BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 10, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

SELL-OUT CROWD ANTICIPATED

OXFORD co-boss Peter Schroeck believes Friday’s Championship League Pairs will serve as a celebration of the sport’s successful return to Cowley this season.

The Cheetahs and Chargers have played host to big crowds in 2022 and a bumper turn-out is expected for the showpiece event with all ten Championship clubs represented.
Schroeck said: “It’s been wonderful to see thousands of people supporting the return of Oxford Speedway every week.

“We anticipated a sell-out crowd initially, and our challenge was to retain that level of engagement through the summer especially while children were at school.

“Last week’s visit of Poole was one of our most entertaining fixtures of the year. Of course, we were disappointed not to pinch a win at the end, but everyone left on a high knowing speedway was the winner.

“The sport has experienced a tough spell in recent years. Oxford’s story can help bring the good times back and place British Speedway firmly back on the map.”
Tickets for the Pairs are available from https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/ and supporters are reminded that these must be purchased in advance. 
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

BERWICK secured a dramatic 45-44 win at Plymouth to extend their lead at the top of the National Development League table.
The Bullets emerged on top from an incident-filled meeting to take a second away victory and move four points clear at the top.

All of the visitors scored between four and nine points with Kyle Bickley (9+1) and Luke Crang (9) leading the way, whilst Adam Roynon (14) and Ben Morley (12+2) scored heavily for the Centurions.
Berwick co-owner Jamie Courtney said: “I’m super proud of the way the boys stuck to their task tonight.

“It was all about gating and that isn’t always our strong point. Even when we did make the gate the races tended to be called back by the referee.
“When your top scorer has nine points and the lowest is four and you’ve won away from home then you really can say that everyone has played their part in that win.”
 (SPEEDWAY 3)

BIRMINGHAM wrap up their official Championship campaign with the visit of Berwick to Perry Barr tonight (Wednesday – UK time).
The Brummies remain in an injury-hit state, and bring in Kye Thomson, Paul Starke, Paco Castagna and Lee Complin to bolster their side.

Meanwhile the Bandits still retain a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs and need an away win. The visitors bring in Joe Thompson and Connor Coles at reserve with Jonas Knudsen still suffering visa delays and Nathan Stoneman out injured.

Brummies boss Laurence Rogers said: “I think there are two good sides on display, there’s some true racers in both teams and I think it’s going to be a belting night of speedway.
“There’s no doubt about it, it’s been a cruel, cruel campaign for the Brummies – but we want to go out with a bang and we want to end on a high with a win for our supporters.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

POOLE boss Neil Middleditch is urging his side to keep the momentum going when they host Plymouth in the Championship Jubilee League tonight (Wednesday – UK time).

The Pirates have already qualified for the Final and take on injury-hit opposition with Lewis Kerr, Jason Edwards, Dillon Ruml and Broc Nicol all coming in for the Gladiators.
Middleditch said: “They came here in the league and we had to fight really hard to just get the draw on a controversial night.

“They are still very sore not to have beaten us that evening and I know that my old adversary, Garry May, is very keen to put one over us. If that is not enough motivation for our boys, then we also have the momentum to keep going.

“We are on a decent unbeaten run at the moment, and we are going to have some very big meetings ahead now that we are at the business end of the season and still in contention for all three trophies this year.
“I recognise that Plymouth have their problems at the moment with injuries and availability of riders, but we won’t be offering them any sympathy, there is a meeting to be won and we want to be the ones that win it.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

OXFORD take on Belle Vue at Cowley tonight (Wednesday) in a clash of two sides currently in the NDL play-off places.
The teams are separated by just one point with the Colts just ahead after both enjoyed big home wins last week.

The Chargers operate rider replacement for Nathan Stoneman, who was injured at Berwick at the weekend, whilst the Colts bring in Adam Roynon and also use r/r as Nathan Ablitt and Harry McGurk are both on Championship duty.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “It is a blow to lose a rider of Nathan’s ability at this level. But our recent home performances have proven to me that we have a well-rounded team where every rider is capable of winning races.

“Injuries are part and parcel of speedway, and often having the appropriate back-up in place can be the difference between a winning and a losing team. I believe we’ve got the back-up and that Belle Vue remain in for a tough test.”
Colts co-boss Steve Williams said: “Oxford do have a solid side, but then so do we and we’re very much looking forward to this to be honest.

We’re prepared to knuckle down and hopefully cause them some problems.
“Obviously with missing both Nathan and Harry it will be a challenge but they’re also missing a rider so as things are we’re evenly matched.”
(FIXTURES)

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Berwick 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE: Poole v Plymouth 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Belle Vue 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 11:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v King’s Lynn 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 12:
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE PAIRS: Oxford 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 13:
BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Cardiff 5pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 14:
SGP2: Cardiff 1pm