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…

Poole booked their place in the Championship Grand Final after defeating Glasgow 110-69 on aggregate following Sunday’s semi-final, 2nd leg, at Ashfield. The Pirates will now face Leicester in a two-legged shootout for the title.
Photo credit: ANTHONY BURCHELL

PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

BELLE VUE
“You could sense the anticipation in the pits. The Ipswich boys were ready to battle and we were definitely up for the fight, and I think everyone rode well today. But we’re only half-way there in terms of the league title. The scores go back to zero once again and, come next week, we’ll be fighting for the ultimate prize.”
New signing Robert Lambert marked his debut with a 15-point maximum as the Aces put Ipswich out of the play-offs in the semi-finals – and is determined to help his club take the title in next week’s Grand Final.
NEXT HOME: TBC, Premiership Grand Final
NEXT AWAY: TBC, Premiership Grand Final

IPSWICH
“We spent a lot of the season top of the league, and we have had some great results and moments throughout the season. So, to bow out with such a heavy defeat in the semi-final of the play-offs is a big disappointment and not how we wanted to go. Belle Vue have clicked in at the right time and we have probably gone the opposite way.”
Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins took a philosophical attitude to defeat in the play-off semi-final to Belle Vue, with the Foxhall side unable to replicate their achievement of making the Grand Final in 2019.
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, TBC

KING’S LYNN
The Stars will have to wait until mid-October for the League Cup Final against Sheffield after the initial planned stagings were postponed due to a police incident outside Owlerton last week, and the Tigers’ re-arranged play-off semi-final on Monday. Lynn will now host the first leg of the Final on October 17.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield (LC Final), Mon Oct 17
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield (LC Final), Thur Oct 20

SHEFFIELD
“It would have been nice if we could have finished on a positive note, but I don’t want that last heat 5-1 to take the shine off anything. At the end of the day, we’ve come away from home in a play-off semi-final and picked up a win and it puts us in a good position on Thursday.”
Job done for Simon Stead’s Tigers in the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Wolverhampton, with the Sheffield boss keen for his side to finish things off in the return.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton (Play-Off S/F), Thur Oct 6
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn (LC Final), Mon Oct 17 – OR Prem Grand Final

WOLVERHAMPTON
“It’s never ideal to go into the second leg off a defeat, but we’re not throwing the towel in yet. We’ve gone to Sheffield this season and won already. Four points is four points – we’ve just got to go there and win again.”
A defiant attitude from Wolves star Nick Morris, who top-scored with 14 points in Monday’s play-off semi-final home defeat to Sheffield and says the Monmore side are still capable of turning things around in the second leg.
NEXT HOME: Ladbrokes Olympique Finale, Mon Oct 17 – OR Prem Grand Final
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield (Play-Off S/F), Thur Oct 6

CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

EDINBURGH
“Armadale Stadium has been a terrific home for the Monarchs and the Scottish Open Championship will be a fitting way to say Farewell to Armadale. There will be a great field and we hope to see many old faces there to celebrate the wonderful time we have spent at the stadium.”
Chairman Alex Harkess says the club are planning a big night on October 15 with the Scottish Open Championship taking centre stage as part of the Farewell to Armadale event.
NEXT HOME: Farewell To Armadale, Sat Oct 15

GLASGOW
“I’m really gutted, it’s quite an embarrassing result, but we were beaten by a superb team. I know what Leicester felt like last week.”
The Tigers and boss Cami Brown were left deflated by their play-off exit to Poole as their wait for a league title goes on, with the main damage done in a 30-60 defeat at Wimborne Road last Wednesday.
NEXT HOME: TBC, CJL Final
NEXT AWAY: TBC, CJL Final

LEICESTER
“I’m excited to get going, and it’s going to be an interesting winter – but I also want to stress that we have a big job to do over the next few weeks in October before we leave the Championship. We will be fully focused on trying to win the Grand Final and also the CJL Final when it takes place, plus we also have the Lion Cubs going for honours, and this news doesn’t lessen our determination in any of that.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson says news of their impending Premiership move for 2023 will not affect their focus on challenging for honours over the closing weeks of the current campaign.
NEXT HOME: Poole, Championship Grand Final, Sat Oct 22
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Championship Grand Final, Fri Oct 21

PLYMOUTH
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Tues Oct 11

POOLE
“On the Wednesday of that week AFC Bournemouth have a home game against Southampton. We recognise that we have a number of supporters who also enjoy following the Cherries and so a clash of dates isn’t really a sensible move. Furthermore, it makes it difficult for us as a club with our stewarding arrangements and so we feel that this is the best solution all round.”
Pirates promoter Danny Ford explains the rationale behind the club staging the home leg of the Championship Grand Final against Leicester on Friday October 21, with the tie to be concluded in the East Midlands one night later.
NEXT HOME: Redcar (KO Cup Final), Wed Oct 12
NEXT AWAY: Redcar (KO Cup Final), Fri Oct 7

REDCAR
The Bears are building up to another bid for honours as they host Poole in their home leg of the KO Cup Final this Friday, as they look to reclaim the silverware following their previous win in 2019.
NEXT HOME: Poole (KO Cup Final), Fri Oct 7
NEXT AWAY: Poole (KO Cup Final), Wed Oct 12

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…

ARMADALE
“The Devils did very well, there really was a bit of fight about them. The track was tricky obviously but it was the same for both teams. All of our side gave something, we got off to a great start and kept it going!”
Chairman Alex Harkess took charge for last Friday’s home win over Belle Vue which had a major impact on the play-off race, and also moved the Devils off the bottom of the table ahead of their visit to Plymouth on Tuesday.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri Oct 7
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Oct 4

BELLE VUE
“Had Nathan (Ablitt) been with us, things might have been different but there’s no point wondering what could have been, and sadly it is what it is. There’s so many positives that we can take from this season, and I think all of the boys have really enjoyed their time with Belle Vue and I certainly hope to be back at this club next season.”
Colts reserve Archie Freeman summed up the mood of frustration after last Friday’s defeat at Armadale which saw the Manchester side remain fifth in the league table, and outside the play-offs by a single point.

BERWICK
“To be fair everyone put in a decent shift and go on with it despite the conditions and we go into the semi-final is a really positive frame of mind. Hopefully there will be a big crowd roaring the lads on in what has the makings of a classic.”
The Bullets were beaten at Leicester on Saturday but now prepare for a big night at Shielfield Park on Saturday as they host Mildenhall in the play-off semi-final.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall (Play-Off S/F), Sat Oct 8
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall (Play-Off S/F), Sun Oct 16

KENT
NEXT HOME: TBC

LEICESTER
“Oxford have strengthened their team as they’ve gone through the season, bringing in youngster Jody Scott who has done really well, along with Henry Atkins. They will be really tough opponents, but we’ve beaten them at home before and we’ve drawn there as well – and we’d be happy with those results again.”
Cubs boss Dave Howard is expecting a hard-fought play-off semi-final with his side having been handed a last-four tie with Oxford and the matches to both take place this week.
NEXT HOME: Oxford (Play-Off S/F), Sat Oct 8
NEXT AWAY: Oxford (Play-Off S/F), Wed Oct 5

MILDENHALL
“I’m still struggling with the effects of this and my head is still not good. So though I’m back to full fitness in all other ways and I’d so love to be back racing for the Fen Tigers, at the moment I need to concentrate fully on getting myself well again. I will of course, as I always do, be trackside at West Row giving the lads my full support on the 16th.”
Fen Tigers favourite Sam Bebee will miss the remainder of the season having been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome – but he is determined to support his team-mates in their play-off semi-final against Berwick.
NEXT HOME: Berwick (Play-Off S/F), Sun Oct 16
NEXT AWAY: Berwick (Play-Off S/F), Sat Oct 8

OXFORD
“I’ve said all along we’ve had a great season whatever happens, because it’s our first season back in speedway after 15 years, and we’re still building. Just over a week after we were saying our goodbyes at Oxford, the fans have got a chance to come to the track and support the Chargers again – it’s going to be a great occasion.”
Chargers boss Peter Schroeck is hoping to take advantage of a somewhat unexpected opportunity when they host Leicester in the play-offs on Wednesday – having secured a top four finish thanks to Belle Vue’s defeat at Armadale last week.
NEXT HOME: Leicester (Play-Off S/F), Wed Oct 5
NEXT AWAY: Leicester (Play-Off S/F), Sat Oct 8

PLYMOUTH
“In a season that was badly affected by the devastating early season injury to No.1 Dan Gilkes and the loss of No.2 Henry Atkins who decided to seek opportunities elsewhere, the SWTR Centurions have seen a number of new and returning riders join them and have provided opportunity and a glimpse of undoubted potential from others on a number of occasions.”
The Centurions have still taken some positives from a tough season which has seen them fighting at the wrong end of the NDL table.
NEXT HOME: Armadale, Tues Oct 4

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY OCTOBER 4:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Plymouth v Armadale 7pm

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Oxford v Leicester 7.30

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6:
PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Sheffield (47) v Wolverhampton (43) 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Redcar v Poole 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Armadale v Leicester 7.30

SATURDAY OCTOBER 8:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Berwick v Mildenhall 7pm; 2nd leg: Leicester v Oxford 7pm

MONDAY OCTOBER 10:
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: TBC v TBC 7.30

TUESDAY OCTOBER 11:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Poole v Redcar 7.30

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13:
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: TBC v TBC 7.30

SATURDAY OCTOBER 15:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Leicester v Mildenhall 7pm
FAREWELL TO ARMADALE: Edinburgh 6.30

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Berwick 3pm

MONDAY OCTOBER 17:
LEAGUE CUP FINAL 1st leg: King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30
LADBROKE OLYMPIQUE FINALE: Wolverhampton 7.30