BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 27, 2024

(SPEEDWAY 1)

ENGLAND’S GP HOPES

BELLE Vue’s Dan Bewley and Sheffield’s Tai Woffinden launch their World Championship campaigns when the Grand Prix series kicks off in Croatia.

Great Britain stars Bewley, Woffinden and Robert Lambert are all full-time members of the field, with the title to be decided over eleven rounds this season as Bartosz Zmarzlik defends the crown.
Both Bewley and Lambert are looking to reach the overall top three for the first time, Bewley having won three GPs in the last two seasons, whilst Woffinden seeks to recapture the form which took him to three World titles.

Said Bewley: “The end of the (2023) season wasn’t what I would have liked. But it wasn’t a bad year – I got a win in Malilla.
“There are a lot of things to build on and a lot of things to be excited about for the new season.”
Woffinden said: “They are all beatable and they are all there to be beaten. I look forward to the challenge. You try and beat not only Bartosz; you try and beat them all. It’s as simple as that.
“Everyone is there to be beaten and everyone can be beaten. You just have to do it regularly.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

EDINBURGH are set to battle out BSN Series qualification with Glasgow after overcoming Berwick 53-37 at Armadale on Friday.
Both Scottish sides have now taken home wins and the aggregate point over the Bandits, meaning the aggregate outcome between the Monarchs and the Tigers when they meet in re-arranged fixtures will be crucial.

The hosts were comfortable winners in their home season opener, as Josh Pickering, Justin Sedgmen (both 12+1) and Kye Thomson (10) all scored heavily, with the aggregate point in the bag with two races to spare.
But the Bandits were badly hampered when middle-order duo Jye Etheridge and Drew Kemp were both withdrawn after colliding in Heat 7. Rory Schlein top-scored with 13 points, showing he still has expertise of Armadale.
Edinburgh manager Alex Harkess said: “That was just what we were looking for, they were really fighting for everything, so determined. “They were just never going to give up and I never doubted they would take the points. Everyone did their bit.”
Berwick boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was one of those nights when everything seemed to go against us.
“Losing Jye and Drew was a big blow and stretched our resources but the remaining five got their heads down and worked hard for their points.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

GLASGOW established a handy 12-point lead over Oxford with a 51-39 win in the first leg of their Cab Direct KO Cup tie at Ashfield.
The Cheetahs were actually leading on the night after seven races, but the Tigers recorded three 5-1s in a five-race spell to turn the meeting and take the edge in the contest.

That was despite the loss of reserve Ace Pijper with a suspected broken wrist, whilst guest Jack Smith proved a trump card with 10+2 in support of captain Chris Harris with 11+1.
Scott Nicholls (10+1) and Sam Masters (10) both hit double figures for the Cheetahs, who will look to respond at Cowley on Wednesday.

Glasgow boss Cami Brown said: “It was looking difficult early on when we lost Ace. But Jack was sensational and all the boys stepped up their game to put Oxford under so much pressure.
“They are a very good side but we have managed to deliver something to defend at their place on Wednesday.
“To be honest I’ve never seen Jack ride that well. He was the match winner and James Pearson also produced two brilliant 5-1s as well and Leon Flint was excellent. It was a really gutsy performance.”

Nicholls said: “Glasgow are very strong around here. We had a couple of mechanical issues, but overall we can have no complaints, because the best team on the night won.
“We’ve left ourselves with a slightly bigger hill to climb than we’d liked for the second leg at Oxford next week, but it’s still very much within our reach.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

REDCAR overcame another setback for No.1 Danny King to defeat Workington 51-38 at the ECCO Arena and put themselves in a good position in the Cab Direct KO Cup. Both sides had a rider withdrawn with King and Tate Zischke both coming to grief in Heat 1, and Zischke took no further part after his second outing.

Charles Wright piled up 16 points from six rides for the Bears and Connor Bailey hit form with 13, whilst Troy Batchelor won his last three rides for the Comets to end on 12.

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BERWICK expect to be without Jye Etheridge as they go into Cab Direct KO Cup action against holders Scunthorpe tonight (Saturday).
Etheridge crashed out of the Bandits’ BSN Series defeat at Edinburgh on Friday and was left with back and neck stiffness although Drew Kemp, who was involved in the same incident, is expected to take his place.

The home side are set to use rider replacement for Etheridge with Richard Lawson guesting for injured No.1 Lewis Kerr, and the visitors bring in Jack Smith for Nathan Ablitt at reserve.
Berwick manager Stewart Dickson said: “I have a figure in mind that would be a good lead to take to the Eddie Wright Raceway.

“But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First and foremost we have to make sure we win. Only then can we start setting targets for a lead.”
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We will go into the meeting at Berwick with a positive attitude. Winning the away leg would put us in charge of the quarter-final.
“We are the defending champions of the Knockout Cup, and Simon Lambert and the rest of the lads are up for winning it again this season.
“We’ve already got past Plymouth and it is one step at a time – we now need to concentrate on making sure we beat Berwick.”

(FIXTURES)

SATURDAY APRIL 27:
CAB DIRECT KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm 

SUNDAY APRIL 28:
BSN SERIES: Workington v Scunthorpe 3.30

MONDAY APRIL 29:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30

TUESDAY APRIL 30:
BRITISH UNDER-21 QUALIFIER: Plymouth 7pm