BRITISH SPEEDWAY MARCH 27, 2023

(SPEEDWAY 1)

SAYFUTDINOV RETURNS

PETERBOROUGH host Ipswich in their Premiership opener tonight (Monday – UK time) – a meeting which features the much-anticipated UK return of International stars Nicki Pedersen and Emil Sayfutdinov.

The clubs were frustrated by the weather at Foxhall on Thursday but are now set for a huge clash at the East of England Arena, with Pedersen at No.1 for the Panthers and Saytfutdinov lining up for the Witches.
Niels-Kristian Iversen is also back for the home side whilst Ipswich have been boosted by impressive victories over the weekend for Jason Doyle (Sam Masters Testimonial) and skipper Danny King (Ben Fund Bonanza).

Pedersen said: “I’m already feeling a good atmosphere within the team. We’re here to help each other, and if we do that the team spirit is going to be great.
“It’s going to be a big one against Ipswich with Doyle and Sayfutdinov – it’s early days, early season, but we’ve got to be as best-prepared as possible and then we’ll take it from there.

“What a race Heat 13 looks, I hope the fans don’t want to miss that because it’s going to be a cracking one.”
Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “We have plenty of riders who know Peterborough well, Jason had a supreme meeting at the back end of last season when we came away with a Super Heat victory.
“We still have some inexperienced Premiership riders and we have to give them time to settle in. But Peterborough is a nice track to go to for your first meeting of any year.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

BELLE Vue and Sheffield will be racing for three Premiership points tonight (Monday) thanks to the re-introduction of the aggregate bonus point.
The Tigers grabbed a 48-42 win in a competitive season-opener at Owlerton last Thursday, meaning the return fixture carries not only two match points for victory, but the additional point for overall success.

Aces boss Mark Lemon names an unchanged side for the defending champions’ first meeting of the season at the National Speedway Stadium, whilst his counterpart Simon Stead switches skipper Kyle Howarth and David Bellego in the riding order.
Belle Vue captain Brady Kurtz said: “I always go to Sheffield expecting a tough meeting and they are, I think, one of the strongest teams – so to come away with a six-point defeat in the very first one, in difficult conditions, is nothing really. 

“We’ve got a good foundation to build on and I think everyone is looking forward to racing at the National Speedway Stadium again, and we know we’ve got some top performers around there. “I feel there are lots of positives for us to take into this meeting. Once we’ve settled in and got into a bit of a rhythm, I strongly believe the true potential of this team will come out.”
Stead said: “Every single point becomes even more important now.

“We ironed out a few little things on opening night and the boys can head to Belle Vue feeling pretty confident after how they rode on Thursday.“Let’s go there and give a good account of ourselves and see where we are at the end of the night.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

IPSWICH No.1 Jason Doyle was the winner of the Sam Masters Testimonial at Wolverhampton on Sunday.
The 2017 World Champion topped the regular scorechart, dropping just one point along the way, before beating Freddie Lindgren, Scott Nicholls and Jacob Thorssell in the Grand Final.

A big crowd turned out for the season opener at Monmore Green as Parrys International Wolves skipper Masters celebrated over a decade in British Speedway.
Doyle said: “With the field Sam pulled together for the meeting, it feels great to win.

“The track was amazing considering how much rain you’ve had around here the last few days so hats off to all the track staff for that.”
Masters added: “It was unreal. I can’t believe the turnout we had.
“None of the boys let me down at all and I appreciate everyone coming to be in my meeting, especially those who came after racing abroad.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 4)

POOLE star Steve Worrall is delighted to have put down strong roots in Dorset as he prepares for his Testimonial meeting on Wednesday.
Worrall joined the Wimborne Road side two years ago and has been an integral part of their recent trophy success, which will see them entering the Cab Direct Championship campaign looking to complete a hat-trick of league and KO Cup victories.

He said: “When I’ve been here as an away rider in the past, you see how the club is and it’s not only aimed at me, that’s how they treat all riders who come here and give it their all and make themselves part of the club.
“As history has shown I don’t really like moving around a lot. If I get somewhere I like to stay there, and obviously a lot of thought goes into where I go.

“When I first arrived here back in 2021 I came because I’d seen all that, and I wanted that to be a part of my speedway.
“It’s nice that the fans have made me so welcome, and we’ve been able to do a lot for them. We’ve won two Championships so far, so it would be nice to get that third one this year.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

LEICESTER have announced a new stadium sponsorship deal which sees their venue renamed as the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park.
The Long Eaton-based motorcycle dealership is an authorised dealer for some of the biggest brands on the road including BMW, Ducati, Triumph, Zero Motorcycles and Energica.

Former rider Chris Pidcock explained: “We first got involved with Leicester Speedway during the 2022 season.
“We share the same focus for success as the Club and are delighted to increase our commitment by becoming the Stadium Sponsors for the 2023 season.”

(FIXTURES)

MONDAY MARCH 27:
PREMIERSHIP R1: Belle Vue (42) v Sheffield (48) 7.30, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30

WEDNESDAY MARCH 29:
STEVE WORRALL TESTIMONIAL: Poole Select v Belle Vue Select 7.30

CHALLENGE: Oxford v Swindon Robins Select 7.30

THURSDAY MARCH 30:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30, Leicester v Ipswich 7.30

FRIDAY MARCH 31:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Redcar v Berwick 7.30