BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN

Redcar came from 8-points behind to beat Poole 48-42 at the Media Prima Arena on Friday. Jake Allen scored 12+3 for the Bears and is seen here in front of the jubilant home crowd.
Picture: COLIN POOLE

HERE’S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.

PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BELLE VUE
“It’s a good opportunity now to try a few new things with the bikes, but at the same time we still want to go out and get as many points from our remaining meetings as possible.”
With a play-off place all-but secured, reserve Jye Etheridge is keen for the Aces to enter the semi-finals in the best possible shape by making the very most of their remaining league matches.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton (12pm), Mon Aug 30
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (8pm), Mon Aug 30

IPSWICH
“Yes, there may be a lot of online criticism, but we really appreciate people coming through the turnstiles still to watch the speedway. We are not winning enough races or meetings but there is some decent entertainment there and we want to win our last meeting at home to give our fans a positive result to cheer about. Things are very tough for us at the moment.”
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins had the bigger picture in mind when reacting to another bad night at home in last week’s heavy Foxhall defeat to leaders Wolverhampton.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur Sept 2
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Thur Aug 26

KING’S LYNN
“On Thursday night against Wolves we can salvage some pride. It’s a very different team from last time they were at the Adrian Flux Arena. The target is a win, it will be very tough no doubt. The pressure is off in one way and the boys can enjoy it but equally the pressure is on for team places in 2022.”
Stars boss Alex Brady says there’s still plenty to race for when his side faces league leaders Wolverhampton in their penultimate home match of the season.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur Aug 26
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon Sept 6

PETERBOROUGH
“It was always going to be tough, Wolverhampton aren’t top for no reason, and they are a solid outfit – and to win and for them to go home with nothing was a special result for us. We really wanted it done and dusted before Heat 15 because we knew they’d have one and three, but we chose right, and sometimes you get heroes in meetings – certainly Hans and Bomber were that tonight.”
Rob Lyon’s side are through to the play-offs after a thrilling win over Wolves on Monday – and their sights are still set on finishing top of the table.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Mon Sept 6
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur Sept 2

SHEFFIELD
“The track is great to ride with so many fast lines and you can pass people from almost anywhere on the track. Hopefully we can push on now and seal a play-off place and then anything can happen. We are capable of beating anyone over two legs.”
New signing Danyon Hume is delighted to be handed the Rising Star berth for the Tigers after impressing the Owlerton club in several recent guest appearances.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Thur Aug 26
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon Sept 6

WOLVERHAMPTON
“We can’t take our foot off the gas now, we’ve got to keep going. All the boys are doing great and we just know we have to keep going and scoring the points to finish top of the table.”
Wolves skipper Rory Schlein has stressed the fight goes on to secure choice of play-off opponents, with the Monmore side winning nine matches on the bounce before being edged out at Peterborough on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue (8pm), Mon Aug 30
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Thur Aug 26

CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…BERWICK
The Bandits have postponed this weekend’s scheduled home match with Eastbourne due to the current problems facing the Arlington side, and will instead stage a special Bandits v Bullets Challenge fixture.
NEXT HOME: Bullets (Ch), Sat Aug 28
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri Aug 27

BIRMINGHAM
“To sustain the season we need to get back to the level we enjoyed against Leicester and Kent. If we had those crowd numbers every week there would be no concerns. It’s important for everyone to come along and get right behind us, we are all digging deep and doing our very best as a club.”
Co-owner Peter Mason says the club are still committed to getting through a difficult season but need constant backing from supporters in all home matches.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Wed Aug 25
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Aug 24

EASTBOURNE
“We are working hard to ensure that late and overdue payments are fulfilled as soon as possible and to secure the immediate future to get us to the end of the 2021 season and hopefully beyond. We are fully committed to honouring all outstanding financial commitments in the coming weeks.”
The Eagles’ season is currently on hold with several home and away matches postponed, with the hope being that they will be able to resume next month and complete their fixtures.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Sat Sept 4
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Sept 7

EDINBURGH
“We’ve managed to get a draw but I have to say it felt like a defeat. We were very disappointing. We weren’t getting out of the starts and were up against it all night. Congratulations to Kent on a very good performance.”
Monarch boss Alex Harkess couldn’t take a great deal of satisfaction out of rescuing a draw against Kent, who looked set to take a shock away victory before the home side grabbed a 5-1 in Heat 15.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Fri Aug 27
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun Sept 5

GLASGOW
The Tigers’ misfortune with the weather continued with another home postponement last weekend, this time the big clash with play-off rivals Leicester. They will hope for better fortune when they host Berwick this Friday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Fri Aug 27
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Fri Sept 3

KENT
“The track was difficult after heavy rain on Saturday and passing was at a premium, so four league points from our shortened Northern Tour is quite a satisfactory result for me.”
Kings chief Len Silver was a satisfied man after hearing news of a second draw in three days on the road for the Kings, who shared the spoils at both Edinburgh and Newcastle.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Tues Aug 24
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri Sept 3

LEICESTER
“We’ve been a little inconsistent for most of the season, but if we can get all seven firing, we are capable of winning up there. We have a team that should be going anywhere and giving any home team a run for their money.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson fully expects his side to confirm their place in the play-offs – but he believes there’s still more to come as they look to defend their title.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sat Aug 28
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri Sept 3

NEWCASTLE
“Kent with Scotty Nicholls and Troy Bachelor are a team of quality and resilience, and that’s how they bounced back to almost take the win, but Max Cleg saved us from defeat with his huge increase in form tonight from what it was a few weeks ago.”
Diamonds boss Steve Pate was relieved to see his side score from their home match with Kent, even though the Kings snatched a draw with a series of late maximums from their top two riders.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Sun Aug 29
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues Aug 24

PLYMOUTH
The Gladiators head into back-to-back meetings with Birmingham this week with Bjarne Pedersen taking over the No.1 position whilst Jason Crump is now at No.5.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Tues Aug 24
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed Aug 25

POOLE“Benjamin settled in well on Friday and anyone who was there can only have been impressed with the way he adapted. He certainly has plenty about him and I am sure he will want to put on a showing in front of a greater number of Poole fans.”
Pirates promoter Danny Ford was pleased with the debut performance of new signing Benjamin Basso at Redcar last week, as he prepares to race at Wimborne Road for the first time.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Wed Aug 25
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Aug 27

REDCAR
“Heat 15 was an awesome way to finish the meeting after being eight points down. Tonight we were under pressure but I have been around the sport and I know how to deal with it. Additionally, the crowd were fantastic for us this evening, they really got behind us and spurred us on to victory and I cannot thank them enough for their support.”
Bears skipper Charles Wright was buzzing after a sensational comeback against Poole saw his side overturn an eight-point deficit to win 48-42.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Fri Aug 27
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed Sept 8

SCUNTHORPE
“I’m happy to score my first maximum for Scunthorpe. I’m not sure what to say, I’m a bit lost for words, to be honest. I just made a start in Heat 2 and took it from there. I’ve been close to a maximum around here a few times, so to finally have one under my belt is very pleasing. I hope there’s many more to come.”
A red letter day for Scorpions youngster Jordan Palin with a four-ride paid maximum in last Friday’s home win over Birmingham.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri Sept 3
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri Aug 27
 
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…

ARMADALE
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Sat Aug 28
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues Oct 12

BELLE VUE
“It was a good win for the boys tonight and we’re in a great position at this point in the season to perhaps even challenge for the title. Some clubs below us have matches in hand but we’ve still got a few meetings to get more points and hopefully we can bring that trophy back to Manchester.”
Colts star Harry McGurk is optimistic that the Manchester side can still put in a challenge for honours having taken another home win over Armadale last week.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Fri Sept 3
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues Sept 21

BERWICK
NEXT HOME: Kent, Sat Sept 4
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Sept 26

EASTBOURNE
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Mon Sept 27
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat Aug 28

KENT
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Tues Sept 21
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat Sept 4

LEICESTER
NEXT HOME: Kent, Sat Oct 9
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Sept 12 

MILDENHALL
“After the meeting members of the management made themselves visible for supporters and we were very grateful for your kind support, understanding and backing of the club. It means a great deal to have you behind the club and gives us the strength and enthusiasm to continue to press on.”
The Fen Tigers have published readmission and refund details following the abandonment of last Sunday’s British Under-19 Final at West Row, and still hope to re-stage the event later in the season.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sun Sept 12
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Fri Sept 3

FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY AUGUST 24:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Newcastle 6.30, Plymouth v Birmingham 7pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Plymouth 7.30, Poole v Newcastle 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 26:
PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Poole 7.30, Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30, Glasgow v Berwick 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 28:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester v Plymouth 7pm
CHALLENGE: Berwick v Bullets 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 29:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Birmingham 5pm, Redcar v Berwick 2pm

MONDAY AUGUST 30:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 8pm
CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Birmingham 4pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 5: Leicester 4pm

TUESDAY AUGUST 31:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Newcastle 7pm

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Poole 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Belle Vue 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Birmingham 7.30, Poole v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Kent 7.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Kent 6.30, Eastbourne v Newcastle 7.30, Leicester v Glasgow 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Berwick v Kent (follows Championship match)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Berwick 3.30, Glasgow v Scunthorpe 6pm 

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Sheffield 7.30, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Scunthorpe 6.30, Plymouth v Eastbourne 7pm