BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 2, 2022
Date: Saturday April 2, 2022
(SPEEDWAY 1)
LEICESTER and Scunthorpe kick off their Championship schedule tonight (Saturday UK time) in a repeat of last season’s play-off quarter-final.
The Lions were clear winners of that two-legged tie but two of their riders from 2021, Ryan Douglas and Zaine Kennedy, have switched to the Lincolnshire club this year.
Leicester skipper Kyle Howarth said: “They look solid from top to bottom, and they’ll be a test for us, but from our perspective we need to start the league programme with three points on the board.”
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “For me, anything less than the play-offs this year, I will see as a disappointment. I think we’ve got to be aiming for top two; people might say I’m talking rubbish, but I don’t think so.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM boss Laurence Rogers is hoping for history to repeat itself when his side visits Berwick in their Championship opener tonight (Saturday).
The Brummies won by 12 points on their last visit to Shielfield Park at the beginning of the 2021 season – but their skipper from last year, Chris Harris, has moved to the Bandits for the new campaign.
Rogers said: “Berwick look a good, solid side and it’s going to be a battle. “We went there and won last year though, and it would be nice to do the same again.“It’s been a hard start to the season at Leicester and Wolverhampton, but things can only improve.”
Supporters will be able to stream the meeting online via the new British Speedway Network for £11.99 with monthly or season passes also available.
Live coverage gets underway from 6.30pm.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
OXFORD coach Peter Schroeck has described the first speedway activity at Cowley in nearly 15 years as a resounding success.
Riders took to the circuit for press and practice on Wednesday ahead of the club’s much-anticipated return to the sport this season, which will also see former World Champion Jason Crump take the reins as team manager.
Schroeck said: “The boys are really happy with the track. Our goals for practice were to find the right set-up for the bikes, get a feel for the environment and enjoy it.
“This is such an exciting time for speedway, the city of Oxford and its people. The transformation from ‘jungle’ to racetrack in the past few months is quite amazing.
“The riders feel privileged to be here – for some of them they’ve never stepped foot inside Oxford Stadium before, and others already have great memories.
“It shows in their attitude, they all enjoyed the track and felt like they made improvements every time they went out. We’re really pleased with progress.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SCUNTHORPE have confirmed the return of Attis Insurance for a second season as title sponsors.
The 2022 campaign represents the 16th successive season that Joe Henderson MBE has backed the club, having previously done so through both Henderson Insurance and HEB.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Attis Insurance were a brand-new company when they came in to sponsor us last season. But they are already growing rapidly, and they have opened several new branches within the last year.
“We will take every chance to promote the name of Attis Insurance in the media at every opportunity. We believe we have strong side this season and we intend to be making some headlines as the Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions.
“I can’t thank Joe Henderson enough for his support of Scunthorpe Speedway down the years. It’s made such a difference to our club.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY APRIL 2:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Birmingham 7pm, Leicester v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 3:
DAVE TATTUM MEMORIAL: Newcastle v Stoke Select 4pm
MONDAY APRIL 4:
LEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v Sheffield 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 5:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Plymouth v Poole 7pm
WEDNESDAY APRIL 6:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Poole v Plymouth 7.30; 1st round 2nd leg: Birmingham v Leicester 7.30
NO PRESSURE ON ZMARZLIK AFTER LATVIAN GP WIN