SPEEDWAY POSTPONEMENT - SATURDAY AUGUST 19:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 2nd leg
Stoke v Mildenhall - OFF
(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain captain Craig Cook is on the verge of securing a place in the 2018 Grand Prix series.
The Belle Vue and Workington star recovered from a last place in his first ride to notch eleven points in Saturday’s GP Challenge at Russian venue Togliatti.
Cook finished fourth overall, behind Artem Laguta, Przemyslaw Pawlicki and Patryk Dudek, who took the three automatic qualification places.
But Cook will join them if Dudek, already a GP rider, finishes in the top eight of this year’s series – and with five rounds remaining, the Pole holds a comfortable 25-point margin over ninth-placed Antonio Lindback.
Cook’s Belle Vue manager Mark Lemon said: “We couldn’t be prouder to hear of Craig’s exploits in Russia, and with the way Patryk Dudek is riding, it’s hard for me to believe that he won’t be in the Grand Prix next year.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
DREW Kemp and Leon Flint were confirmed as British Youth Champions in Saturday’s seventh round at Glasgow.
Kemp clinched the 500cc title with victory over Liam Little in Heat 1, whilst Flint – a former 150cc champion – has now secured back-to-back 250cc titles, ensuring he would be uncatchable by winning his third ride.
Both riders will be presented with their trophies after the final round at Leicester next month, with the date set for Sunday September 17 after the meeting was abandoned earlier in the season. This event will feature 500cc and 250cc riders only.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BELLE Vue raced to their seventh away win of the season with a 50-40 victory at Leicester on Saturday.
The Aces moved to within two points of SGB Premiership leaders Swindon, and now hold a 20-point advantage of the teams outside the play-off places.
The visitors controlled proceedings at Beaumont Park, taking the lead with a 5-1 in Heat 3 and opening the margin to ten points with three races to go.
Lasse Bjerre and Kim Nilsson gave the Lions hope with a 5-1 in Heat 13 but a stunning ride by Dan Bewley saw him secure victory in Heat 14, and guest Scott Nicholls teamed up with Kenneth Bjerre for a 4-2 in the last race to ensure all four league points.
Nicholls scored 14+1 as he lined up for his former club, and Bjerre added 13, whilst Erik Riss was top-scorer for the Lions (12) who were limited to just three race wins.
Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “At this stage of the year, you can’t be anything but delighted with results like this. The boys did a solid job and both Scott Nicholls and Paul Starke put in their shift.
“Everyone chipped in and did their bit, and though Leicester kept us honest all night we proved once again our potential as play off contenders; Dan Bewley’s performance was out of this world!
“We still can’t be sure our place in the top four is guaranteed, even at this stage, so it’s really encouraging to see the guys doubling their efforts to give us the best chance of doing that.”
Nilsson said: “I think Belle Vue were a really strong team tonight, and they had a good guest in Scotty.
“All the guys could take a rider replacement ride for Cookie (Craig Cook) as well, so they were a tough team to come up against tonight.
“I think we performed pretty well and all tried our best, but it’s just a shame we lost in the end.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
IPSWICH demonstrated their SGB Championship play-off potential with a thumping 51-39 away win at Workington on Saturday.
The Witches were successful on the road for the fifth time this season, winning at a venue where they had suffered one of their worst results of the campaign on their previous visit.
Danny King notched a four-ride paid maximum (11+1) for the visitors whilst Rory Schlein top-scored on 12+1. Guest Josh Grajczonek (11) and Ty Proctor (10) scored double-figures for the Comets, who were beaten at home for the third time.
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I am delighted with the performance and a four-point win is a brilliant performance with all six riders contributing heavily.
“We didn’t have a very good performance there earlier in the year and it always a tough place to go. The night away together even though Edinburgh was called off has helped.
“We had some good team bonding, going for a meal on Friday night and everyone had a great laugh and it all rolled into Saturday night’s win. The team spirit is the best it has been for a little while and we have had a great weekend together.”
Meanwhile Nick Morris achieved a Berwick milestone in their 48-42 win over Scunthorpe at Shielfield Park.
Morris scored 17+1 from six rides to become the first Bandits rider in nearly three years to score a maximum.
Morris received good support from Jye Etheridge (10+1) and Kevin Doolan (10), whilst the Scorpions collected a league point thanks to a 3-3 in the last race from top-scorers Lewis Kerr (11+2) and Josh Auty (11+1).
Berwick boss Gary Havelock said: “I think the season should have started in August, because if it had we'd be flying up the league table now!
“But that's not how it works - but at least the standard of racing has continued to be of the best, as again this win over Scunthorpe was a fantastic match to watch with brilliant racing all the way.”
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It was nip-and-tuck all the way, and we just lost out at the end.
“Both teams had rider-replacement, and it worked out a little bit better for Bandits than it did for us. Nick Morris was in superb form for them.
“Our riders were battling and passing throughout the meeting, and put in a good effort.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SHEFFIELD are looking to take their winning run into double figures when they host Edinburgh at Owlerton today (Sunday, 3pm).
The Tigers have won their last nine SGB Championship matches, taking a maximum of 31 points available to surge to the top of the table.
The hosts will be at full strength as number one Josh Grajczonek is back to face a Monarchs side that will be boosted by the awaited return of Mark Riss. Ty Proctor guests at number one for the visitors in place of the injured Sam Masters.
Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “With the form we’re in at the minute we’re going out to win everything and feel like we’re good enough to win anywhere and everywhere.
“The lads have that winning mentality and we are boosted by having Lasse (Bjerre) back now. It is nice not to need rider-replacement, it makes us stronger but we have to do our part and keep things going.
“Edinburgh have some lads who ride Owlerton very well, we can’t take anything for granted and need to concentrate on our own form and no-one else’s.”
Meanwhile Glasgow chiefs believe their trip to Newcastle has taken on even more importance as they look to recover from a disappointing defeat at Redcar on Thursday.
The Ashfield relinquished an eight-point lead on Teesside, leaving with just one league point to add to their total, putting them seven behind second-placed Ipswich albeit with five matches in hand.
Glasgow boss Stewart Dickson said: “Before the two away matches I fancied Redcar as the easier of the two. I think everybody probably thought that deep down.
“Newcastle are a bit of a tougher nut to crack, especially around their own patch. It was important before, but Thursday's defeat does add a bit more significance.
“But I'm under no illusions as to how tough it's going to be. It's a biggie and we'll have a big support down there, because we don't have a home weekend match.
“We need to try and get a win on Tyneside, it won't be easy but in every away match we've got to try and get points.”
Scunthorpe have been boosted by the availability of Tero Aarnio for their home clash with Peterborough at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Aarnio was withdrawn from Saturday’s match at Berwick with a suspected broken metatarsal, but he now appears to have escaped without any broken bones.
The hosts continue to operate rider-replacement for the injured Jake Allen, whilst the Panthers bring in ex-Scorpion Thomas Jorgensen to guest for Chris Harris, who is competing in the World Longtrack Championship.
Captain Ulrich Ostergaard, Bradley Wilson-Dean and Tom Bacon are all back after recent injuries but Jack Holder is racing in Poland and is replaced by Connor Coles.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The 3-3 in Heat 15 (at Berwick) got us a point, which takes us just that little bit closer to both Workington and Newcastle in the league table.
“We’re definitely up for taking the three points from the home meeting against Peterborough, to reduce that gap further.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Thomas Jorgensen back at the Eddie Wright Raceway, even if it’s as a guest for the away team. He’ll always be welcome here.”
Panthers boss Carl Johnson said: “We’re looking to put the disappointment of our recent Northern tour behind us.
“We’ve had success at Scunthorpe already this season and we’re hopeful we can pick up another result.
“We obviously have a couple of big riders missing, but we’re still more than capable of getting a win to keep out very slim play-off hopes alive.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
BIRMINGHAM continue their busy run of fixtures when they head to Buxton today (Sunday) - and boss Graham Drury says nothing less than a win will do.
The Brummies endured a frustrating night on Friday as they went down 55-35 at league leaders Belle Vue, but remain in fourth place in the National League table.
And with an away clash at Midland rivals, and fellow play-off contenders, Cradley on Monday too, Drury insists it's imperative his side return to winning ways
The Brummies bring in Kyle Bickley to guest for Tom Bacon (SGBC commitment) and operate rider-replacement for David Mason, whilst Tony Atkin guests for Max Clegg for the hosts.
Drury said: “Of course a lot of people are building up to the away meeting at Cradley on Monday, but we want to be going there full of confidence and a good win at Buxton would certainly help get a bit of momentum going again.
“Buxton may be propping up the rest of the league right now, but we certainly won't be taking anything for granted.
“Their track is a complete contrast to the Belle Vue one we raced at on Friday so the lads need to go out and show how quickly they can adapt.”
Meanwhile Lakeside boss Kelvin Tatum has urged his side to “find that little bit extra” as they head to Mildenhall.
The Hammers fell agonisingly short of an away victory at Kent last Monday, eventually going down 45-44 at Central Park – but they remain third in the table, whilst the Fen Tigers are amongst the chasing pack.
Lakeside have drafted in Jake Knight and Luke Priest as guests for Zach Watjtknecht (injured) and Alfie Bowtell (SGBC commitment).
Tatum said: “We’ve got to believe we can go there and get a result. We’ve come extremely close on a number of occasions away from home, and we’ll go there with a positive attitude hoping to find that little bit extra to get a win.
“We’ve got a couple of guests in so we aren’t quite at full strength, but we’ve got to make sure we come away with at least a point and hopefully more.”
(SPEEDWAY 7)
WOLVERHAMPTON have confirmed Mark Riss will return to their side for Wednesday’s double-header at King’s Lynn.
Riss has been on the sidelines for the last two months with the Monmore men brining in Ellis Perks as an injury replacement, but the German has come through practice sessions and is now ready for his comeback.
Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “First for foremost I want to thank Ellis who has been a delight to deal with.
“He’s got talent and I believe some of the criticism of him on social media has been very unfair. He’s been riding in a very difficult position in the team and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again.
“Mark feels ready to return and obviously we’ve missed him so it will be good to have him back. Hopefully he will give us that little bit more strength lower down the order at a crucial time of the season.”
(FIXTURES)
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
Results Saturday August 19, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
Leicester 40 – Erik Riss 12
Belle Vue 50 – Scott Nicholls 14+1
Premiership points: Leicester 0 Belle Vue 4
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
Berwick 48 – Nick Morris 17+1
Scunthorpe 42 – Lewis Kerr 11+2
Championship points: Berwick 3 Scunthorpe 1
Workington 39 – Josh Grajczonek 11
Ipswich 51 – Rory Schlein 12+1
Championship points: Workington 0 Ipswich 4
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP REPLAY 2nd leg
Stoke v Mildenhall – OFF
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 7, Glasgow
1 Drew Kemp (Now British Champion)
2 Liam Little
(2 riders only)
250cc
1 Leon Flint (Now British Champion)
2 Jason Edwards
3 Joe Thompson
125cc
1 Harry McGurk
2 Corban Pavitt
3 Luke Harrison
