BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN APRIL 26, 2022

King’s Lynn booked their place in the League Cup Final after a 56-34 win against Ipswich on Monday at the Adrian Flux Arena. They will face either Sheffield or Wolverhampton in the Final later in the season.
Photo: Ian Burt

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

PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BELLE VUE
“I was feeling much faster on the bike than I was last week, Norick [Blödorn] is looking quicker with every race and Charles [Wright] and Brady [Kurtz] are in great form. Of course we want to win. We don’t turn up to these meetings aiming to lose. We put everything on the line to try to get the win in the bag.”
Rising Star Tom Brennan believes the Aces will quickly turn their fortunes around when they head into league action next week, after a disappointing League Cup campaign.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Mon May 2 (12pm)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur May 5
 
IPSWICH
“It is our job to get on top of them early and show them what we are about. If we are not fully on it, they have a team of riders who like Foxhall and we certainly need to improve on our performance against Peterborough. We don’t want to be losing to King’s Lynn at home, so we need to make sure that does not happen.”
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins is desperate to go into the Premiership campaign on a positive note as they prepare for their final League Cup fixture on Thursday.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn (LC), Thur Apr 28
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon May 9
 
KING’S LYNN
“Doyley is a World-class rider and won the World Championship for that reason. He is a hero of mine so to be able to race and compete with him, he is definitely someone who inspires me and someone to look up to so to beat him three times on the trot is a dream come true.”
New Stars skipper Josh Pickering kept up his dream start to the season with a paid maximum in the victory over Ipswich on Monday which secured League Cup Final progression – and he beat Witches No.1 Jason Doyle three times in the process!
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur May 5
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich (LC), Thur Apr 28
 
PETERBOROUGH
“It was unfortunate in Heat 15 because we got into a 4-2 position and I thought we’d nailed it, but fair play to the Lynn boys because they had other ideas and came back at us and pipped us. All in all I think the supporters were treated to a good match, and it’s just a shame we couldn’t quite pull it off.”
Panthers boss Rob Lyon saw his side miss out at King’s Lynn in a classic last-heat decider, with the Stars going on to confirm top spot in the group four nights later.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Mon May 9
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue (12pm), Mon May 2
 
SHEFFIELD
“We’ve hit the ground running which is something we maybe struggled with last year, so we’re all pleased. Our reserves were riding really well which is so important if we want to challenge for titles across the year.”
British Champion Adam Ellis says the Tigers have made an ideal start to the new season with three wins out of three in the League Cup including their opening Owlerton victory over Belle Vue.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur May 5
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Mon May 16
 
WOLVERHAMPTON
“We’ve done a couple of meetings at Wolves now and the last time we raced we got the two wins against Belle Vue. We’re all getting more meetings in now and I think we’re all back in the swing of things.”
Skipper Sam Masters says the prospects are good at Monmore Green as Wolves prepare to launch their Premiership campaign against King’s Lynn on Bank Holiday Monday.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, Mon May 2
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Thur May 5
 
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BERWICK
“After two away meetings where the lads battled hard all the way, but got nothing out of them, this was a show that we’re back, capable and desperate for league points which we all saw clearly tonight with a great performance.”
The Bandits raced to an impressive 59-31 win over Oxford at Shielfield Park, with some thrilling racing along the way, leaving team boss Gary Flint a highly satisfied man.
NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Sat Apr 30
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun May 1

BIRMINGHAM
“When we got the 4-2 in Heat 11, I thought we were on for a league point. But we fell apart in those last few races and we conceded three 5-1s out the last four. There were some plusses that I’d like to focus on and I think we just need to find a bit more consistency as a team and I’m sure that’s not far away.”
Brummies boss Laurence Rogers was frustrated with the closing stages of their defeat at Scunthorpe on Friday, where the Scorpions pulled clear to win 54-36.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Wed May 4
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Wed April 27
 
EDINBURGH
“James Sarjeant was very good, and I was very happy to see some points for Jacob Hook – Sam Masters was working with him, changing things on the bike, and in his last two rides he got a good third followed by a paid win. He’s definitely showing promise. Our middle pair is improving, Paco Castagna seems to take a while to get going but he won his last two heats.”
Monarchs boss Alex Harkess is pleased with the early signs from his side in 2022, as they prepare for their big clashes with Glasgow this weekend.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Fri Apr 29
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Sun May 1
 
GLASGOW
 “It’s difficult to get something on the road in this league. I’m just glad we got out without any injuries. It’s a long season with lots of matches to come. We had a chat with the lads after and we’re already looking forward to Friday night at Armadale, where we will give it everything we’ve got.”
Tigers boss Cami Brown saw his side miss out on league points at Leicester on Saturday but has now turned his attention to this week’s Scottish derbies against Edinburgh.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sun May 1
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri Apr 29
 
LEICESTER
“We had a tough meeting last week against Poole, and we’ve faced another one of the favourites (Glasgow) tonight and beaten both, and we also got a point at Redcar, so we’ve bounced back from the disappointment of Scunthorpe and Plymouth away from home. To get four points over the last 48 hours has certainly been more like it.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson felt his side had enjoyed a positive weekend as a reaction to two heavy away defeats at the start of their Championship schedule, with their home form continuing to be impressive.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Sat Apr 30
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri May 13

NEWCASTLE
“Honestly and simply tonight was a disappointment. We started off pretty well, and led the match, or held level with the Cheetahs until Heat 7, and even then held the gap to a point or two, but lost ground and just couldn’t recover.”
Diamonds co-promoter Dave Tinning expressed his frustration after a 41-48 home defeat at the hands of Oxford on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun May 1
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat Apr 30
 
OXFORD
“The atmosphere and the attitude of the boys was mind blowing. Everyone was really up for it, and to pick up maximum points on the road is great for the team. It was tough at Berwick, which is a difficult track to go to. They’ve got some home track specialists who made it very hard for us. But picking up four points from those two meetings is a great achievement.”
Cheetahs co-boss Peter Schroeck was delighted with his side’s effort at Newcastle on Sunday to register their first away win, having suffered a heavy defeat at Berwick less than 24 hours earlier.
NEXT HOME: Redccar (KOC), Wed Apr 27
NEXT AWAY: Redcar (KOC), Fri Apr 29

PLYMOUTH
The Gladiators return to action this week with home and away clashes against Scunthorpe, with Richard Lawson lined up to guest for Edward Kennett in both meetings.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe Tues Apr 26
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri Apr 29
 
POOLE
“There were contributions right throughout the side and that was encouraging, but I still feel there is more to come from all of our riders. That bodes well as we can certainly up our game further, and that is a good thing to be able to say when you are already winning points.”
Pirates promoter Danny Ford reflected on a first league double of the season as his side followed up a big home win over Oxford by winning 48-42 at Cowley last Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Wed Apr 27
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues May 3
 
REDCAR
“We performed well again, our heat leaders are the best three riders in the league and I am so proud of them. Additionally, Kasper (Andersen) scored paid-10 and he is improving every week. When we have a full 1-7 firing at the same time we will be even harder to beat!”
Bears co-promoter Jamie Swales underlined his satisfaction with last Friday’s home win over Leicester when he spoke to redcar-speedway.com .
NEXT HOME: Oxford (KOC), Fri Apr 29
NEXT AWAY: Oxford (KOC), Wed Apr 27
 
SCUNTHORPE
“I’m enjoying riding for Scunthorpe. It’s a new environment for me and one I’m enjoying. I like it here and the track suits me well. I can come here every week with confidence, because I know I can always score well around here. Everything is going smoothly.”
Scorpions reserve Zaine Kennedy is pleased with his early efforts for the club, including an 11+2 haul in last Friday’s home win over Birmingham.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Fri Apr 29
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Apr 26

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…

ARMADALE
NEXT HOME: Oxford, Fri May 6
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Fri May 27
 
BELLE VUE
“I think with Nathan [Ablitt] and Jack [Parkinson-Blackburn] back we will be unbeatable at home. We just need a few more meetings to get dialled in, and we need to put our focus on our away form because if we can pick up points away we’ll put ourselves in a very strong position.”
Colts captain Jack Smith is optimistic of a strong record at the National Speedway Stadium this season after an impressive opening outing against Plymouth.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri May 6
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat May 7

BERWICK
“We keep on stressing that their league is about learning, gaining experience and developing careers. No undue pressure from us as management. But winning is never a bad habit to learn either.”
Berwick co-promoter Jamie Courtney reflects on a perfect start to the season for the Bullets, who sit top of the NDL table after three wins from their three matches so far in 2022.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat May 7
NEXT AWAY: Oxford, Wed May 4
 
KENT
The Royals will have to pull back a 12-point margin when they entertain Mildenhall in the KO Cup at Iwade on Sunday, having worked hard to keep the tie alive at West Row last weekend.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall (KOC), Sun May 1
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat May 21 

LEICESTER
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat May 14
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Fri May 6
 
MILDENHALL
“We took the opportunity after heat eight to gather together and reflect on the meeting up to that stage and discuss what we needed to do to achieve our goal – I always felt we needed a 12 to 14 points advantage to take to Iwade next week and that’s what we got in the end.”
Fen Tigers co-boss Jason Gardner was satisfied with a 51-39 win over Kent at West Row on Sunday, but knows there is still a job to do this weekend in the return fixture with a KO Cup Final place at stake.
NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sun Maay 15
NEXT AWAY: Kent (KOC), Sun May 1
 
OXFORD
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Wed May 4
NEXT AWAY: Armadale, Fri May 6

PLYMOUTH
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Tues May 24
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun May 15

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY APRIL 26:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7pm

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Birmingham 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Oxford v Redcar 7.30

THURSDAY APRIL 28:
LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30

FRIDAY APRIL 29:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Redcar v Oxford 7.30

SATURDAY APRIL 30:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Newcastle 7pm, Leicester v Redcar 7pm

SUNDAY MAY 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 6pm, Newcastle v Berwick 4pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Kent v Mildenhall 12pm

MONDAY MAY 2:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Peterborough 12pm, Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn 8pm

TUESDAY MAY 3:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Poole 7pm

WEDNESDAY MAY 4:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Scunthorpe 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Berwick 7.30

THURSDAY MAY 5:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30, Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30

FRIDAY MAY 6:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Plymouth 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Oxford 7.30, Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester v Oxford 7pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Berwick v Belle Vue 7pm

SUNDAY MAY 8:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 4pm

MONDAY MAY 9:
PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Ipswich 7.30

TUESDAY MAY 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Oxford 7pm