BRITISH SPEEDWAY MARCH 22, 2024

(SPEEDWAY 1)

OXFORD’S CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES

OXFORD defeated champions Sheffield in front of a packed Cowley crowd to make it two wins out of two in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
The Spires took the meeting 47-43 after racing into a ten-point advantage inside ten heats before the Tigers fought back in the closing stages.

Charles Wright bounced back from his crash last week to top score for the hosts with 11 points, whilst Rohan Tungate and captain Chris Harris both scored nine.
Tai Woffinden led the way for the visitors with 12 from six rides, despite mechanical gremlins in one outing, whilst Jack Holder bounced back from a slow start to score 9+1.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “We knew Sheffield would bring some firepower to the meeting and they did just that.
“They were on it from the start despite not having a practice together – so we had to race hard and respond, which is what the boys did.

“We ran three last places all night, which ultimately has won us the meeting. It was a real team performance and the boys stuck together which I’m pleased to see – and again the support on the terraces was outstanding, which always helps.”
Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “I thought we were unlucky. We were a little bit rusty in the early heats, we had a few dropped points, and we were a little bit unfortunate with an electrical failure for Tai – if that had finished how the race was preceding, then we’d have had a draw.

“It was a difficult one having not had a practice ourselves, going straight into somewhere that was new to a lot of the lads and against a team who have had one meeting here already on top of a full day of practice last week.
“We came back at them though and we looked better overall as the meeting went on, so there are positives we can take from this first one, and that’s what I’d like us to focus on.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

IPSWICH overcame the absence of former World Champion Jason Doyle to defeat Belle Vue 51-39 in a strong opening-night performance at Foxhall.
Doyle was missing due to personal reasons but the Witches still got off to a winning start in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership, pulling clear after the scores had been level after the first six races.

Emil Sayfutdinov (12+1) and captain Danny King (11+2) both scored paid-13 whilst Adam Ellis enjoyed a successful debut with 7+1 after finishing last in Heat 1.
The Aces’ scoring was dominated by skipper Brady Kurtz, who won four races to finish on 13, whilst Dan Bewley collected nine including a stunning win from the back over Sayfutdinov and Ellis, and new signing Connor Mountain impressed at reserve with seven.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I’m really happy, it was certainly a tricky night and a potential banana skin against a very good Belle Vue team. We coped with them well and improved during the meeting, every single rider. It was everything I could have asked for from an opening night.
“Everyone scored and everyone contributed, nobody struggled throughout the meeting consistently. Losing Doyley is a massive blow to our team, but Scott (Nicholls) came in and did a really good job and I’m really happy he could guest. His contribution took the pressure off the other boys.

“It was great to see a good crowd in for opening night giving us good backing and I’m sure they were all entertained again, and we have got a long season ahead, but it was a positive start.”
Mountain said: “I don’t want to get too carried away, but I think that’s the best I’ve ever scored around Ipswich, and I’m very proud of that!

“It’s not only our first away match, but our first match as a team and it’s always a tough one to break the ice, especially when you’re away from home.
“I think we can be pleased with this result. Obviously we wanted to win but at the same time, we’re only down by 12 on aggregate and that puts us in a great position for the return leg.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

LEICESTER held off a concerted challenge from King’s Lynn to record a 47-42 home win over the Stars in their opening ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture.
The Lions recovered from conceding a controversial 0-5 in Heat 2 when both reserves were disqualified, and they regained the lead with a 5-1 of their own in the next race as the visitors suffered their own misfortune.

The hosts maintained a narrow advantage throughout but only made things virtually safe with a 4-2 from impressive debutant Luke Becker (11+2) and Drew Kemp in Heat 14, leaving them just requiring a finisher in the final race.
Richard Lawson added 11 for the Lions whilst Vadim Tarasenko collected 10+1 for the Stars, including a terrific effort to pass Max Fricke and Ryan Douglas in Heat 13.

Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “A home match on the first night is always a potential banana skin. We won by five points and I would have taken that before the start, I have to be honest about that.
“We got there. There were one or two difficult moments for us in the meeting, they were coming back into it and I was never quite sure that we were going to win, but we got there in the end.

“There were some good performances and one or two of the other guys had some teething problems, but it’s early days without making any excuses. It’s a win, and that’s what we wanted.”
Stars boss Rob Lyon said: “I was very happy with the performance. We knew going into Heat 15 that gate four was the best, and Tarasenko had ridden a blinder in Heat 13 so at the very least I was expecting a 3-3, and it proved that way.

“To come away five points down and take it back to King’s Lynn, we stand a very good chance of getting the aggregate point, and that will be crucial this year.
“Getting three points out of each set of home and away matches is going to get us to the play-offs, so I’m happy with that. It’s a good first meeting for us, there were a few gremlins from the boys but overall I’m pleased.”

(FIXTURES)

MONDAY MARCH 25:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHP R1: Birmingham v Sheffield 7.30

THURSDAY MARCH 28:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Ipswich v Birmingham 7.30, King’s Lynn (42) v Leicester (47) 7.30, Sheffield (43) v Oxford (47) 7.30

FRIDAY MARCH 29:
BSN SERIES: Poole v Oxford 7.30, Scunthorpe v Workington 5.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 1pm
TYNE/TEES TROPHY: Redcar v Newcastle Select 7.30