BRITISH SPEEDWAY JULY 28, 2022

Photo: Richard Lawson interview 

(SPEEDWAY 1)

POOLE’S DECISIVE VICTORY

POOLE raced to a second maximum-points away win in the Championship Jubilee League by thrashing Birmingham 56-34 at Perry Barr.

Richard Lawson scored a 15-point maximum for the Pirates and reserve Ben Cook tallied 13+3, dropping his only points in Heat 15 as the visitors provided all but one of the race winners.

The Brummies’ task was made near-impossible when skipper Ashley Morris and Stefan Nielsen crashed out in successive races, with guest reserve Jason Edwards impressing with a 12+2 score.

Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford said: “Obviously we feel for Birmingham and their problems. They already had a heavy injury list, but to then lose two more riders made it a tough task for them and we wish both Ashley and Stefan all the very best for a speedy recovery.

“But to be honest, our lads were really going well. Ben had been unbeaten until the nominated ride and he worked really hard to try and complete the maximum in Heat 15 but just couldn’t get by Jason.”

Brummies boss Laurence Rogers said: “How many times have we said it this season, if we didn’t have bad luck we wouldn’t have any luck at all?
“We’ve been left with bruises on riders and bruises on confidence after that.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

OXFORD raced to a 56-34 win over depleted Plymouth to remain top of the Southern group of the Championship Jubilee League.

The visitors, already using rider replacement, were reduced to four riders with Ben Barker ruled out before the meeting, whilst Alfie Bowtell suffered a knee ligament injury in Heat 1.

Cameron Heeps completed a good week for the Cheetahs with 13+2, and skipper Scott Nicholls scored a 12-point maximum. Guest Josh Pickering piled up 17 for the Gladiators.

The Southern group is now set to be decided between Oxford and Poole, who meet twice next week.
Heeps said: “I’m really pleased that I can start to give something back, because I feel the rest of the boys have had my back all year.

“I feel they’ve been picking up my slack, so it’s good that I’m now starting to chip in and do my part.
“I’m pleased that we’re still in with a shout in the Jubilee League. We want to get through to the Final and then who knows what can happen.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

GREAT Britain have three representatives in Saturday’s FIM European Under-19 Qualifier at Zarnovica.

Harry McGurk, Sam Hagon and Nathan Ablitt, who contested a run-off for third place in last Thursday’s British Under-19 Final at Redcar, are heading to Slovakia aiming for a top five finish to make the Final in Hungary in September.

GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “It is fair to say that with the SON2 event taking place in Denmark the night before this qualifier, some of the top European Under-19 riders have other priorities this week.

“Therefore McGurk, Hagon and Ablitt have to grab this fantastic opportunity of qualifying for a European Final with both hands.
“Having said that, the Slovakian venue is a big, fast European circuit and one that the three boys will not be used to, so they will need to make the most of the pre-meeting practice and find the right set-up as soon as they can.

“With McGurk and Ablitt competing in the Championship league this season, and Hagon having gained European experience in competing in FIM and FIM European events, as well as the Polish Under-24 league for Czestochowa, I have every faith that come the conclusion of this event Great Britain will have at least one representative in September’s European Under-19 Final.”
Another qualifier takes place at Czech Republic venue Plzen on September 3 where GB will be represented by Leon Flint, Jake Mulford and one rider to be confirmed.
 
(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY JULY 29:
CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Poole v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 30:
CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Leicester v Redcar 7pm

SUNDAY JULY 31:
CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Kent 3pm