BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN 2023/22

PHOTO OF THE WEEK…

Feature photo by: Taz McDougall…GLASGOW completed a rapid weekend double over Berwick with a 53-36 win on Saturday at Shielfield Park. The Tigers moved up to third in the Cab Direct Championship having added five points in the space of just over 24 hours, following their emphatic home victory over the Bandits on Friday.

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

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP NEWSROUND…

WITCHES CHASING LIONS
IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins hopes a home win over Leicester on Thursday can put further pressure on the East Midlands side. The Witches gained an aggregate point at Wolverhampton on Monday and can finish on 34 points if they win their final two regular fixtures.

Hawkins said: “Leicester were in great form for the vast part of this season but their form has dropped off a little bit since we beat them at home and they have been struggling.
“They have made changes which haven’t quite worked yet, they are the team we are looking at in the league that we could possibly catch, but that is highly unlikely. We need to make sure we win the meeting on Thursday and then we will just be waiting and hoping for them to slip up in the next couple of weeks.”

JOB DONE FOR ACES
PREMIERSHIP leaders Belle Vue were convincing winners over King’s Lynn on Monday in a meeting curtailed one race early due to rain.
Skipper Brady Kurtz scored a four-ride paid maximum and said: “I don’t think we knew what to really expect from King’s Lynn, with them signing Robert Lambert, and it’s never nice to see a team struggling the way they have with injuries and other things.
“But we had to take advantage of that. We’ve got the team to get the job done and we can now look forward to going to their place on Thursday and, hopefully, leave with another win.”

STEAD – TIME TO STEP UP
SHEFFELD boss Simon Stead was disappointed with the manner of a 53-37 defeat at Peterborough on Monday despite a sensational show from Tai Woffinden.
The Tigers were without No.1 Tobiasz Musielak due to injury, and also lost Dan Gilkes in Heat 2 – before missing out on both match and aggregate points.

Stead said: “It was a great effort from Tai – but he can’t do it on his own.
“He needed a couple of others to step up but we were let down in some areas and that’s disappointing.”

WOLVES ON THE BRINK
WOLVERHAMPTON were held up in their bid to confirm a play-off spot on Monday, but still defeated Ipswich 46-44.
The Witches snatched the aggregate point with a last-heat 5-1 from Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov to continue a run of close matches at Monmore.

Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “We were expecting a tough meeting; Ipswich are desperate for the points and they rode very well but we had just that little bit too much for them.
“We’re almost there now and we just need that one additional point now from somewhere and we’ve got a few meetings to get that.”

SETTLED PANTHERS WIN!
PETERBOROUGH are off the bottom of the table after Monday’s impressive home win over Sheffield.
The Panthers had gone down by just six points at Owlerton in a Round 2 fixture last week, but the return Round 1 match saw them overcome a 14-point deficit for the aggregate point, with summer signings Vadim Tarasenko and Patryk Wojdylo both impressing.

Manager Rob Lyon said: “It shows what a settled team can do around here, and I’m really pleased for them.
“I’m pleased for the fans too – it’s nice to get a win under our belts, and it was great to get the aggregate point as well and not just the win.”

HOMECOMING FOR LAMBERT
KING’S Lynn will welcome Robert Lambert back to the Adrian Flux Arena when he lines up against Belle Vue on Thursday.
Lambert has returned to his first UK club and after appearing for the Stars at the NSS on Monday, he is now set race at the Norfolk venue for the first time in four years.

Promoter Dale Allitt said: “Robert is loved by everyone at King’s Lynn. He’s done so much from his first meetings back in 2013 in the National League, and it’s been a pleasure to watch his development into one of the best riders in the World.
“We have six matches remaining, a couple of them at home, and when you look at the teams we are facing, the prospect of Robert taking on Dan Bewley and Brady Kurtz (Belle Vue) and then Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov (Ipswich) around King’s Lynn is very much one to look forward to.”

LIONS UNDER PRESSURE
LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson is urging his side not to blow their play-off chances over the next fortnight.
The Lions suffered a second successive home defeat when they were beaten 51-39 by Wolverhampton last Thursday, and that makes their busy Bank Holiday weekend schedule crucial.

Dickson said: “Unfortunately there’s a slump somewhere and we need to get our motivation back, and when I say that I mean all of us. I’m not making excuses, and there has been a bit of disruption with the team personnel, but really the 5-1 in Heat 15 made the scoreline look a bit better than what it actually was.
“We’re going to have to knuckle down, maybe a practice day, and do something to get the spark back. We need to make sure we don’t blow this – we always said it was about reaching the top four, and we’re now hanging on and need a couple more home wins.”

THE WEEK AHEAD… The race for the play-offs intensifies with a crunch clash between Ipswich and Leicester on Thursday, whilst Sheffield host Wolverhampton, and Robert Lambert makes his return to the Adrian Flux Arena as King’s Lynn face Belle Vue… Leicester then take on Sheffield on Saturday… A packed Bank Holiday Monday kicks off with Belle Vue v Leicester at midday, whilst the Lions then host King’s Lynn and Wolverhampton take on Sheffield (both 8pm) – and Peterborough and Ipswich also resolve their KO Cup semi-final.

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP NEWSROUND…

SUPPORT FOR LUKE
OXFORD manager Peter Schroeck had consoling words for Luke Killeen after breaking the news that 16-year-old Ashton Boughen would replace him in the Cheetahs’ side.
Schroeck said: “Naturally, he was gutted when we told him the news. But he respected our decision which to me is the sign of a true professional and he will be a major part of our team building plans for 2024 so we can continue our record of helping young riders to progress.
“He has a wise head on young shoulders and we know he has the talent to help take the Chargers into the National League play-offs.”

BEARS ARE BUILDING
REDCAR boss Gavin Parr is confident his team will come good at the right time as they look to secure major silverware in the closing stages of the campaign.
Parr said: “I’m confident that over two legs, we have a good chance of getting the required result against the teams we will face later this season.
“We matched Poole throughout most of the meeting (last Wednesday), we just had a bit of a mid-meeting collapse which cost us. I do think if we had Charles (Wright) that collapse may not have happened.”

COLES SIDELINED
BERWICK reserve Connor Coles suffered a broken collarbone and humerus in a crash during Saturday’s defeat to Glasgow.
Coles came to grief in Heat 12 of a meeting which completed another tough weekend for the Shielfield Park side, as they lost out home and away to the Tigers.
Bandits boss Kevin Little said: “Obviously our thoughts are with Connor who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. “He really was worth much more than his final points tally and I would say that there were two or three other Bandits in the same category.”

BRUMMIES ONE SHORT?
BIRMINGHAM boss Stewart Dickson saw his side suffer a second successive 46-44 defeat to Redcar last Friday as they performed strongly at the ECCO Arena – but were unable to add points to their recent away win at Berwick.

Dickson said: “The plan was to be competitive, and I think we’re now doing that, I don’t think folk are saying ‘it’s only Birmingham coming to our track this week’ and that’s what we’ve tried to do.
“We’re one rider short, but I suppose every team manager in the league says they’re one rider short – but we gave a good account of ourselves.”

PIRATES GO FOR JOE
POOLE promoter Danny Ford says the chance to return to a settled line-up was key to the decision to bring in Joe Thompson to replace the injured Adam Roynon.
Ford said: “Searching for suitable guests is no easy task and a different face in the pits every meeting is not ideal, particularly for team morale, so hopefully having Joe in on a permanent basis we will be able to forge a strong team off track as well as on. “Obviously it is hard luck on Adam, but being uncertain of when he would be fit enough to return and with league matches, two legs of the KO Cup Final and the play-offs all to come and with the signing deadline rapidly approaching, we knew we had to act sooner rather than later.”

UP AGAINST THE ODDS
EDINBURGH boss John Campbell admitted the long trip to Poole on Sunday was always going to present a tough encounter.
The Monarchs operated rider replacement for the injured Craig Cook and went down to a 59-31 defeat, which coupled with a home loss to Oxford on Friday leaves them still hanging on in the play-off race.

Campbell said: “We’ve had a tough season. You can’t come to probably the best team in the league when you’ve got your No. 1 missing and no suitable guest, without it being a very difficult match. We did get one or two decisions going against us.”

NO GO NOWAK
GLASGOW have reported the departure of Marcin Nowak with a new signing ready to be announced.
Nowak is to focus on his Polish commitments having left the Tigers after their win at Berwick last weekend.
Boss Cami Brown told the club website: “I have to say we are pretty devastated about it. Marcin has been brilliant about it all along.
“I just want to make clear my gratitude to Marcin, there’s no bad feeling in any way. It’s something he had to do unfortunately.
“We didn’t want to lose him and he didn’t want to leave us. Marcin is a great guy and we wish him all the very best.”

CALL FOR CONSISTENCY

SCUNTHORPE skipper Simon Lambert says the Scorpions have plenty to go for as they remain in the battle for honours.
Lambert said: “We do need consistency from us all. I still believe this team can win the play-offs if all seven of us hit the jackpot at the same time. We should still make the play-offs; we’ve just got a little work to do.

“We’ll reset and go again at Birmingham on Wednesday when we’ll have seven of our own riders for the first time in a while and our season starts there, and we’ll be looking to pick ourselves up and win that meeting.”

THE WEEK AHEAD… GLASGOW face three away matches in four nights as they visit Plymouth on Tuesday, Poole on Wednesday and Scunthorpe on Friday… Wednesday’s schedule also includes Scunthorpe’s visit to Birmingham… Edinburgh host a double header against Poole and Birmingham on Friday, whilst Oxford host Plymouth.

ALSO… REDCAR play host to the Championship League Riders’ Championship with the event taking place at the ECCO Arena on Sunday.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE NEWSROUND…

CHARGERS GROUNDED
OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck says his side must maintain their focus to secure their place in the Grand Final.
The Chargers are unbeaten in seven NDL matches and face Berwick on Wednesday before a showdown at rivals Leicester on Saturday.

Schroeck said: “Sunday’s win at Kent was great for the team and spirits remain high in the camp. But the job is far from done yet with four teams still pitching for a spot in the Grand Final so we’re remaining grounded and level-headed knowing there’s a job to do.”

FEN TIGERS MISS OUT
MILDENHALL suffered a further blow to their play-off hopes with defeat at Kent on Sunday – a result which became more damaging when rivals Oxford then won in the second meeting of a double header.
Fen Tigers boss Jason Gardner was left frustrated by events in the very first race when the Royals’ Ben Morley suffered mechanical trouble but was able to take the re-run.

Gardner said: “I spoke to the ref and he said that in this case Morley was, though slowing through some mechanical problem, still technically under power. 
“I can see that but he certainly wasn’t racing, and the majority of times there’s such an incident it leads to a rider in that position being excluded from the subsequent re-run. It was an early blow to see a 5-0 turned into a 3-3 and clearly ended up being decisive in the final mix.”

WILLIS PROUD OF ROYALS
KENT manager Jamie Willis praised the efforts of his side in Sunday’s double header at Iwade, where they secured a victory over Mildenhall.
The Royals couldn’t follow that up in the second match against high-flying Oxford, but Willis said it was still a good day’s work.
He said: “I’m delighted with the performance of our boys today, they gave it their all. Both rider and machines deserve a well-earned rest after this afternoon.

“We were quietly confident that we could pick up some league points and the riders certainly showed that they believed it too.”

THE WEEK AHEAD… OXFORD could go to the top of the NDL table as they host Berwick on Wednesday prior to their showdown with current leaders Leicester in the East Midlands on Saturday… Meanwhile Belle Vue and Workington meet home and away this weekend, starting at the NSS on Friday before the return at Northside the following day.

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY AUGUST 22:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth (35) v Glasgow (55) 7pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham (39) v Scunthorpe (51) 7.30, Poole (44) v Glasgow (46) 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford (46) v Berwick (44) 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 24:
SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2: Ipswich (53) v Leicester (37) 7.30, King’s Lynn (27) v Belle Vue (57) 7.30, Sheffield v Wolverhampton 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 25:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh (31) v Poole (59) 7pm, Edinburgh (54) v Birmingham (36) (follows previous fixture), Oxford (47) v Plymouth (42) 7.30, Scunthorpe (28) v Glasgow (38) 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Workington 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 26:
SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2: Leicester (36) v Sheffield (54) 6.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Leicester (39) v Oxford (50) (follows previous fixture), Workington v Belle Vue 3pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar 5pm

MONDAY AUGUST 28:
SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2: Belle Vue (38) v Leicester (52) 12pm, Leicester (46) v King’s Lynn (44) 8pm, Wolverhampton v Sheffield 8pm
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Peterborough (33) v Ipswich (57) 7.30

TUESDAY AUGUST 29:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Edinburgh 7pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole (54) v Birmingham (36) 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 31:
SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2: Peterborough (45) v Wolverhampton (45) 7.30, Sheffield (57) v King’s Lynn (33) 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1:
CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: Oxford 7pm

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2:
FIM BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Cardiff 5pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4:
SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2: King’s Lynn (39) v Ipswich (51), Peterborough (42) v Sheffield (48) 7.30, Wolverhampton (51) v Leicester (39) 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Oxford (45) v Scunthorpe (45) 7.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7pm