BRITISH SPEEDWAY JULY 29

Date: Thursday July 29, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE completed the double over Leicester with an impressive 52-38 Championship win at Wimborne Road.
The Pirates’ heat-leaders were in dominant form with skipper Danny King (14) dropping his only point to Ryan Douglas in his first ride – whilst Steve Worrall and Rory Schlein both won three races on their way to scores of 11 and 10 respectively.
Lions captain Kyle Howarth top-scored with 9+1 but the reigning champions rarely threatened to salvage a league point.
King said: “I have said it before but make no apology for repeating it, but it is so good to see how the whole team is bouncing off each other. Everything is flowing just fine right now.
“That’s not to say we were really struggling before, but things are a lot better all-round now and we are all looking forward to the Northern tour next week.
“It is great to be having more regular racing and it is through having race meetings that keeps you sharp.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was very much the same story as when we lost on Saturday night, and they were jumping out of the starts and beating us.
“I thought we were getting bullied in the first corner as well, and we had a wee chat during the second track grade where I was fairly blunt!
“Whether they got off to a very good start or we got off to a really bad one I’m not sure, but we did get a response, we showed some fight so the riders deserve credit for that – but only having three heat wins shouldn’t be happening with the team we’ve got.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins is desperate to avoid repeating a “terrible result” when they host King’s Lynn at Foxhall tonight (Thursday).
Whilst the Witches have won twice at the Adrian Flux Arena this season, their Premiership play-off hopes were severely dented by a shock home defeat on the Stars’ last visit.
Ipswich welcome Anders Rowe back from injury but Jason Crump is still out, and is replaced by Rory Schlein. The Stars are at full strength with Cameron Heeps returning against the side with whom he started the season.
Hawkins said: “We can’t be losing at home again this season so in that respect we need a win regardless of the occasion.
“Obviously, it was a terrible result when they won at our place earlier on in the year and we need to put that right.
“It will be another tough meeting as they go well at our place, and they are starting to move into a bit of form. We are going to have to perform well, and I’m pleased to have our 1-7 back.”
King’s Lynn boss Alex Brady said: “The key now is keeping that belief together and getting some momentum going.
“We need to be going to Ipswich believing we can win. We have won there already this season and that was while we were going through a tough time.
“Without wanting to speak too soon I do feel the tide has turned a little bit and we are certainly looking forward to the rest of the season together, doing our best to move forward as a team.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BELLE Vue have once again booked Jack Smith to stand in at No.1 in tonight’s (Thursday) NDL clash with Leicester in Manchester.
Smith impressed for the Colts as a replacement for the injured Benji Compton when they edged out Eastbourne last week.
Reserve Sam McGurk returns after crashing out against the Seagulls, whilst the Lion Cubs are at full strength and welcome back captain Joe Lawlor after his Covid isolation.
Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “Sam was quite a bit sore and bruised after his crash last week, but he’s well rested now and we are satisfied that he is fit enough to get back on the bike for us on Thursday.
“This will be one of our biggest tests so far. Leicester are a very good team who are in good form at the moment, and have been performing well away from home.
“We are quietly confident of a good result, but we always treat every opponent with respect because they are just as capable of coming here and pulling off a win.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

EASTBOURNE have promoted youngster Nathan Ablitt to their Championship side with Jason Edwards standing down.
Ablitt is set to make his official Eagles debut in Saturday’s home match against Plymouth, whilst Edwards is to focus on his National Development League racing for the immediate future.
Manager Trevor Geer said: “We can see that Jason is giving 100 per cent as always but he really needs to rebuild shattered confidence.
“We have discussed with Jason that the best way to do this is to have a break and focus on the NDL for a few months.
“Nathan on the other hand has confidence from some NDL action and will come in to replace Jason.
“We have seen him riding since he was a little kid at Arlington and I believe he has one hell of a future. We put him in at Scunthorpe and he wasn’t afraid of who he was racing and was on the pace.”

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(SPEEDWAY 5)

PAUL Hurry has quit his position in the Kent team following Tuesday’s home defeat to Poole.
The 46-year-old made his comeback to Championship racing this year but has struggled for points with the Kings.
He said: “Following several attempts by myself to overcome some of my old injury problems that affect my ability to race, I have today decided to step down from the Kings team in order that the club can improve their performances. 
“In spite of not doing as well as I had hoped, I have enjoyed being part of what I consider to be one of the greatest clubs in the league. I thank you all for your support.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

BIRMINGHAM promoter David Mason has expressed grave concerns over the club’s future after a difficult return from Covid restrictions.
The Brummies were severely limited after the re-opening, and last night’s clash with Plymouth was postponed due to the threat of thunderstorms.
Now Mason says next Wednesday’s home meeting against Kent is make-or-break.
He said: “The restrictions have dramatically affected the finances of the business and we are losing significant amounts money every time we open our doors.
“Next Wednesday is one last chance for the people of Birmingham and surrounding areas to show they want speedway at Perry Barr.”

 (FIXTURES)

THURSDAY JULY 29:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30

FRIDAY JULY 30:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Kent 7.30, Scunthorpe v Poole 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Birmingham 7.30, Glasgow v Berwick 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 31:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Plymouth 7.30, Leicester v Birmingham 7pm
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Berwick 4pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Armadale 3pm