BRITISH SPEEDWAY MARCH 28, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

PETERBOROUGH specialist Ryan Douglas raced to victory in the Ben Fund Bonanza with a stunning display.
Aussie ace Douglas was in sizzling form in front of a good crowd at the East of England Arena to raise vital finds for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund in aid of injured and disabled riders.

The Wolverhampton and Scunthorpe man carded 14-points after his five outings to go straight into the five-man Final – two ahead of Ben Barker and Tom Brennan.Douglas then won the decider with Sam Masters and Richard Lawson, who had come through the semi-final, completing the rostrum places.

Douglas said: “It was a great feeling to win here. The bikes felt quick during the qualifying heats and I knew choosing gate 1 in the Final was going to be so important with the way the track was.“I knew if I made the start in the Final and got my nose in front I would be able to hold on for the win. “It was great to see such a big turnout here today for such a worthy cause and I’m proud to have won the meeting.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

BELLE Vue will hand a debut to German youngster Norick Blodorn in tonight’s (Monday) League Cup clash with Sheffield at the NSS. Blodorn had been unable to appear in the Aces’ individual opener last week due to visa issues, but he now lines up at reserve alongside in-form Tom Brennan.

Said Blodorn: “I’m so relieved that all of that is finally done! It was quite a nerve wracking few weeks while everything was going through, so I’m really pleased that it’s finally been approved. “This will be my first meeting of the season. It’s been a few months since I last rode at Belle Vue, and I was gutted to have to miss the Peter Craven Memorial. 

“I’m not very familiar with the Sheffield team but to be honest, that might be a good thing. My goal is to make a good first impression and I can’t wait to race my first heat with the Aces.”

The Tigers have Tobiasz Musielak and former Belle Vue man Craig Cook in their side for the first time as they visit the venue where they were eliminated from last year’s play-off semi-finals.
Skipper Kyle Howarth said: “It’s time for the talking to stop, this is the serious stuff now and it doesn’t get any bigger than Belle Vue for us.

“There’s always that rivalry between the two clubs and we’re looking forward to going across there.
“We look a good side and we’re all feeling pretty good. It would be the perfect start for us if we could go there and win on that brilliant track, but Belle Vue will be equally determined.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

WOLVERHAMPTON race their first home meeting of the season as they host a Birmingham Past & Present side at Monmore tonight (Monday).

Former Brummies Chris Harris and Ben Barker are added to the visitors’ line-up, whilst Steve Worrall and Drew Kemp make their first appearances for the hosts.

Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “I was really pleased to see Birmingham survive and we are delighted to welcome them to Monmore Green for the opening night of our 2022 campaign.

“It’s also a special meeting to get us started because it’s in memory of a 90-year-old who was not only a team manager once upon a time for Birmingham, but was also a regular here at Monmore. 

“So for our 2022 side to get out on track for the first time against Birmingham competing for the George Wallett Trophy is a great way to get the season up and running.”

(FIXTURES)

MONDAY MARCH 28:
LEAGUE CUP: Belle Vue v Sheffield 7.30

CHALLENGE: Wolverhampton v Brummies Past & Present 7.30

TUESDAY MARCH 29:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Plymouth v Kent 7pm

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30:
CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Coventry Select 7.30
BJARNE PEDERSEN FAREWELL: Poole 7.30

THURSDAY MARCH 31:
LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30
STEEL CITY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 7.30