BRITISH SPEEDWAY SOLOS JUNE 20

Date: Sunday June 20, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

THREE Great Britain riders have qualified for the Grand Prix Challenge after a successful day of World Championship action.
Dan Bewley made it through the Glasgow qualifier, holding his nerve to win a run-off for the final place with Rasmus Jensen after both riders scored 11 points.
Tobiasz Musielak with a 15-point maximum, Chris Holder and Nicolai Klindt were the other three riders to progress from Ashfield.
Meanwhile Robert Lambert was successful in Croatia, finishing third in a meeting where only three places were available – winning a three-man run-off to clinch his place.
And Adam Ellis finished third in Italy and was another rider successful in a run-off, this time to clinch a place on the podium.
All three progress to the GP Challenge in Slovenia in August, whilst fellow GB racers Charles Wright and Lewis Kerr scored seven and six points respectively at Glasgow.
And there was a sensational appearance at reserve by Tom Brennan, who took four rides after Bradley Wilson-Dean and Tero Aarnio were withdrawn from the meeting, with the Eastbourne and Belle Vue youngster accumulating a remarkable nine points including a race win over Holder.

(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEICESTER defeated Redar 51-39 in the Championship with youngster Dan Thompson starring with a 13-point haul at reserve.
Thompson won four races and was involved in three key 5-1s for the Lions in the first half of the meeting, whilst skipper Kyle Howarth (11+2) and Ryan Douglas (11+1) also hit double-figures.
Guest Richard Lawson scored 11 for the Bears and Michael Palm Toft added 10+1 but they fell short of a league point at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “Redcar are one of the fancied teams, but we re-iterated what I’d said during the week when we were on the track walk, the riders were up for it, and to send Redcar away pointless was pleasing.
“There were many people who doubted me putting the twins in – I think they can see now that we do have something special.
“Obviously Dan will get the plaudits tonight, but Joe also scored paid-seven, and eight points here last week, so they’re taking turns and it’s great to see. Long may the two of them continue in that form.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

NATHAN Greaves scored a 15-point maximum as Armadale edged out Belle Vue 48-42 in the National Development League.
Both teams held the lead at some stage but the Devils ended on top with the Colts claiming a league point despite the first-ride withdrawal of Ben Woodhull. Reserve Harry McGurk impressed with 13+3 for the visitors.
Armadale boss Alan Budzynski said: “I was delighted to get the win against a good team such as Belle Vue.
“I was pleased that our second strings are starting to put together some good rides, I have said previously that all it needed was patience. The whole team worked together well in the pits.”
Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “All of the boys put in a solid effort. We certainly can’t fault their performance and we are just so glad to have taken a point from this meeting.
“We don’t believe Ben has broken anything, but he was in a lot of discomfort, and we think it is soft tissue damage to his arm. But we have a break from racing now so hopefully that will help.
“A few things didn’t go our way that, if they did, I’m confident we could have come away with all three, maybe even four, points but we are still delighted with this result.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

NEWCASTLE have booked Steve Worrall to guest for the injured Ben Barker in today’s (Sunday) home clash with Leicester.
The Diamonds also operate rider-replacement for Adam Roynon and hand new signing Jack Parkinson-Blackburn a debut at reserve. The Lions operate r/r for the injured Josh Bates.
Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “We are going there to try and get a win, and that’s the bottom line.
“They are strong in the reserve department with James Wright, which was something we used on Saturday to our advantage, and that will mean it might well be a tougher meeting for the twins.
“Bringing in Stevie Worrall does strengthen them, but I think being without Adam Roynon may hinder them because he’s been riding well and scored ten points in his last home match.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

SCUNTHORPE aim to become only the second team to defeat Glasgow this season when the sides meet at the Eddie Wright Raceway today (Sunday).
The Scorpions have three home wins to their name so far but face their biggest test yet, and have booked former favourite Jake Allen to guest for No.1 Josh Auty who is out under concussion protocol.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Glasgow have made a flying start to the season, but they suffered their first defeat away at Redcar last Sunday, when they conceded 5-1s in each of the last two heats to lose 43-47.
“They will obviously give us a proper test on Sunday afternoon, but we’ve brought in Jake as a guest which is something of an obvious move after Josh was ruled out.
“It promises to be a fantastic meeting between the two sides who are first and second in the league.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

MILDENHALL kick off their home league season with the visit of Eastbourne in the National Development League today (Sunday).
The Fen Tigers are at full strength after Luke Muff was declared fit following his crash in Wednesday’s draw at Leicester, whilst the Seagulls operate rider-replacement for the unavailable Chad Wirtzfeld.
Home boss Malcolm Vasey said: “The lads will need to be at their best from the start and put our visitors to the sword from the opening races.
“I saw a strong mentality and great team spirit led by Jordan (Jenkins) on Wednesday and with that same attitude on Sunday I am confident we can come away with the points.
“With Newcastle sadly withdrawing from the league we are down to 12 meetings in this league season so we certainly can’t afford any slip-ups.”
Eastbourne co-promoter Lee Kilby said: “The club are really proud of the way the Seagulls have started the campaign with a losing bonus point at Leicester and two points for a draw at Kent.
“Our aim, as always with away matches, whether it’s the Eagles or Seagulls, is to come back with league points.
“A win at Mildenhall would be good but they have two of the league’s top riders in our asset Jason Edwards and Jordan Jenkins.”

(SPEEDWAY 7)

SCUNTHORPE host the first round of the 2021 British Youth Championship at 125cc level today (Sunday) after their league clash with Glasgow.
GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “For this group it has been a long wait for the first round, but Scunthorpe will be a great place for them to start their Championship, as all the riders are familiar with the circuit.
“With the top riders from the 2020 series all moving up this year, this will be a new group competing for this year’s Championship so an exciting series ahead.
“The group is split into two classes, and it would be impossible to predict a winner at the end of this year’s series, as traditionally this is the class where the riders make the biggest improvements.
“As well as some seasoned regulars there are several newcomers competing today so an exciting afternoon not only for the riders and their families, but for me as well.
“Our thanks to the Scunthorpe promotion for their continued support of British Youth Speedway.”

(SPEEDWAY 8)

ARMADALE will be making a team change with Sheldon Davies leaving the National Development League side.
Davies scored two points in what turned out to be his final appearance for the Devils in Saturday’s win over Belle Vue.
Manager Alan Budzynski said: “Sheldon is a trier and I’d like to thank him for his persistence and support. He needs to work a bit on his speed and maybe we were asking a little too much of him.
“Although people say this league is not about results, it isn’t fair on the heat-leaders to be asking them to take so much of the load. We wish Sheldon all the luck in his future career.”

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY JUNE 20:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Leicester 4pm, Scunthorpe v Glasgow 3pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Eastbourne 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Scunthorpe (125cc/150cc) (follows Champ fixture)

MONDAY JUNE 21:
PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30

TUESDAY JUNE 22:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Plymouth v Poole 7pm