BRITISH SPEEDWAY ROUND-UP

HERE’S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.

THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN

PIC OF THE WEEK…

DAN Bewley became the first home winner of the British Grand Prix for 15 years with a sensational triumph in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Cumbrian star made a lighting start in the Final to defeat title favourite Bartosz Zmarzlik, Patryk Dudek and Leon Madsen – and in the process he shot up to fourth place in the World Championship standings with fours remaining.
Photo credit: IAN CHARLES

PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BELLE VUE
“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing. The main thing is to keep winning at home and we are fully aware that other teams are nervous about coming to Manchester. That’s a good feeling to have, especially at this stage. But we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. There’s still a job to do, we just need to finish in style.”
Aces star Charles Wright says the team’s stunning home form gives them plenty of confidence about the weeks ahead, with a string of 60+ scores at the NSS giving other clubs food for thought.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Mon Aug 29
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Mon Aug 22

IPSWICH
“In the interval we had a chat and I told them that after the first 10 heats there was one team that looked like they wanted to win the meeting and that wasn’t us. Certainly, after the interval the boys stepped up and showed what they are all about when needed. Once we did that, we were the better team.”
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins says a mid-meeting pep talk did the trick in last Thursday’s local derby against King’s Lynn as his side fought back from 26-34 down to take a dramatic victory.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur Aug 25
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Mon Sept 5

KING’S LYNN
“We made some silly mistakes, and we just weren’t good enough on the night, and we have to take that on the chin. Josh’s (Pickering) bike wasn’t playing ball in his first couple and then he had a nasty spill in his third ride, which meant he couldn’t go out in Heat 13 which was a big shame. Thomas (Jorgensen) rode his socks off and would have been a good option for Heat 15 but again he was feeling second-hand after the crash with Josh.”
Stars manager Alex Brady was left to reflect on another ‘nearly’ night with his side leading by eight points at Ipswich with five races remaining, only to go down to a 46-44 defeat.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Mon Aug 22
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Thur Aug 25

PETERBOROUGH
“We’ve been struggling with injuries and struggling with form, and it’s all come at once really. It’s a tad embarrassing if I’m honest, but the boys are putting the effort in, and you can’t fault them for that.”
Panthers boss Rob Lyon admits these are trying times for the reigning Premiership champions, who are desperately hoping their selection problems ease in time for their next home meeting against King’s Lynn on August 25.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, Thur Aug 25
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Thur Sept 1

SHEFFIELD
“For some reason, Craig just never really got going this year and it’s a shame because we know he’s a talented speedway rider. An opportunity presented itself to us when Lewi left King’s Lynn and after Craig’s R/R rides on Monday only scored four points, we acted quickly to get a deal with Lewi over the line.”
Tigers boss Simon Stead explains the club’s latest team change, which has seen Lewis Kerr join in place of Craig Cook, with his debut to come at Wolverhampton next Monday.
NEXT HOME: Premiership Pairs Round 5, Thur Aug 18
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon Aug 22

WOLVERHAMPTON
“I thought he rode really well on Sunday too, again despite some far from ideal track conditions, and recent performances will have given Leon a big, big boost as we head into the business end of the season. Drew didn’t have things go all his way in that same meeting, but he will learn a lot from that experience I’m sure and he knows he’s got an important job to do for Wolverhampton too over the next month or two.”
Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten says reserves Leon Flint and Drew Kemp can take plenty of learning from their experience as part of the British GP and SGP2 at Cardiff last weekend.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Mon Aug 22
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur Aug 25

CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BERWICK
“It really was our season in a nutshell, making too slow a start and giving ourselves too much to do. Jye (Etheridge) eventually got going and we knew it was a tough ask for the two reserves – but they did keep battling.”
Bandits boss Gary Flint saw his side mount a late surge to secure a league point at Birmingham on Wednesday, but was frustrated by the first half of the meeting in which they fell 14 points down to put an away win out of reach.
NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Sat Aug 27
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri Aug 19

BIRMINGHAM
“They’ve been superb, they’ve never given up and that last league win of the season tonight was for them. We wanted to finish off with a win and end the league fixtures on a high and we did that, once again with a makeshift team.”
Brummies boss Laurence Rogers paid tribute to the club’s supporters after a 48-42 win over Berwick last Wednesday to end a tough Championship campaign on a high.
NEXT HOME: Coventry Select (Ch), Wed Aug 17

EDINBURGH
Paco Castagna was a late call-up for the Monarchs to the Championship League Pairs at Oxford last Friday as Josh Pickering suffered an elbow injury at Ipswich one night earlier. Castagna joined Kye Thomson, who himself was standing in for injured skipper Sam Masters.
NEXT HOME: Redcar (KOC), Fri Aug 19
NEXT AWAY: Oxford, Wed Aug 17

GLASGOW
“There’s also a sense of great pride that a quarter of the field are former Glasgow riders. Dan Bewley’s win at the British GP in Cardiff at the weekend is just the icing on the cake and I’m sure there will be a huge turnout from the British fans keen to see him and Robert Lambert on the rostrum.”
Tigers owner Gerry Facenna is proud to be staging the FIM Grand Prix Challenge at Ashfield on Saturday – with Dan Bewley topping the bill following his superb victory at Cardiff last weekend.
NEXT HOME: FIM Grand Prix Challenge, Sat Aug 20
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Sun Aug 21

LEICESTER
“For me, it’s all about challenging for trophies, and I know the riders like to win trophies as well, but it’s also extra meetings for them. They were quite glad to hear the news, and personally speaking I think it’s the correct decision.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson is pleased to see the Championship Jubilee League being decided over a three-legged Final which will bring together the three group winners – Leicester, Glasgow and Poole.
NEXT HOME: TBC
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe (KOC), Fri Sept 2

OXFORD
“I thought we ran a really good event. At times, it seems a surreal that we’re running speedway at all this year, because a sensible person would have said let’s open Oxford Speedway in 2023! Earlier today, I had one of those moments where I was sat on the tractor and thinking whether if it was a good idea that we’d agreed to run a shared event in our very first year back, but then the whole thing ran so smoothly.”
Cheetahs promoter Jamie Courtney says the Championship League Pairs at Cowley last Friday was a major success, with Redcar winning the event in front of a big crowd, and the meeting proceeding smoothly despite the extreme heat.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Wed Aug 17

PLYMOUTH
“We have been incredibly unlucky with injuries and all sorts of other pitfalls all season, yet have shown an intensity and level of application on and off the track that makes me incredibly proud. We’ve had a good season and can turn it into a great season.”
Promoter Mark Phillips tells Plymouth-speedway.com that the club are still fully focused on their play-off challenge despite an extraordinary injury list threatening to derail their hopes.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Tues Aug 23
NEXT AWAY: TBC

POOLE
“It is our intention to make it a vibrant family atmosphere here on Wednesday and we are hoping to see many new faces attending. We are planning lots of side attractions to support the main event. We are in the middle of the school holidays, and everyone knows that speedway is a fabulous family sport so there is no better time for us to celebrate that fact than next Wednesday night.”
Pirates promoter Danny Ford has confirmed reduced admission prices of £10 for adults, £6 for students and under-16s free for Wednesday’s vital Championship clash with Redcar.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Wed Aug 17
NEXT AWAY: TBC

REDCAR
“Kyle has shown flashes of his true potential in his short time with the club, but with points to spare on the overall team average we must take every advantage we can in our push for the play-offs. In Kyle Newman though we are bringing in a proven performer at this level who I believe will help us win matches.”
Bears promoter Jamie Swales explains the team change which sees Kyle Newman replace Kyle Bickley, with Newman set to make his debut at his former club Poole this week for the Championship League Pairs winners.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Sun Aug 21
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Wed Aug 17

SCUNTHORPE
“He rode at Wolverhampton on Monday, when he probably shouldn’t have, and that didn’t do him favours. It surprised me he did that meeting, but then I noticed he hadn’t taken a rider replacement ride. We felt if we left it a few days, he would be okay for the Pairs, which is why we left his withdrawal as late as possible, because we thought he might make it.”
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey admitted the withdrawal due to injury of No.1 Ryan Douglas was a big blow to his club’s chances in the Championship League Pairs last Friday.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Fri Aug 19
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri Aug 26

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…

ARMADALE
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Fri Aug 26
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Sun Sept 4

BELLE VUE
“Oxford rode a very competitive meeting. They have a fantastic track here and it’s great to see them back in British Speedway after so long. As unfortunate as this result is, we are still on track for the play-offs. We’ve got a handful of meetings left to accumulate points and I’m sure the lads are as determined as we are to do so.”
Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin is backing his side to bounce back from a setback at Oxford last Wednesday and still do enough to book their place in the NDL’s top four.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri Aug 19
NEXT AWAY: Armadale, Fri Aug 26

BERWICK
“We’ve said more than once that winning isn’t everything at this level, it is equally important for riders not used to this type and size of track to get experience of its very different challenges. 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.”
Co-owner Jamie Courtney took charge of the Bullets for their 45-44 win at Plymouth which moved them to the brink of confirming a place in the NDL play-offs.
NEXT HOME: TBC
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Sept 4

KENT
“Losing Alfie was a blow, but I am confident that Max will enjoy Iwade and give us the edge that we need to get into the playoffs.”
Royals promoter Si Kellow believes new signing Max Clegg will prove the ideal man to step in for the Iwade club after No.1 Alfie Bowtell was ruled out due to injury.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Sun Aug 21
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat Sept 3

LEICESTER
“With their ‘forever’ knowledge of the circuit and the great team riding they have produced in many Heats 13 and 15 for the Lion Cubs, this puts them potentially in a strong position to challenge for the Pairs crown.”
Cubs boss Dave Howard is hoping Dan and Joe Thompson can clinch silverware on their home circuit on Saturday when the club stages the NDL Pairs.
NEXT HOME: NDL Pairs, Sat Aug 20
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Fri Aug 19

MILDENHALL
The Fen Tigers have named Jason Edwards and Jack Kingston as their combination for the National Development League Pairs at Leicester on Saturday.
NEXT HOME: Oxford, Sun Aug 28
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Sun Aug 21

OXFORD
“It’s a big confidence booster for me to win both Heats 13 and 15, because those are big races. In one race just before that (Heat 10), it didn’t go quite right, so we made some changes to the bike and it was pulling well for the last two races. I couldn’t be any happier with my night.”
Chargers star Henry Atkins played a vital role in the 48-41 win over Belle Vue at Cowley last Wednesday which keeps the league newcomers very much on course for the play-offs.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Wed Aug 24
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Aug 28

PLYMOUTH
“In a much-improved display, featuring an excellent debut by the returning Adam Roynon who scored 14 points from six rides. This included a very controversial exclusion in Heat 13, when he fell marginally after Berwick rider Greg Blair on the same bend, resulting in the very unusual decision that saw both riders excluded, a decision that ultimately swung the match Berwick’s way.”
The Centurions suffered the agony of a 44-45 home defeat at the hands of play-off hopefuls Berwick at the Coliseum last Tuesday.
NEXT HOME: Armadale, TBC
NEXT AWAY: Kent, Sun Aug 28

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY AUGUST 16:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Redcar OFF

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Oxford v Edinburgh 7.30, Poole v Redcar 7.30
CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Coventry Select 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 18:
PREMIERSHIP PAIRS Round 5: Sheffield 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 19:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 20:
FIM GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Glasgow 7pm
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PAIRS: Leicester 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 21:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Kent v Mildenhall 12pm

MONDAY AUGUST 22:
PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Sheffield 7.30

TUESDAY AUGUST 23:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24:
CHAMPIONSHIP RIDERS’ INDIVIDUAL: Poole 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Mildenhall 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 25:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Wolverhampton 7.30, Peterborough v King’s Lynn 7.30, Sheffield v Belle Vue 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 26:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Belle Vue 7.30

SATURDAY AUGUST 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 28:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Kent v Plymouth 12pm, Mildenhall v Oxford 3pm

MONDAY AUGUST 29:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, Peterborough v Sheffield 5pm Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 8pm

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Birmingham 7.30
NEIL MIDDLEDITCH TESTIMONIAL: Poole 7.30