BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 7, 2023

(SPEEDWAY 1)

DOYLE IN TOP FORM

JASON Doyle raced to a paid maximum as Ipswich overcame a stubborn Leicester challenge to win 48-42 in the first leg of their KO Cup tie.

Doyle twice combined with Emil Sayfutdinov for 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 after the Lions had gone into the closing stages with a two-point advantage.
Sayfutdinov was unbeaten in four of his five rides on his home debut but was unable to pass the team-riding duo of Max Fricke and Justin Sedgmen who scored a 5-1 for Leicester in Heat 11.

Doyle (14+1), Sayfutdinov (12+1) and Danny King (10) were all in double figures for the hosts, whilst Fricke top-scored for a solid Lions side on 9+1.

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “In a Knockout Cup tie, you would obviously like to get more than a six-point lead from your home leg, but it was opening night against a strong team, and we had three debutants around Ipswich, so I’m happy we got the win because I thought we were in a position that could have ended in defeat.

“A couple of points picked up in certain rides by the less experienced riders made the difference.
“Emil looked like he had been riding this place for ten years week in, week out. He has ridden this track twice and looked like a track expert, he was so quick. He is brilliant to have in the pits and what an addition to the team.”

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “If I was to be ultra-critical, it should have been closer than six points, but for the first night the boys did well and there are still one or two to get up to speed.
“The two big heats, 13 and 15, caused the damage but we should have been in more of a lead than two points going into Heat 13, and Heat 14 was unfortunate as well.

“If you’d said before the meeting that we’d score 42 points I would have taken it, but I’ve come away slightly disappointed that we never got 44 or 45, because it was there for us if we’d been a bit shrewder on-track, but that will come in time.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

KING’S Lynn’s management were pulling no punches after a heavy 58-32 defeat at Sheffield in the first leg of the Premiership KO Cup.

The Stars have suffered a tough first week with losses at Wolves in the league and now Owlerton, and on this occasion it was skipper Josh Pickering (11) and Nicolai Klindt (8) who scored the bulk of their points.
The Tigers turned in a power-packed display led by Jack Holder on 12+1, Tobiasz Musielak with 11+3 and Kyle Howarth on 10 to make themselves strong favourites for the second leg later this month.

A Stars statement read: “We are fully aware of the fans’ frustrations, and we can assure everyone that we share those frustrations. “We are not happy with the situation, and we will be looking at every option open to us over the coming days.

“It was good to see a couple of wins from Nicolai at Sheffield, especially as he is still carrying an injury, and coming after a poor night at Wolves. “Josh was back to form and Jason (Edwards) once again did more than expected on an away track, but we are fully aware of the shortfalls and there are no excuses there.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

WOLVERHAMPTON have snapped up seven times British Champion Scott Nicholls as an injury replacement for Luke Becker.
Nicholls, who had a similar spell with the club in early 2019, scored a paid maximum when guesting for Becker in Monday’s win over King’s Lynn, and added a 15-point full score for his Cab Direct Championship side Oxford on Wednesday.

Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Scott back on board, and it was a bit of a no-brainer to be honest.
“Luke will be undergoing further appointments with specialists and he’s going to be out for at least the next month or so.
“And with Scott making the start to the season that he has, and with the experience he can add to the team, we simply couldn’t let the opportunity pass us by while it was available to us.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 4)

EDINBURGH welcome Craig Cook back into Monarchs colours against his former club as they host Glasgow in the BSN Series tonight (Friday).

The fierce rivals meet twice over the weekend as the Armadale clash is followed by another match on Sunday at Ashfield as the Scottish section of the competition gets underway.
Kyle Bickley makes his Monarchs debut whilst Glasgow have made a host of changes over the winter with only Benjamin Basso and captain Tom Brennan retained from last year.

Edinburgh skipper Josh Pickering said: “I think we have the right people in the right positions, Cookie and I at the top end, Kye (Thomson) in the middle with Paco (Castagna) makes us strong there.

“Lasse (Fredriksen) is a good second string and I have already said I expect big seasons from Jacob (Hook) and Kyle. I feel like both of them could be pushing for the main body and could hold their own at number two if they come up.
“There are other teams that look strong in some areas but weaker in others, but I think all our guys are in the right position and I have a confident feeling about this team.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

POOLE will bid to complete a rapid double over Oxford when the sides meet at Wimborne Road tonight (Friday).
The Pirates stole a march in the Southern group with their 46-43 win at Cowley on Wednesday meaning the pressure is on the Cheetahs to respond with the aggregate point also in play.

Poole promoter Dan Ford said: “Wednesday’s meeting had a number of good battles, in spite of the adverse conditions, and we know that Sam Masters, Scott Nicholls and Lewis Kerr can all be a handful around our place, so there is plenty to look forward to.

“We can be in no doubt that their whole team will be fired up after losing to us on Wednesday, but likewise our lads are ultra-keen to build on our victory.”
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “A win is pretty crucial if we want to progress. The nature of the competition means losing one home fixture puts you on the back foot, which is why tonight is a big meeting for us.
“There’s plenty of positives to take from Wednesday and we’ll be channelling all that energy into our riding. Tonight is a big challenge, but one we’re ready for and can’t wait to get started.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)
 
SCUNTHORPE race their first meeting of the season with a home Good Friday clash with Redcar in the Northern section of the BSN Series (5pm).
The Scorpions, who will admit all accompanied children aged 16 and under free throughout the campaign, are already one rider down after Zaine Kennedy suffered broken bones in his back in a mountain bike fall in Australia.

Ty Proctor steps in to guest against a Bears side who are forced into two changes of their own, as skipper Charles Wright is ruled out with illness and Jake Mulford is sidelined with concussion.

Justin Sedgmen and Nathan Stoneman take guest bookings for the visitors at the Eddie Wright Arena.
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “They are all tough matches but this one is made a little tougher for us because it is our first meeting, whereas Redcar have got two home meetings under their belts.

“Having said that, most of our team have already been in action elsewhere this season and have had fixtures this week in which to sharpen up. We’ll be fine, I’m sure, and our aim is to start our BSN Series campaign with a victory.
“It certainly won’t be easy, but it’s almost certainly likely to be a great meeting with some terrific racing.”

Bears youngster Jason Edwards said: “Today is Scunthorpe’s first match of the season, they have had a press day at home but haven’t had a home meeting yet so if things are going well as a team that could play into our hands.
“Scunthorpe is one of the fairest tracks in the country and we have done okay as a side there before, so hopefully we can go there and do a job!”

(SPEEDWAY 7)

BELLE Vue kick off the Good Friday fixture schedule with their National Development League opener against Berwick at the NSS (1pm).
Both teams have made several changes over the winter, with club asset James Pearson joining skipper Jack Smith to spearhead the Colts’ side.

Meanwhile the Bullets track three former Belle Vue riders in Connor Coles, Danny Phillips and Archie Freeman, the latter having ridden for the Colts last year.
Pearson said: “It’s just awesome to finally be racing this track every week. I think we’ve all been excited for this first meeting, and we just can’t wait to get started as a team.

“There are already fantastic vibes amongst the boys. We all know each other and get on very well, and sometimes that’s half the battle so hopefully good results will follow.
“And for me, having more time in the National Development League should help me in the Championship and vice versa, and in turn will be good for my Polish league racing too.”

Freeman said: “Belle Vue is seen around the world as one of the best speedway racetracks, and I really enjoyed my season with them last year.
“But the opportunity to join Berwick was a real no-brainer. There’s a really good mix of experience and potential in the team and this is going to be a really good opportunity to get the season off to a flying start.”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY APRIL 7:
BSN SERIES: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Poole (46) v Oxford (43) 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 5pm

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Berwick 1pm

SATURDAY APRIL 8:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Leicester v Berwick 7pm

SUNDAY APRIL 9:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Kent v Mildenhall 12pm
BSN SERIES: Glasgow v Edinburgh 5pm

MONDAY APRIL 10:
PREMIERSHIP R1: Peterborough v Leicester 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, 2nd leg: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 8pm