitions.
The top riders in each of the three leagues will meet in their individual Championships next month, with the Premiership event taking place at Belle Vue on Saturday September 16.
Meanwhile the Championship and National League meetings take place on the same date, at Glasgow and Leicester respectively on September 24, in a move which boosts rider availability for potential play-off matches.
*GREAT Britain’s Robert Lambert won the inaugural European Under-19 Speedway Cup in the Czech Republic last Saturday.
King’s Lynn and Newcastle star Lambert raced to a maximum from his qualifying heats before taking the Final ahead of Filip Hjelmland, Bartosz Smektala and Michael Hartel.
Meanwhile fellow British rider Nathan Greaves was unfortunate to miss out on qualification, scoring seven points despite suffering a fall in Heat 16 on a tricky Divisov track.
Lambert said: “The track was really bumpy and I twisted my leg twice while riding. I'm back in a lot of pain with that - my leg has never hurt like that while racing.
“However, I am really happy about winning the title and thank you to all for the support and congratulations.”
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017
SGBP PAIRS: KING’S LYNN
BRITISH FINAL: CRAIG COOK
SGBC FOURS: PETERBOROUGH
SGBP RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue, September 16
SGBC RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow, September 24
SGBC PAIRS: Sheffield, October 8
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 AUGUST 16:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30, Rye House v Belle Vue 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Mildenhall 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 17:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Somerset 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7pm
FRIDAY AUGUST 18:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Swindon 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Ipswich 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Birmingham 7.30, Plymouth v Kent 7.15
SATURDAY AUGUST 19:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Belle Vue 8pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Workington v Ipswich 7pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 2nd leg: Stoke v Mildenhall 7pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 7: Glasgow 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 20:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30, Sheffield v Edinburgh 3pm, Scunthorpe v Peterborough 5.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm, Mildenhall v Lakeside 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 21:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Somerset 7.30, Poole v Leicester 7.30, Swindon v King’s Lynn 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Birmingham 7.30
JOHN CEARNS CUP: Kent v Wimbledon 6.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 22:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Belle Vue 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Rye House v Somerset 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 24:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 25:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Mildenhall 8pm
CALEDONIAN RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 26:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Somerset 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Workington 7pm, Glasgow v Newcastle 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30
SUNDAY AUGUST 27:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30, Workington v Berwick 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Stoke 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 28:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Belle Vue 11am, Rye House v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Leicester 4pm, Swindon v Somerset (follows previous fixture), Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 6pm
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 3pm, Scunthorpe v Workington (follows previous fixture)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Belle Vue (follows Wolves fixture), Kent v Eastbourne 3pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Rye House 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Newcastle 7.30
