BRITISH SPEEDWAY JUNE 14, 2022

Photo: by Jeff Davies

(SPEEDWAY 1)

PETERBOROUGH DEFEATS SHEFFIELD

PETERBOROUGH defeated Sheffield in the Premiership’s first-ever Super Heat as the reigning champions finally got off the mark for 2022.
A dramatic contest saw the Panthers pull back from eight points down and go ahead, but a 4-2 for the Tigers in Heat 15 as Jack Holder just held off Chris Harris meant the scores were tied at 45-45.

That set up the extra race to decide the league points, which initially looked set to go Sheffield’s way as Holder and Tobiasz Musielak held second and third places behind Michael Palm Toft – enough to take the verdict in a Pairs heat – but Harris stormed past Musielak on the third lap to win it for the home side.

Palm Toft scored 10+1 and Harris 10 in the regular meeting, with Ulrich Ostergaard returning to form on 9+1, whilst Musielak (11) and Holder (10+2) led the way for the Tigers.

Peterborough boss Rob Lyon said: “I have to be honest and say when we were eight points down and just clinging to their shirt tails, I couldn’t see where a win was coming from.
“But the way the boys responded in the second half of the meeting was pretty much what we saw last year many, many times.

“We needed that result, I’m really happy with the boys, and it’s a big relief to get some points on the board, because it becomes a psychological issue after a period of time when you can’t get off the mark.”
Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “It was disappointing that we sort of fell short in the latter heats.

“I can’t quite believe it to be honest, because we’ve done so much throughout the meeting; they’ve had to use a tactical substitute, but we’ve nullified that.
“The two 5-1s against [Heats 13 and 14] didn’t do us any favours at all and put us on the back foot. In the end, I think we did well to take it to a super heat, but we have to take it on the chin unfortunately.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

BELLE Vue finally ended their Wolverhampton hoodoo and went back to the top of the Premiership with a 51-39 win at the National Speedway Stadium.
Matej Zagar scored a 15-point maximum for the Aces, who quickly recovered from conceding a 5-1 in Heat 1 to take control of the meeting.

Zagar was backed up by skipper Brady Kurtz on 10+1, whilst Sam Masters (10+2) and Ryan Douglas (10+1) both hit double figures for Wolves, who missed out on an away point for the first time of the season.
Nick Morris was withdrawn for the visitors after suffering a badly grazed arm in a Heat 6 spill.

Zagar said: “Before the meeting, we were speaking on the track walk and the boys were saying how we hadn’t won against Wolverhampton for some years.
“So this was a great turnaround for us today. We won the meeting by a significant amount and that’s the main thing for us, to keep winning especially at home.

“I don’t remember the last time I got a full maximum at Belle Vue, if I even have had a full maximum at Belle Vue so it was a great night for me and a great win for the team.”

Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “We knew before we kicked off that this would be a difficult fixture for us because they’ve strengthened their team significantly with Zagar – and you saw the score he returned.

“They’ll be a handful around here all season long and when you look at the scorechart, we actually won the second half of the meeting from Heat 8 onwards.
“We’re not downhearted at all, I thought we were very creditable here despite not taking any points.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

OXFORD have signed Aaron Summers as injury cover for Jack Thomas, who broke both wrists in a crash at King’s Lynn on Thursday.
Experienced Australian racer Summers announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 season with Berwick, but has now agreed to make a comeback with the Cowley club.

Summers said: “It’s really unfortunate what happened to Jack, and I wish him a speedy recovery.
“Speedway has been very good to me through my career, and despite announcing my retirement last year I still feel I have something to give to the sport.

“Oxford’s return this season has really captured the imagination of speedway fans locally and across the UK. The opportunity to fill in for Jack was offered to me and I simply had to take it.
“I was pleased with my scoring towards the end of last season and hope to carry that form forwards with the Cheetahs. I’d like to thank the club for this opportunity and look forward to meeting the fanbase very soon.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

LUKE Killeen has received the go-ahead to make his competitive UK speedway debut when Oxford head to Plymouth tonight (Tuesday).

The 17-year-old has been absent so far this season due to a delay in receiving a British passport, but the paperwork is now in place and he will line up for the Chargers at the Coliseum.
Killeen said: “It’s been a frustrating period, but to finally get the green light to go racing is a great feeling.

“There’s been a lot sitting around and waiting for paperwork to be finished but I’ve made sure to put the time to use.
“Racing at Pinjar Park quickly taught me how to turn the bike, so Plymouth’s tight and technical track should not be a barrier for me. It doesn’t even feel real that I’m about to make my competitive debut.

“It’s been my goal and dream ever since I was a kid and first starting out in the sport. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself, but hopefully I can go out there and do a job.”

The Centurions track Alfie Bowtell as a guest for Dan Gilkes, with Ben Phillips and Rhys Naylor included in their top five, whilst Nathan Stoneman is ruled out injured for the Chargers, who bring in Nathan Ablitt to guest. They operate rider replacement for the retired Ben Hopwood.
*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.gladiatorslive.com

(FIXTURES)

TUESDAY JUNE 14:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Plymouth v Oxford 7pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Plymouth 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 16:
PREMIERSHIP PAIRS Round 2: Ipswich 7.30

FRIDAY JUNE 17:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Oxford 7.30, Scunthorpe v Poole 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Mildenhall 7.30