BRITISH SPEEDWAY SOLOS JULY 3
Date: Saturday July 3, 2021
(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE have signed Czech Republic racer Ondrej Smetana as a replacement for the released Zane Keleher.
Smetana will make his Championship debut with the Pirates after a proposed move to Newcastle in 2020 fell through following the pandemic.
Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “I am delighted that Ondrej has accepted the chance to join Poole and that our redeclaration has been approved.
“Right now, though, we are currently trying to ensure that he can get clearance to travel to the UK in time for our next meeting on July 13, when we visit Plymouth.
“In Ondrej, I feel that we have a rider very much in form and with plenty to offer, and I welcome him to Poole where he will begin his British career.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EASTBOURNE gave their Championship season a massive boost with a shock 47-43 win at Redcar on Friday.
The Eagles led all the way after opening with a 5-1, and actually enjoyed a 12-point advantage at the halfway stage before holding firm during a fierce fightback by the Bears.
Reserve Drew Kemp top-scored for the visitors with 10+2 and Kyle Newman impressed with 9+2. Michael Palm Toft collected 13+2 for the hosts with Charles Wright on 10+1.
Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: “Right from the word go, we had them. It rained before the meeting, and it certainly suited us more than Redcar.
“You could see their heads go down and they had a few falls. They were struggling with it, and we just kept at it.
“We have lost a few on the road this year which we should have won. Now, I think we will surprise a few teams.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE survived a scare from Berwick before registering a 47-43 victory to make it six successive home wins.
The Scorpions trailed with four races remaining but hit back with two 4-2s and a Heat 14 5-1 from Jordan Palin and Tero Aarnio, with the Bandits doing enough for a league point in the last race.
Aarnio top-scored for the home side with 11+1 as they moved to within two points of leaders Glasgow, whose match with Plymouth was postponed. Dany Gappmaier also scored 11+1 for the Bandits.
Aarnio said: “For myself, I had a good night. As a team, we struggled a bit at times, but we pulled together and got the win.
“We’re not a top-heavy team. When we win meetings, it tends to be through us all chipping in and points being scored throughout the team. We’re all capable of scoring points.”
Berwick boss Gary Flint said: “We have had some great matches on the road this year due to the guys really putting the work and effort in to make these home sides work very hard for their wins, so we can’t knock the huge effort these Bandits are bringing to the game.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
TEENAGERS Jake Mulford and Dan Gilkes both scored brilliant maximums to inspire Kent to a 50-39 NDL win at Belle Vue.
Gilkes completed a five-ride paid maximum (14+1) whilst Mulford swept to an incredible 19+2 from seven rides at reserve – with skipper Ryan Kinsley adding 12 as the visiting trio dominated. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn scored 10 for the Colts.
And Kent promoter Len Silver has confirmed Mulford’s form will be rewarded with additional opportunities for the club at senior level.
He said: “Chris (Hunt) and I are now convinced that we must give every possible opportunity for Jake to make his way into the Kings side.
“He scored a maximum at Manchester, winning races from the back as well as from the gate.
“I know you will approve our decision to give him at least three of the four rider-replacement rides against Eastbourne in the KO Cup on Tuesday. We both feel we have faith in Jake’s future.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
BERWICK will once again operate rider-replacement for Coty Garcia when they host Newcastle in the Championship tonight (Saturday).
The Bandits’ signing of Kasper Andersen has been delayed as he has Danish commitments this weekend.
Ben Barker makes his return from injury for the Diamonds, who continue to operate rider-replacement for the injured Adam Roynon.
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY JULY 3:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm, Leicester v Kent OFF
SUNDAY JULY 4:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Glasgow 3pm, Newcastle v Scunthorpe 4pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Berwick 3pm
MONDAY JULY 5:
PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v Sheffield 7.30
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN