BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 12

Date: Thursday August 12, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

BIRMINGHAM made it back-to-back home wins by edging out local rivals Leicester 46-44 in a last-heat decider at Perry Barr.
Brummies skipper Chris Harris raced on after a heavy Heat 7 crash, and after winning his next two rides he crucially split Lions duo Nick Morris and Ryan Douglas in Heat 15 with the visitors needing a 5-1 to draw.
Harris scored 10 whilst reserve Paco Castagna contributed a vital 12+1, including defeating Douglas and Kyle Howarth in the re-run of the race where Harris had come to grief.
Morris dropped just one point for the Lions as he finished on 13+1, with the visitors taking one league point from the meeting.
Brummies boss Laurence Rogers said: “We knew we could do it, we knew it was going to be hard, but the determination was there from the boys.
“Chris was the rubber-man again, he bounces back all the time, he gets run over and jumps up – he was in pain, but he just got on with it.
“And Paco was certainly on it. I think he was tired by the end of the night with seven rides but he did his job!”
Morris said: “It was a little frustrating having to settle for just the one point, but tonight was about safety as well.
“At least we came away with something. We were obviously looking for a win, but some of the guys weren’t popping out of the start and then it was race over around here tonight. We’ll keep our heads up and go again.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

WOLVERHAMPTON could become the first team to confirm their Premiership play-off place if they win at Sheffield tonight (Thursday).
Wolves top the table after a run of seven successive victories, and a win at Owlerton would make mathematically sure of a top four finish if bottom club King’s Lynn fail to win their home match against Peterborough.
Sheffield currently hold fourth place and enjoy a far more comfortable overall position after their recent away wins at King’s Lynn and Ipswich.
The Tigers have Stefan Nielsen making his home debut whilst Danyon Hume again replaces the injured Josh Bates at reserve.
Skipper Kyle Howarth said: “We’ve beaten them once around here this season, but they’ve improved since then and I expect it to be really tough and competitive.
“They have a team packed full of talent in every department and we know how hard it will be.”
Wolves star Luke Becker said: “It’s a big and fast race-track and I know this will be a good meeting, so I’m looking forward to it.
“We’re doing great as a team, we all get on well together and that’s important for any team trying to win a league championship.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

KING’S Lynn hand a home debut to former Peterborough man Ben Barker when they face the Panthers at the Adrian Flux Arena tonight (Thursday).
Barker and Stars asset Kasper Andersen both made encouraging first appearances in defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday, and they now take on their local rivals who are closing in on a play-off place.
The hosts have lost six of their seven home matches, including a big defeat to the Panthers last month, which will leave them optimistic of a repeat performance.
But Barker said: “We’ll have something to say about that. It’s a great meeting for me to make my home debut and I’m looking forward to showing the King’s Lynn fans my all-out effort.”
Rob Lyon’s title-chasing side were impressive winners at Belle Vue on Monday, and they continue to operate rider-replacement for injured No.1 Ulrich Ostergaard.
Lyon said: “There are another four points up for grabs, but King’s Lynn have had some improved scores lately, so they’ll be tougher I’m sure.
“But the boys are up for it and confidence is high, so we’ll go there looking to put some more points on the board.”

FRIDAY AUGUST 13:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Plymouth 7.30, Glasgow v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 14:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Plymouth 7pm, Leicester v Eastbourne 7pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh 2.30

SUNDAY AUGUST 15:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30, Redcar v Plymouth 2pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar (125cc/150cc) (follows Champ fixture)