BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 4

Date: Wednesday August 4, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

THE line-up has been announced for the British Under-19 Final at Mildenhall on Sunday August 22.
Double champion Drew Kemp will going for a hat-trick of titles in his final year at this level, and the meeting includes fellow Premiership regulars Anders Rowe, Leon Flint and Jordan Palin.
Home representation for the Fen Tigers comes from Jason Edwards and Sam Hagon.
LINE-UP (Not in draw order): Nathan Ablitt, Connor Bailey, Kyle Bickley, Jason Edwards, Leon Flint, Archie Freeman, Dan Gilkes, Sam Hagon, Drew Kemp, Harry McGurk, Sam McGurk, Jake Mulford, Jordan Palin, Anders Rowe, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson. Reserves: Ben Trigger, Elliot Kelly.

(SPEEDWAY 2)

KING’S LYNN have made a double team change ahead of Thursday’s Premiership trip to local rivals Peterborough.
The Stars have brought in British Finalist Ben Barker and club asset Kasper Andersen as they re-shuffle their lower order following the home defeat against Sheffield on Monday, with Cameron Heeps and Ricky Wells making way.
They said: “Both riders have struggled for points around the Adrian Flux Arena, and the club have also been mindful of the fact that the transfer deadline is approaching later this month.
“Moving at this time means Heeps and Wells will be available to other Premiership sides in a reasonable timeframe should they be of interest.
“Andersen is a King’s Lynn asset who has been unfortunate in previous spells with the club in 2018/19, but he has already shown several encouraging signs in his Championship racing for Berwick – and the Dane now has three home meetings to show he can get to grips with the Adrian Flux Arena.
“The much-travelled Barker is a vocal character in the pits and a provider of 100 per cent effort on track, and is currently picking up points for Newcastle after a delayed start to the season due to injury.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

EASTBOURNE gave their Championship play-off hopes a big boost with a 47-43 win at Kent.
The Eagles came out on top in an intense battle at Central Park, clinching victory with a 5-1 from Tom Brennan and Drew Kemp in Heat 14.
Skipper Lewis Kerr won his first three rides and top-scored with 11+1 in a solid Eastbourne display, whilst Scott Nicholls (13+1) and Paul Starke (13) led the way for the Kings with Troy Batchelor picking up 7 on his debut.
Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: “What a great night. It doesn’t matter which club you are, away wins are few and far between, but tonight we pulled it off and it’s a fantastic feeling.
“I thought it might be tough meeting, especially after Kent had strengthened, but all the boys rode well tonight, from 1-7, and they all deserve credit for what they have achieved.”
Nicholls said: “Of course I’m bitterly disappointed that we lost but from an entertainment point of view, the paying public had some great racing to see. 
“For Troy it was always going to be difficult as this was the first time he’d seen the track. His performance and Cameron’s (Heeps) determination to improve means we can take the positives out of this and go again at Birmingham tomorrow.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

PLYMOUTH pulled off their best result since returning to Championship level by defeating in-form Edinburgh 50-40.
The Gladiators came back from an early four-point deficit and finished with two 5-1s, both involving Zane Keleher who has proved to be a major success since signing for the Coliseum club.
Bjarne Pedersen scored 13+1 for the home side with Keleher adding 10+2 and Jason Edwards – having been confirmed as Plymouth’s latest Rising Star recruit – notched 4+1. Richie Worrall scored 10+1 for the Monarchs, who missed out on a league point.
Edwards said: “I’m really pleased to be at Plymouth. It’s a track I’ve ridden quite a lot and I just need to be getting as many meetings as possible.
“Just to be next to Jason (Crump) in the pits and picking up little tips from him is invaluable and builds on the work I’ve been doing with the GB Academy.”
Monarchs star Kye Thomson (7) said: “It was pretty difficult – we held on for a long time, but it ended up getting away and it was their night.
“In my first one I thought there was going to be a crash so that caused me to come off, but I finished strong personally, it’s just a shame we couldn’t at least get a point.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BIRMINGHAM are facing up to their biggest meeting in recent years tonight (Wednesday) as the future of the club hangs in the balance.
The Brummies host Kent in the Championship with club owners David and Peter Mason warning they need a significant uptick in crowd levels after suffering heavy financial losses in meeting staged before the easing of Covid restrictions.
Manager Laurence Rogers said: “We’ve lost a lot of the older generation because of the restrictions which were in place when we started the season, and we need them back.
“We also now need to see an upturn in the numbers of younger people coming to the sport, and to that end we can confirm free admission for children 11 and under.
“The owners are facing up to a really difficult decision, the last thing they want to do is close the club but the losses cannot continue.
“Kent have a very attractive side now they have signed Troy Batchelor and when you put him alongside Scott (Nicholls) we’re sure to be in for some great racing.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

POOLE kick off a busy week with a home clash against Edinburgh tonight (Wednesday) ahead of their upcoming Northern tour.
Former Pirates Sam Masters and Richie Worrall line up for the Monarchs, whilst the home side bring in Zach Cook to guest for injured brother Ben, and Kyle Bickley stands in at No.2 with new signing Benjamin Basso due in the side from Friday.
Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “I am really looking forward to the match-up between the Worrall boys. Richie was solid for us between 2017 and 2019 and I know that Steve will be happy if he can emulate what Richie did for us.
“He has been awesome so far this season and seems to have his sights set on trying to wrestle the number one jacket from Rory (Schlein).”
 
THURSDAY AUGUST 5:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30, Peterborough v King’s Lynn 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 6:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Poole 7.30, Glasgow v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Poole 7pm, Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30, Leicester v Edinburgh 7pm