BRITISH SPEEDWAY MARCH 25, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

BELLE Vue have signed Australian racer Jake Allen on a short-term contract ahead of their League Cup opener against Sheffield on Monday.

Allen, who was with Premiership rivals Ipswich last season, comes in for the Aces whilst they assess their options prior to the start of league competition.
CEO Mark Lemon said: “Finally, after what seems like an impossible international rider search, we have given Jake a chance to showcase his abilities.

“He joins us on a short-term contract from Scunthorpe while we consider our available options going forward, but I really believe in his talent.
“I have worked with Jake before on an international level and I see no reason why he can’t push on and show me why he shouldn’t remain with us longer-term.

“He is more than capable of being a competitive rider at Premiership level and, whilst ongoing conversations continue, I am keen to see what he can do.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

JACK Holder opened his 2022 campaign in style with victory in the Todd Kurtz Testimonial at Sheffield.

Fresh from his full-time Grand Prix call-up, the Tigers No.1 headed an all-Australian Final ahead of Brady Kurtz and Sam Masters, who completed the rostrum finishers.

Meanwhile, former World Champion Jason Doyle scored a 15-point maximum in the qualifiers, before crashing spectacularly in the Final.

Testimonial man Kurtz, who signed off his career in the same event, said: “I’d like to thank all the fans and everyone here at Sheffield Speedway for making this happen.

“It was a shame Doyley crashed in the Final how he did, that wasn’t what anyone wanted to see, but he was able to walk away and fingers crossed he’ll be alright.

“Overall, the weather’s been perfect, the track was great and the 16 legends back in the pits put on a real good show for everyone, so I couldn’t ask for much more.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

REDCAR and Newcastle meet in the first team action of 2022 at the ECCO Arena tonight (Friday).
The first leg of the Tyne/Tees Trophy features several new faces, with Adam Roynon switching clubs from the Diamonds to the Bears over the winter, whilst heat-leader Erik Riss returns to the Redcar fold and Jason Edwards makes his first appearance.

Newcastle hand a debut to Bradley Wilson-Dean at No.1 and newcomer George Congreve at reserve, with Lee Complin making his return to the sport after coming out of retirement.

Roynon said: “I’m more than looking forward to getting started. The team is a proper side and everything at Redcar is a welcome change from what I have experienced in the last few years, this club is going places and it’s up to the seven riders to continue that upward trajectory.

“At the press and practice weekend we all had a good laugh, there’s no egos within the side, everyone is gelling well, and Redcar is a happy place to be. 2022 is going to be a great season and that will all start on Friday.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

BIRMINGHAM have named Ashley Morris as their new captain ahead of the Championship season.
The Wolverhampton-born racer takes over from Chris Harris, who joined Berwick over the winter, with James Shanes again named vice-captain.

Morris said: “Of course it was nice to be asked, and I accepted straight away.
“At the end of the day though, it doesn’t matter whether I’m captain or not because I’m always wanting to make sure the rest of the lads in the team are feeling good, checking that they’re okay with set-ups, that we’re all on the same wavelength and things like that.

“It doesn’t change anything too much for me with the way I am around the pits anyway, it just means I need to get a few coin tosses right before each meeting!

“But no, to be asked to do the role officially feels good and I’m just looking forward to getting going, working with the lads and spending another season with Birmingham.”

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY MARCH 25:
TYNE/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30

SATURDAY MARCH 26:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Leicester v Birmingham 7pm

SUNDAY MARCH 27:
BEN FUND BONANZA: Peterborough 2pm