WELCOME to the latest edition of the weekly BSPA bulletins keeping you in touch with news, views and fixtures from the tracks up and down the country.
BIG EVENT LATEST
PETER Toogood reckons the race for the Elite League Pairs will be just as tight as the league title itself. The British Speedway chairman is struggling to pick a winner thanks to the winter reshuffle.
The event, the first in the Super 7even series, takes place at the Norfolk Arena in King's Lynn on Saturday, April 5 and will feature the top two riders from every Elite League club.
Said Toogood: "I'm looking forward to this meeting, it proved to be very popular at King's Lynn last year and I'm sure the same will apply this time around.
"Some very tough decisions were made during the winter and yet the Elite League is an even contest, it's very difficult to predict who will finish where.
"The same applies with the Elite League Pairs, how can anyone really say with any confidence which duo will come out on top. Last year wasn't a great surprise with Bjarne Pedersen and Jason Crump winning Poole, but now Jason is in Belle Vue colours!
"Eastbourne could be strong, as could Coventry with Chris Harris and Rory Schlein. And Wolves have two Grand Prix riders in Freddie Lindgren and Niels Kristian Iversen, so they could do some damage.
"It's a great way for the Super 7even series to start and I'm confident fans will enjoy the action." Racing starts at 7pm but gates will open at 4pm with a rider autograph session close to the entrance to the stadium at 5.30. The parade starts at 6.45.
SUPER 7EVEN DATES AND VENUES: ELITE LEAGUE BEST PAIRS: King's Lynn, Saturday April 5 - 7pm BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Arena-Essex, Friday April 25 - 7.30 BRITISH FINAL: Swindon, Thursday May 29 - 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday June 27 - 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Workington, Saturday July 26 - 7pm ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham, Wednesday August 20 - 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 21 - 3.30
BELLE VUE manager Chris Morton has decided to pair former World Champion Jason Crump with promising young Swede Billy Forsberg at the top of the Aces' riding order, with Charlie Gjedde and Lukasz Jankowski the other regular combination.
Morton said: "There were several permutations we could have tried. There was a temptation to give Gjedde the No 1 job in view of his fine record at Belle Vue but I considered that involved an element of risk.
"It is important to make a good start to a meeting and I was not comfortable about putting Gjedde straight into the job, even though he went well in practice. But the situation will be reviewed after a couple of meetings."
COVENTRY skipper Chris Harris says the Bees will be keen to hit back in their Good Friday clash with Wolverhampton after slipping to a 16-point defeat at Monmore Green.
Harris said: "The team couldn't get going, we couldn't get out of the start and we weren't riding the track like it should have been ridden, so the better team won on the night.
"It's early days so we'll keep plugging away and hope the boys can learn from this and we can start winning again, and there's no doubt we'll be having a talk before Friday's meeting."
EASTBOURNE star Scott Nicholls won three races on his debut for the Eagles - and then promised there is plenty more to come from him this season.
Nicholls said: "All in all I was fairly happy. It's nice to finish on a high note, and Leigh (Adams) had been on fire, so it's pleasing to stop someone going through the card.
"It's still really early days for us to be up to full speed. This is only my second proper meeting, and it takes a while to get in the swing of things but I feel comfortable on the bike. I've got more testing and more improvements to make."
IPSWICH skipper Chris Louis says improved communication can help the Witches to a much stronger season after a forgettable 2007.
Louis said: "Last season we had a good bunch of lads, but to be perfectly honest language difficulties didn't help. The likes of Zibi Suchecki and Marcin Rempala started okay, but just couldn't progress because we couldn't communicate properly.
"Communication is a big factor and can make quite a difference. I want this team to go through the season chasing the play-offs. This year we are perfectly capable."
LAKESIDE manager Jon Cook took confidence from the Hammers' 13-point home victory over Poole with several members of their team showing good form.
Cook said: "I was pleased with the performance of the side and it shows that we are a team that should be up there fighting for the title towards the end of the summer. The lads all put in good rides against Poole, who are the bookies favourites to take the title.
"Andreas (Jonsson) was superb but I was particularly pleased for Joonas (Kylmakorpi) who has come back well after his injury problems last year."
PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Mick Bratley is predicting that the Panthers can bring down a Lakeside team who are being strongly tipped for honours this season when they meet in the Craven Shield this week. Bratley said: "It will be a good test for our young side against Lakeside, as the Hammers are, for some reason, everyone's tip for the title.
"Well, they certainly are not my tip for the top and I confidently expect our boys to 'nail' them and bring them back down to earth with a bump."
POOLE newcomer Adam Skornicki has made a spectacular start to the season with 14 points on his debut against Lakeside, and a further nine in the return fixture at Purfleet.
Skornicki said: "The first meeting was very good for me, and (at Lakeside) was alright as well. I hope it can keep going for the rest of the season.
"I'm in a very good team and I have very high hopes. When I'm around young guys and people who want to win, I try to do the same because I don't want to let them down."
SWINDON's Travis McGowan is looking for a change of luck this year after suffering a series of shoulder injuries last season.
McGowan said: "I was out for a lot of last year which is very uncharacteristic for me. I have never missed so many meetings in my whole career and it takes a lot every time to come back.
"A lot is said for the mental side because the body hurts but the mind takes a bit longer to clear. I have had time away and once the body gets stronger the mind does come back in time."
WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Freddie Lindgren was in a jubilant mood after helping his side to a 53-37 win over Coventry in the Craven Shield.
He said: “It’s a great way for us to start the season, we were really on form and went for it from the start. “Our new signings rode well and it’s an encouraging start for us, but we have to build on this in the weeks to come.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK promoter Peter Waite is considering his options after new signing Manuel Hauzinger suffered a broken collarbone before actually making his debut for the club.
Waite said: "I cannot believe how this works, for our new guy has broken his collar bone in a speedway accident and is out of action for maybe four weeks or more, but we are denied rider replacement or an average-compatible guest."
BIRMINGHAM newboy Kyle Legault slammed referee Tony Steele after missing out to David Howe in a close decision on Sunday.
Howe went on to win the Alan Hunt Memorial Trophy but Legault felt he beat him on the line. “All the guys on the start line thought I got it and in my opinion the referee got it wrong. I want to see a replay,” said Legault.
EDINBURGH star Ryan Fisher has revealed that the 2008 season is make-or-break for him as he drops to the Premier League for the first time in his career.
The American said: "It is so important for me to have a good season with no injuries or bike failures. It's my aim to try and top the Premier League averages, and if I don't have a good campaign my career is over. It's a last throw of the dice for me."
GLASGOW rescued victory from the jaws of defeat with a dramatic win over Berwick in their first home fixture of the season.
The Tigers trailed by six points with three heats to go, but turned it around for a 47-43 win, thanks in no small part to a stunning 5-1 from Australian youngsters Mitchell Davey and Josh Grajczonek in Heat 14.
ISLE OF WIGHT star Glen Phillips is delighted with the Smallbrook Stadium track this year after significant work has taken place over the winter.
Phillips said: "All credit to the track staff here, who have seemingly eradicated every single bump around the circuit. I've never known our track so smooth, and I'm sure that the racing here this season is going to be even faster than it's been in the past."
KING'S LYNN boss Buster Chapman admitted his side had been on a hiding to nothing when they took on local rivals, top-flight Ipswich, and lost 58-34 at home.
Chapman said: "Deep down we never expected to win this one. The Polish riders in the Ipswich team have been busy practising hard and we haven't had that luxury. I was impressed with the way our lads tackled the job."
MILDENHALL manager Laurence Rogers felt his side could take great credit from scoring 34 points at Elite League Peterborough in an inter-league challenge fixture.
Rogers said: "I felt very proud of our boys, and hopefully a fair few Peterborough fans will have been impressed enough to come and visit us on a regular basis. The only downside was Robbie Kessler's crash, but all the boys rode well and we need to build on that."
NEWCASTLE manager George English was pleased with his side's response to their opening home defeat as they secured a nine-point win over Stoke.
English said: "We were better tonight but I know we will be even better again over the next few weeks. Some of the lads are still settling in whereas others are right on the ball now and scoring well as proven by Jason King."
NEWPORT promoter Tim Stone is keen for the Wasps to start the season in positive fashion when they face local rivals Somerset on Easter Sunday.
Stone said: "Somerset are our nearest neighbours and in recent years they've had the better of our clashes, but I feel that could be about to change."
READING boss Malcolm Holloway feels this Friday's challenge match against Somerset should be a good test after the Racers took a 17-point win over the Rebels earlier in the week.
Holloway said: "We have several members of the side who like to open up the throttle and race. The Oak Tree Arena provides plenty of scope for riders like this to express themselves fully. I can’t wait to get there and see our boys in action."
REDCAR promoter Glyn Taylor was delighted with the success of the Bears' private practice session under the control of six-times World Champion Ivan Mauger.
Taylor said: "The majority of the time was spent on starting and first turn technique - not just what you do at the start, but how you prepare for it. Ivan's approach was exceptional, as usual."
RYE HOUSE promoter Len Silver has predicted an open race for the Premier League title as the reigning champions plot the defence of their title - and is hoping that one of his riders will make a major step-up to boost their chances.
Silver said: "When you have new riders in your team, you only have to pick up somebody like we did last year in Tai Woffinden, who started as a three-point reserve and ended up as a top heat-leader. If that happens to your team, you have a good chance of winning the league."
SCUNTHORPE boss Kenny Smith is happy with the Scorpions' riding order, with Lincolnshire pair of Andrew Moore and Carl Wilkinson named at Nos. 1 and 2, with Swedish duo Magnus Karlsson and Viktor Bergstrom teaming up in the middle order.
Smith said: "Andrew and Wilko will give us a strong pairing for the opening heat and I’m sure Viktor and Magnus will be a good pairing. Viktor likes to ride wide whilst Magnus tends to favour the inside. I’m sure Richard (Hall) will ensure the reserves have a strong partner and the team looks well balanced to me."
SHEFFIELD owner Neil Machin insists there is nothing to worry about after seeing his side slump to two successive defeats at the hands of Elite League champions Coventry.
He said: “The gap between Elite and Premier League speedway is still big and we were up against a top team.
“But it was a good workout for us and I feel sure we’ll be competitive in the Premier Trophy which starts this week.”
SOMERSET will be keen for revenge over Reading when the sides stage the first meeting of the season at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday, the Racers having won 54-37 at Smallmead on Monday.
The Rebels were restricted to four heat winners on the night and their tactical ride backfired in Heat 10 when Emil Kramer finished behind home duo Mark Lemon and Tomas Suchanek.
STOKE manager John Adams felt there were encouraging signs from the Potters' opening fixture of the season, a 51-42 defeat at Newcastle after the scheduled Loomer Road clash between the clubs had been rained-off.
Adams said: "Five of our riders had race wins, and we always seemed to be in contention without quite reeling them in. I'm pleased enough and we can definitely build on this."
WORKINGTON’S broken leg-victim Craig Branney has been to Derwent Park to look at the new-look track. He said: “That’s when it really hit home that I won’t be riding at the start of the season.
“I was so looking forward to riding the new-look track and it looks an absolute dream at the moment. The guys are really going to enjoy going round there.”
FIXTURE PICTURE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 19: PREMIER TROPHY: King's Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 20: CRAVEN SHIELD: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30, Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Redcar v Stoke 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.45
FRIDAY MARCH 21: CRAVEN SHIELD: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 11am, Poole v Eastbourne 11am, Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Eastbourne v Poole 7.30, Ipswich v Lakeside 2.15, Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v King's Lynn 7.45, Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, King's Lynn v Birmingham 12pm, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 5pm CHALLENGE: Somerset v Reading 7.30
SATURDAY MARCH 22: PREMIER TROPHY: Berwick v Workington 7pm, Stoke v Redcar 7.30 CHALFONT COACHES TROPHY 1st leg: Isle of Wight v Reading 7.30 CONFERENCE CHALLENGE: Rye House v Arena-Essex 7pm
SUNDAY MARCH 23: ELITE SHIELD: Swindon v Coventry 6pm PREMIER TROPHY: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Mildenhall v King's Lynn 4.30, Newcastle v Redcar 5.30, Newport v Somerset 3pm CHALFONT COACHES TROPHY 2nd leg: Reading v Isle of Wight 6pm
MONDAY MARCH 24: ELITE SHIELD: Coventry v Swindon 8pm CRAVEN SHIELD: Peterborough v Ipswich 6.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Rye House v Mildenhall 2pm, Workington v Berwick 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Boston 3pm
WEDNESDAY MARCH 26: CRAVEN SHIELD: Poole v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Mildenhall 7.45, King's Lynn v Rye House 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 27: CRAVEN SHIELD: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Stoke 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 28: CRAVEN SHIELD: Coventry v Belle Vue 8pm, Lakeside v Peterborough 8pm PREMIER TROPHY: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Newport 7.30
SATURDAY MARCH 29: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Rye House v King's Lynn 7pm, Stoke v Scunthorpe 7.30, Workington v Edinburgh 7pm
SUNDAY MARCH 30: PREMIER TROPHY: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Mildenhall v Berwick 4.30, Newcastle v Sheffield 5.30, Newport v Reading 3pm
MONDAY MARCH 31: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30m, Coventry v Eastbourne 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Reading v Somerset 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 1: PREMIER TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Newport 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 2: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Rye House 7.45 BRITISH UNDER-21 QUALIFIER: King's Lynn 7.30
