BRITISH SPEEDWAY ROUND-UP #17
HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
PIC OF THE WEEK…
LEICESTER came back from 12 points down to edge out leaders Belle Vue 46-44 in a thriller on Thursday evening at the Hydrsocand Arena.
The ROWE Motor Oil Premiership’s top two fought right down to the wire with home No.1 Ryan Douglas splitting Brady Kurtz and Norick Blodorn in Heat 15 to seal victory for his side.
Kurtz (13+1) and Blodorn (13+2) combined for three 5-1s for the Aces, but Jason Doyle was withdrawn after a fall in Heat 6 which saw him aggravate rib injuries.
Douglas finished last in Heat 1 but then scored 14 from five rides to anchor the Leicester win.
Photo credit: STEVE DIXON
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
BELLE Vue lead Leicester by five points after a dramatic clash between the sides at the Hydroscand Arena last week saw the Lions win the match whilst the Aces took the aggregate point. Ipswich and Sheffield complete the top four with King’s Lynn one point adrift of the Tigers having been restricted to just the aggregate point from a defeat at Northampton on Monday.
LIONS’ DEFENCE ON COURSE
LEICESTER emerged from the first leg of the KO Cup Final on level terms with Ipswich after a 45-45 draw at Foxhall on Monday.
The Final will be decided at the Hydroscand Arena this Thursday – but manager Stewart Dickson isn’t starting any premature celebrations over a potential second successive Cup triumph.
He said: “We’ve done the job that we wanted to do, and I would have taken a score of 43 or 44 points, so to get a draw sets things up perfectly for Thursday night.
“I fully expected us to be able to keep it tight in this meeting, and we know the Hydroscand Arena will be rocking on Thursday as we try to win another trophy.
“But nothing is won yet and there will still be 15 tough heats to go because they will come back at us.”
WITCHES’ FRUSTRATION IS FUEL
IPSWICH skipper Danny King wants to see his side come roaring back at Leicester on Thursday, knowing they need a win at the Hydroscand Arena to lift the Premiership KO Cup following a first leg draw at home.
King said: “I called it before the meeting – I think we are very evenly matched as teams. They were confident coming in, having got a victory there only a few weeks ago, but I still feel we let it slip.
“Fortunately, we ride their track just as well as they ride ours, so it is do-able. They will have a lot more pressure on them – certainly if we come out there swinging and throw it at them. We’re going there to make a fight of it, and we are not going to give up. We will try and win that trophy.”
FOXES ADD SECOND WIN
NORTHAMPTON’S long wait for their second Premiership victory ended on Monday when the Foxes triumphed 48-42 against King’s Lynn.
A late Stars comeback saw them snatch the aggregate point in a Super Heat, but Foxes boss Chris Adams was keen to accentuate the positives.
He said: “Obviously the lads are a little disappointed that they didn’t get the aggregate point, but at the end of the day their focus was on a win and finally we got one.
“All seven of our riders were paid for at least one win, which is definitely what we’re looking for, and in Heats 13 and 15 Jaimon (Lidsey) was there or thereabouts, but it’s a tough old game against good riders.”
NO PANIC FOR ACES
BELLE Vue boss Mark Lemon admitted there was a degree of frustration to miss out on victory at Leicester having been 12-points up – but the Aces still showed their capabilities.
Jason Doyle’s injury withdrawal played a part as the Lions fought back to win the meeting 46-44, although the league leaders took the aggregate point by a huge margin.
Lemon said: “I know Zach (Cook) will probably go home pretty disappointed, but as a team we have been performing well, and the more laps the riders get the better they will be for it.
“We are in a good position. The league table is not going to lie right now, we are travelling very well, but Leicester will be chasing us so we’ve got to keep the pressure on.”
STARS MAKE THEIR POINT
KING’S Lynn were restricted to an aggregate point from a Super Heat win at Northampton on Monday, with the league match itself having resulted in six-point defeat.
Manager Rob Lyon admits he doesn’t know yet whether it will turn out to be a useful point as the equation for play-off qualification becomes tighter.
He said: “It’s a mystery why we started so poorly, it’s strange and it’s frustrating, as I’m sure it is for the fans and everyone watching. We’ve been like that all season so it’s not something new tonight.
“Max (Fricke) was outstanding, only dropping one point in the main meeting, and Bomber (Chris Harris) was excellent, but as a team we were very inconsistent again, hence why we didn’t win the meeting – but fair play to Northampton, they rode well as a team and were solid all the way through.
“We get a point, it’s better than nothing, and it may make a difference at the end.”
TIGERS BACK ON TRACK
SHEFFIELD manager Simon Stead felt Thursday’s win over Ipswich was a morale-boosting result after a tough recent run.
The injury loss of No.1 Jack Holder has hit the Tigers in recent weeks, especially on occasions when they have struggled for cover in that position.
Stead said: “We’ve been in a bit of a sticky patch since losing Jack at No.1 so I felt like it’s been a long time coming to get another win.
“So I’m pleased we’ve got this one over the line because Ipswich are strong opposition – we saw that when they put in a good performance at their place against us last week.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
LEADERS Belle Vue host second placed Leicester in a Round 2 fixture at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday… Sheffield take on Northampton at Owlerton for the first time on Thursday, before travelling to King’s Lynn on Monday… This Thursday also sees the second leg of the KO Cup Final with Leicester and Ipswich all square at 45-45 heading back to the Hydroscand Arena.
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
SCUNTHORPE are back on top of the table thanks to their home win over Redcar last Friday, whilst a successful weekend for Edinburgh took them into second place. Glasgow remain third despite not racing, whilst Poole are fourth and remain unbeaten from their six matches. Redcar are the closest challengers points-wise in fifth place, but have ridden more fixtures, whilst seventh-placed Berwick could haul themselves firmly into contention with an away win.
SCORPIONS ARE CLICKING
SCUNTHORPE youngster Luke Harrison banged in a double figure score as his side went back to the top of the table with a 53-37 win over Redcar.
Harrison, who scored 11 in total, said: “It was pretty perfect from my first three rides. Heats 13 and 15 were harder, but I’ve only recently stepped up to riding at No 5, so it’s all progress.
“We clicked as a team around the time the league campaign started. It’s all a nice feeling when the team is winning and that’s what we’re enjoying.”
MONARCHS TAKE THE POSITIVES
EDINBURGH completed a strong weekend’s work with a draw at Workington on Saturday to further enhance their play-off chances.
The Monarchs conceded a 5-1 in the final race of the meeting but manager John Campbell was keen to focus on the big picture of more significant points being gained.
He said: “I think we’ve got to be very pleased with picking up another two league points. Anything we can get away from home is a bonus. Nicolai Klindt of course made all the difference, (Jonas) Jeppesen may not have scored a maximum.
“But I’m very pleased we got the draw and the aggregate point. We had some exceptional performances.”
NO COMPLAINTS FROM BEARS
REDCAR co-promoter Jamie Swales accepted that a 14-point defeat at Scunthorpe on Friday had been a fair outcome from the meeting.
The Bears need more points on the road to make the play-offs, but they were unable to improve those prospects at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Swales said: “I never really felt we were totally outclassed but we were beaten by fine margins in each race and they are a very good side on home shale.”
PIRATES CHASE REVENGE
POOLE host Berwick on Wednesday looking to extend their unbeaten home record and also gain a measure of revenge for their shock elimination from the MAXiCab KO Cup against the Bandits earlier in the season.
Promoter Dan Ford said: “Berwick showed us last time that they have no fears of coming here. Stewart (Dickson), their team manager, told his riders to believe in themselves and they certainly did.
“But equally our boys all know that they can up their game this time around, and I believe that they will.”
RISS SETBACK FOR CHEETAHS
OXFORD manager Peter Schroeck has dampened expectations of a return to UK racing for Erik Riss in the closing weeks of the season.
Schroeck said: “I have no doubt everyone has seen Erik had a couple of meetings in Germany, and we wanted to see how those went. Unfortunately for poor Erik, he had to miss his meeting in the German League last weekend.
“We brought Edward Kennett in for Erik. Ed is a class act, while it took him a few meetings to get dialled back into competitive league action.
“Ed is very keen to finish the season strongly for us. He has brought his experience to the team and is a big plus down the pits.”
THE PERFECT GUEST
FORMER Workington rider Nicolai Klindt made a faultless guest appearance for the Comets with an 18-point maximum in Saturday’s home draw with Edinburgh.
Kemp combined with Drew Kemp for a 5-1 in Heat 15 to ensure a share of the spoils as the Cumbrian side strive to get their campaign back on track.
Manager James Denham told the club website: “Nicolai was outstanding and showed exactly why he’s held in such high regard around Workington, while the lads showed a lot of character to keep battling when it looked like Edinburgh were getting away from us.
“The tactical substitute in Heat 11 really gave us a lift and from that point the momentum started to swing our way.”
BANDITS’ KEY RUN
BERWICK face a crucial week ahead in their bid for a play-off place with three away matches on their schedule.
The Bandits visit Poole, Redcar and Workington, and they also have a home match against the Comets on Saturday.
Co-owner Jamie Courtney said “That’s a big eight days and our position will be much clearer when that is over.
“We have meetings in hand over everyone other bar Poole but they will count for nothing if we continue to miss out on aggregate points.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
WITH leaders Scunthorpe having no fixture, the chasing pack can close in with Glasgow and Edinburgh contesting the Scottish derby at Ashfield on Friday, whilst Poole face Berwick at home on Wednesday and then travel to Oxford and Plymouth on Friday and Saturday respectively… The Bandits are also on the road on Friday as they visit Redcar, before returning to Shielfield Park to face Workington on Saturday… The return fixture against the Comets takes place on Sunday afternoon.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
NO change at the top of the table, but King’s Lynn are off the mark following their home win over Buxton last week, meaning the Bulls will be even keener to grab their first victory this weekend.
YOUNG STARS SHINE AT LAST
KING’S Lynn edged out Buxton 49-41 in a tight contest at the Adrian Flux Arena with skipper Simon Lambert and Jake Mulford combining for a 5-1 in the last race.
Manager Jason Pipe said: “Simon rode like a true captain with a 15-point maximum. He wasn’t going to do Heat 15 but when we had that surprise 5-1 against us in Heat 14 I had to tell him I needed him to do it!
“He was backed up by Jake and we got what we expected from them, especially at home, and Mickie (Simpson) chipped in to have a good meeting after his first ride.
“The track was really good for both teams, so special praise to Buster (Chapman) and his staff for that because it was just right, and both sides enjoyed riding it.”
ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR BULLS
BUXTON manager Laurence Rogers felt there were decent signs of improvement from his side as they slipped to a 49-41 defeat at King’s Lynn to still await their first league points.
Rogers said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose the meeting, but I feel we put on a really good performance and were in the meeting throughout and we came really close to getting something out of it.
“I’m hopeful we can get the aggregate point when we have the return at Hi-Edge later in the season.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
THE top two do not race this week so Middlesbrough can close the gap when they race at home to King’s Lynn on Saturday, as can Oxford if they win at Buxton on Sunday… The latest round of the British 125cc Youth Championship takes place at Workington after the Comets’ home clash with Berwick.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JULY 29:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Berwick 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 30:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Sheffield (48) v Northampton (42) 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 31:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 7.30, Oxford v Poole 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 1:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Workington 7pm, Plymouth v Poole 7pm
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Middlesbrough v King’s Lynn 7.30
SUNDAY AUGUST 2:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington v Berwick 3pm
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Buxton v Oxford 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington (125cc) (follows Champ fixture)
MONDAY AUGUST 3:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Oxford (38) v Scunthorpe (52) 7.30 Poole v Edinburgh 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 6:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Ipswich v Northampton 7.30, Sheffield v Leicester 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: King’s Lynn (35) v Edinburgh (55) 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 7:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 8:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Poole 7pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Middlesbrough v Buxton 7.30
FIM TRACK RACING YOUTH GOLD TROPHY: Workington 3pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 9:
FIM EUROPEAN 125cc YOUTH TRACK RACING CUP: Workington 3pm
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Buxton (41) v King’s Lynn (49) 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 10:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Belle Vue (50) v King’s Lynn (40) 7.30
