BRITISH SPEEDWAY ROUND-UP #6
HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
PIC OF THE WEEK…
PLYMOUTH pulled off the first away win in this season’s Cab Direct Championship with a tense 45-43 victory on Saturday afternoon at Workington.
The Gladiators only provided five of the 15 race winners at the GT Tyres Arena, but they were the more solid outfit as they were successful on the road in the league for the first time in nearly two years.
Photo credit: DAVE PAYNE
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP LATEST
ACES ON TOP
BELLE Vue have a 100 per cent record in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership so far, with two home wins backed up by an impressive away performance at King’s Lynn on Monday.
The Aces were 49-41 winners at the Adrian Flux Arena with Zach Cook notching an impressive 13+1 score in a strong all-round team performance.
Manager Mark Lemon said: “It’s true that we probably haven’t travelled that well in the last couple of years, so I’m really delighted with the performance tonight.
“From one to seven the boys were solid. We got off to a winning start, we had the momentum with us and we were all learning and working together as a collective as the track was changing.”
TIGERS COME GOOD
SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead feels last Thursday’s 14 point home victory over champions Ipswich was “a long time coming.”
The Tigers opened their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership account for the season with a 52-38 win over the Witches in their first home league fixture of the year, having managed just one victory in their previous five matches.
Stead said: “I’ve said it on a couple of occasions, whilst the results haven’t been with us, our overall performance levels have been good.
“I think had it not been for the home loss against Leicester, a lot more people would’ve seen it that way also and they’d have agreed it had been quite a solid little start with plenty to build on. On Thursday we had a better contribution from down at reserve and that probably made the difference.”
STARS SLIP AT HOME
KING’S Lynn suffered the setback of dropping points at the Adrian Flux Arena when they were beaten 49-41 by Belle Vue on Monday.
The Stars were the first team to lose at home in the league and will therefore be keen to compensate for that loss when they travel to Leicester later this week.
Skipper Chris Harris said: “It’s a disappointing result. We knew it was going to be tough, Belle Vue are a solid side and we just didn’t have our gating gloves on tonight.
“There are no excuses, the better team won on the night. They were sharper, they seemed hungrier for it, and we have to regroup and come back next time.”
FOXES CALL FOR PATIENCE
NORTHAMPTON manager Chris Adams says the hard work continues as the Premiership newcomers look for positive results on track.
The Foxes were beaten at the Shaleway by King’s Lynn last week in their final KO Cup group fixture, despite a stunning paid-19 showing at reserve from Kye Thomson.
Adams said: “We have to focus on the meetings ahead now, we can’t dwell on this performance. We’ll go to Sheffield with a fresh head and see what we can get from there.
“The support has been tremendous so far, and I know the results haven’t gone the way everyone wanted. I’d say please stick by us, we’re plugging away and working hard, and I’m sure the results will come. We just need a bit of luck on our side!”
WITCHES HAVE ROOM TO IMPROVE
IPSWICH boss Paul Hurry says there is more potential to come from his team, who held Sheffield for eight races at Owlerton on Thursday before going down to a 52-38 defeat.
Witches host Belle Vue this week and need to turn around a 12-point deficit at Foxhall if they are to secure the aggregate point.
Hurry said: “Towards the end there, we made the changes that we could. It didn’t quite pay off. When I looked at the races we had to go, I thought we had a fairly good chance of pulling it back when we were eight points down.
“I wouldn’t say we are in total top form. I would say we are in good form and there is room for improvement. We are working towards that.”
GRADUAL BUILD-UP FOR MORRIS
LEICESTER’S Nick Morris says he’s happy to play the long game in 2026 as he bids to increase his scoring level throughout the season.
The returning Aussie has been part of a series of solid efforts from the Lions so far in a strong start to the season which has seen them reach the KO Cup Final.
Morris said: “We’re still trying to find something that I’m comfortable on around here, as I’ve been out of the game for a while.
“It’s a long season and I’m not rushing it, I’m just trying to get comfier with each meeting and there’s a lot of racing to do. We’ll get dialled in and keep going!”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
THERE are three matches in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Thursday, including early pace-setters Belle Vue travelling to champions Ipswich… Meanwhile, former Leicester skipper Max Fricke makes his first return to the Hydroscand Arena with King’s Lynn… Sheffield look for back-to-back home wins when they host newcomers Northampton… Monday night sees East Anglian derby action as King’s Lynn host Ipswich.
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST
HOWE BACKING GILKES ARRIVAL
SCUNTHORPE manager David Howe is backing new signing Dan Gilkes to make the desired impression when he comes into the team.
Howe says he understands supporters’ frustrations so far this season leading to the decision to bring in Gilkes to replace Simon Lambert.
He said: “Making team changes is never easy. To be honest, it’s the first time as a manager I’ve been involved in one, but the fans have been saying we need to make changes and that the club is too loyal, so we’ve made one as we are trying not to let the season slip away.
“I’m hoping that Dan can get up to speed quickly and become the rider that tore our team apart at the end of 2024 at Oxford.”
RESERVES STAR FOR TIGERS
GLASGOW reserves Sam Hagon and Freddy Hodder both made vital contributions as the Tigers overcame a tough test from Plymouth at Ashfield last Friday.
Manager Cami Brown said: “It was Sam and Freddy who won us the meeting, they came up with the key moments.
“I’m delighted for them because they’ve come in for some stick so far this season.
“It has been tough for them at times. But they have shown the right attitude, worked really hard and put in the hours of practice behind the scenes to get it right. Most people don’t see what they’ve put it into, but they got the reward they deserve.”
COMETS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC
WORKINGTON boss James Denham says there are reasons to look ahead to a big weekend with optimism – despite the Comets suffering double defeat last Friday and Saturday.
Denham said: “I’m quite confident that if we get Craig (Cook) back going to Glasgow and at home to Oxford that we will have a strong top five to get a result.
“Tate (Zischke) goes well there and he was fantastic again tonight (against Plymouth), some of his moves tonight was excellent, a bit like the Tate of old is coming back.
“He is starting to get that confidence back in knowing that he’s going to go and win the race – he didn’t have that last year, so that’s a big positive of things to come.”
LAWSON’S KLINDT FRUSTRATION
POOLE No.1 Richard Lawson admitted seeing his opposite number for Redcar Nicolai Klindt score an 18-point maximum at Wimborne Road last Wednesday was tough to take.
Lawson is normally a dominant force around his home track, but on this occasion KIindt proved unstoppable although it was still a convincing Pirates victory overall.
Said Lawson: “I was a bit annoyed with myself. I don’t like anyone getting a maximum round here. That’s leaving a bit of taste in my mouth. You have to swallow it, fair play, he was leading it straight up, so it’s where it is and in the end we’ve got the win.
“There’s not much else I can say. I was either spinning and not getting traction, so I’d adjust the bike and then I’d get too much grip. But I still got paid twelve tonight, so I can’t grumble too much.”
MONARCHS HAPPY WITH HOME STARTER
EDINBURGH and Poole have agreed dates for their BSN Series semi-final, which gets underway at Armadale on Friday May 29 before the tie heads for Dorset on Wednesday June 10.
Monarchs co-promoter John Campbell says he’s comfortable with hosting the Pirates in the opening leg, as they look to put themselves in a strong position to progress.
Campbell told the club website: “We have seen recently the terrific level of performance that our team is capable of and we relish this semi-final tie against Poole.
“Hosting the first leg at Armadale Stadium gives us a great opportunity to build up a lead to take down to Poole. That is the aim and I am sure we will have a big crowd backing the team on the 29th.”
GLADIATORS HAVE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR
PLYMOUTH manager Garry May says it’s a happy camp at the Coliseum with his side having made MAXiCab KO Cup progress, along with an away win already being on the board in the league from last Saturday’s victory at Workington.
May said: “The team have gelled really well through the cup stages and we are one big family unit
“That goes from the riders and mechanics right through to all the staff behind the scenes. It’s important to have a good environment around the club and I feel we’ve got that here.
“Our fans are our number eight. We feel their encouragement and support, especially on our home shale, and having a big crowd behind the boys again on Saturday would be amazing.”
SCHROECK PREDICTS CLOSE CONTEST
OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck has stressed every point will be vital when the Cheetahs go into MAXiCab KO Cup action against old rivals Poole over the next two weeks.
Cheetahs stage the opening leg of the quarter-final this Wednesday before the tie concludes at Wimborne Road on April 20.
Schroeck said: “It was extremely close between the two clubs on aggregate in the BSN Series, and with every chance it could be again, every point will be fought over.
“We want to build up an advantage that we can defend at Poole a week later.”
KEMP BACK FOR BANDITS
BERWICK have booked former No.1 Drew Kemp to make a guest appearance when they face Redcar at Shielfield Park on Saturday.
Kemp stepped away from the Cab Direct Championship over the winter but remains hugely popular with Bandits fans after his successful stint with the club in recent years.
Now he will come in for the injured Peter Kildemand with another ex-Bandit Sam Hagon also coming in at reserve as they look to maintain an impressive home record.
ALLEN KEY FOR BEARS
REDCAR promoter Jamie Swales has highlighted the winter signing of Jake Allen as being crucial to give the Bears the balance which has proved successful so far this season.
Swales said: “I know a lot of the focus is on the strength we have, and will maintain no matter what the averages throw at us, in the reserve berths.
“But I just want to say that the key to our balanced team is the fact that we were able to secure Jake on such a false average. It’s his inclusion that made the ‘balance’ possible.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
IT’S a huge weekend of Cab Direct Championship action with seven meetings taking place over Friday and Saturday… Champions Poole travel to Redcar in a re-arranged fixture on Friday… Oxford are on a northern tour as they visit Edinburgh on Friday and Workington on Saturday… the Comets also race at Glasgow on Friday… Scunthorpe give a debut to Dan Gilkes when they face Berwick at home on Friday before making the long trip to Plymouth the following day… Berwick then return home to take on Redcar on Saturday… Meanwhile the last MAXiCab KO Cup quarter-final gets underway at Oxford on Wednesday with the Cheetahs taking on Poole.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY MAY 13:
MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Oxford v Poole 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 14:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHP R1: Ipswich (39) v Belle Vue (51) 7.30, Leicester v King’s Lynn 7.30, Sheffield v Northampton 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 15:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Oxford 7.30, Glasgow v Workington 7.30, Redcar (36) v Poole (54) 7.30, Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 16:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7pm, Workington v Oxford 6pm
MONDAY MAY 18:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: King’s Lynn (40) v Ipswich (50) 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 20:
MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Poole v Oxford 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 21:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Northampton (33) v Leicester (57) 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 22:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Middlesbrough 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 23:
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Middlesbrough v Edinburgh 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 24:
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Leicester 3pm
CHALLENGE: Buxton v Stoke Potters Select 3pm
MONDAY MAY 25:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Belle Vue v Sheffield 12pm, Sheffield v Belle Vue 7.30
