BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

EDINBURGH’S CONSTRUCTION SETBACK

EDINBURGH’S bid to construct West Lothian Community Stadium has suffered a significant setback as the council’s Executive Committee approved the sale of the site to an alternative bidder on Tuesday.

Despite the club piecing together an extensive bid for the new stadium that would deliver best value to West Lothian with significant benefits to the local community, the Council Executive has selected a rival bid that intends to develop the land for commercial business use.

Development Director Gordon Campbell commented: “West Lothian Community Stadium is a fantastic proposal that would deliver significant social, economic and community benefits to the local area and across West Lothian.

“Monarchs firmly believe that our bid offered best value to West Lothian and we are extremely disappointed that a portion of the Council Executive voted to approve a rival bid for the site.

“The support for the new stadium from the local community has been tremendous and we feel this strongly demonstrates the desire to see this facility delivered. West Lothian Community Stadium would be constructed at no cost to the Council and would be an excellent asset to the area.

“Our first enquiry to the Council regarding the site occurred 14 months ago and since then the process and timeline of the sale has been lumbering.

The severely frustrating decision goes in the face of initially supportive words from across the Council, along with strong support from elected members and in the local community.
“Monarchs remain fully committed to securing a new home for the club and delivering the extensive associated benefits for the local community.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

KING’S Lynn host Sheffield at the Adrian Flux Arena tonight (Thursday) in a meeting which could resolve the final Premiership play-off places.

The Stars must win to remain in contention, whilst an away victory for the Tigers would not only confirm their own top four finish but also that of Wolverhampton.

The home side are without Frederik Jakobsen after a crash in Sweden on Tuesday, with Berwick’s Jonas Knudsen coming in to guest at reserve.

Meanwhile the Tigers include Lewis Kerr for his first appearance against the Stars since being released for Jakobsen last month, but Kyle Howarth is out with bruising and whiplash after a crash at Belle Vue on Monday.

Stars boss Alex Brady said: “We will have to be on our game. They have Lewi in there, he will be looking to prove a point I am sure.
“We will have to be a lot better than we were last week to get the result we want. If everyone gets behind us again, like they have done all season, I am sure we are capable of doing the job.”

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “Belle Vue (on Monday) was just one of those nights, but if you look at our overall form of late then that tells you exactly what we’re capable of.

“King’s Lynn aren’t giving up their own play-off dream just yet – but hopefully we can go there and get the job done on Thursday.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

IPSWICH look to take another step towards confirming top spot in the Premiership when they host Peterborough tonight (Thursday).

Both of the last two encounters between the clubs have been resolved in the Witches’ favour via Super Heats after they drew 45-45 following 15 heats, including at the East of England Arena on Monday.

Former Ipswich racer Cameron Heeps makes a guest appearance for the club as Paul Starke was injured in that meeting.
The Panthers remain depleted with Danish trio Michael Palm Toft, Hans Andersen and Ulrich Ostergaard all ruled out, and Drew Kemp and Simon Lambert come in to guest.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I’m expecting another really tough meeting on Thursday. We have managed to beat them in the Super Heat in our last two fixtures and they are certainly going to want to put that right.

“Any team coming to Ipswich with Scott Nicholls at reserve is going to be a threat and they will fancy their chances. I think it will be another really close meeting.”

Panthers manager Rob Lyon said: “We’ll go there and do the best we can. Ipswich has always been a happy hunting ground for us in the last two years, but this time we’re going with a weakened team.

“I’ve got three riders out who I’ve got to replace, but there are just no riders around and that’s the bottom line. But we’ll give it 100 per cent as we always try to do, and see how we come out the other end!”
 
(SPEEDWAY 4)

POOLE and Plymouth will try again with their Championship play-off quarter-final next week after suffering a double postponement due to the weather.

Wednesday’s meeting at Wimborne Road was called off when the circuit was hit by a torrential thunderstorm shortly after 6pm.
The new dates have been confirmed with Plymouth staging the first leg next Tuesday (September 13) with the return in Dorset on Wednesday.

Pirates promoter Danny Ford said: “I am really gutted as we had avoided the rain for the best part of the day and we had our fingers crossed that we would be seeing some speedway, but that thunderstorm was immense. 

“We have made arrangements to go again next Wednesday, to follow on from the trip to Plymouth on Tuesday night.
“Before that though, we have a Cup trip to Leicester to contend with on Saturday.”

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9:
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF Q/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Leicester v Poole 7pm