March 12, 2024

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MARCH 11, 2024: BOOEY BACK IN CHARGE

SPEEDWAY 1)

WRIGHT ON COURSE WITH OXFORD

OXFORD newcomer Charles Wright says he is in good shape for the start of the season after serious injury curtailed his 2023 campaign.

Wright missed Belle Vue’s play-off semi-final defeat after the smash in Poland, and has now moved on to join the Spires after spending the last three years with the Aces.
And he will have an early start to 2024 racing as Oxford launch their Premiership campaign at home to Birmingham on Thursday.

Wright said: “I’ve had a couple of practice sessions at Workington and Belle Vue and feel ready to go.
“Obviously the end to last season was far from ideal, but my body feels good and all the equipment is prepped for Wednesday’s first practice.

“It has been a race against time to get fit. I’ve had to train hard behind the scenes which has required a lot of determination and willpower, but I’ve used my knowledge from working with good people previously to push myself on.
“It’s good we’ll have the opportunity to get out on track ahead of Birmingham’s visit. I’m excited to meet all the boys and hopefully we can pick up our first win of the year.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEGENDARY former Sheffield manager Eric Boocock will be back in the hot seat for one night only at Owlerton this Thursday.
Boocock, who also had a spell in charge of the national team, will oversee the Rest of the World side in Kyle Howarth’s Testimonial as original boss David Howe is ruled out due to other commitments.

It means Tigers chief Simon Stead will be going up against his old manager, and he said: “Personally, I love Eric.
“I rode under him at a couple of clubs and he’s a great guy who had a lot of influence on me throughout my career.
“So Eric is someone I’ve always held in high regard and had a great deal of respect for. It’s going to be great fun locking heads for Kyle’s Testimonial on Thursday.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SHELDON Davies will make a return to the sport this season after completing the combined Scunthorpe/Sheffield side in the WSRA National Development League.
Davies previously rode for Birmingham, Cradley and Edinburgh between 2018 and 2021, and the 23-year-old completes a youthful Stags/Prowlers septet.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We always said that the last spot was open to a rider who impressed at the Eddie Wright Raceway and that’s exactly how Sheldon claimed his team place.
“We’ve had a bit of a nightmare with the weather this winter which has washed out our Amateur meetings, but Simon Lambert invited Sheldon over to the EWR. I liked what I saw, so did Simon, and we’ve given him the opportunity.

“Sheldon lives in Hull, so he’s another local connection for the team. He’s got good equipment and good backing, plus he’s not a complete rookie when it comes to National League racing.
“I believe our side is going to be very attractive to watch, with some cracking British prospects.”
SCUNTHORPE/SHEFFIELD 2024 (Subject to approval): Nathan Ablitt 8.49, Luke Harrison 6.86, Ace Pijper 5.81, Mickie Simpson 4.23, Sheldon Davies 3.00, Stene Pijper 3.00, Kean Dicken 3.00.

(FIXTURES)

THURSDAY MARCH 14:
PREMIERSHIP R1: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30, Oxford v Birmingham 7.30
KYLE HOWARTH TESTIMONIAL: Sheffield 7.30