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…
GREAT Britain boss Jim Lynch reckons Coventry's Simon Stead has a golden opportunity to kick-start his season at the British Final.
Lynch knows Stead well from his time at Peterborough in the early stages of his career and feels he has a great chance of qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Cardiff next month.
The highest placed rider in the Swindon event on May 29 - apart from GP regulars Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls - will book themselves a place at the Millennium Stadium.
Said Lynch: "With Lee Richardson struggling with injury, the race for a wildcard spot is wide open but it wouldn't surprise me to see Simon and David Howe as the more experienced lads in there challenging.
"I know Simon likes the Swindon track, it suits his riding style and this is a great chance for him to make progress.
"I know the other lads will have something to say about that, I'm really looking forward to this meeting as I reckon the racing will be fierce."
Lynch has picked Eastbourne's Lewis Bridger, William Lawson from Edinburgh and Sheffield's Ricky Ashworth as wildcards for the event which starts at 7.30pm.
LINE-UP: James Wright (Swindon), Scott Nicholls (Eastbourne), Tai Woffinden (Rye House), Chris Harris (Coventry), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Adam Roynon (Birmingham), Lee Richardson (Eastbourne), Edward Kennett (Eastbourne), Leigh Lanham (Lakeside), Simon Stead (Coventry), Ben Barker (Stoke), Oliver Allen (Coventry), William Lawson (Edinburgh), Daniel King (Peterborough), David Howe (Wolverhampton), Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne).
SUPER 7EVEN DATES AND VENUES: BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Arena-Essex, Friday April 25 - TAI WOFFINDEN 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 BEST PAIRS: Swindon, Sunday August 17 – 6pm ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham, Wednesday August 20 - 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 21 - 3.30 www.super7even.com or www.speedwaygb.com
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE legend Jason Lyons proved he can still mix it at Elite League level with a crucial double-figure contribution in the Aces' 48-42 home win over Poole.
Lyons' 11-point haul proved to be the difference in the clash between two injury-hit teams as he made a guest appearance for broken thumb victim Billy Forsberg.
Aces boss Chris Morton said: "I am so impressed with the guts this team showed. We knew it would be hard against a team who had hit a rich vein of form and, of course, we have still got our injury problems. But we are getting stuck in and making up for our problems. This team has such a lot of mettle."
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes is hopeful that the Bees will not be without key second-string Olly Allen for too much longer, as his absence was clearly felt during their recent home defeat by Lakeside.
Oakes said: "There's no doubt that we suffered without him because he is a gater and we just didn't pick up enough points from his rider replacement rides. We do need to hope that he can get back as soon as possible.
"We know what a good gater he is, probably the best in the team on a consistent level, and he certainly has been this year around Brandon, and we did miss that, although that's not an excuse for what happened."
EASTBOURNE are considering their options after a run of four consecutive defeats, including two on home territory at Arlington.
The Eagles are currently without skipper Lee Richardson due to a wrist injury, and manager Trevor Geer said: "We all know the reserves aren't scoring and you can't win matches when other team's reserves are getting double figures.
"We are looking all the time. We have got to do something in that reserve position. It's getting the right man somewhere, maybe we can do something for 28 days."
IPSWICH have leapt into the top four after two away wins in three days at Eastbourne and Wolverhampton, with Polish star Piotr Swiderski playing a key role.
Manager Pete Simmons said: "All of the riders have done their bit and I've got to be happy with them. We said we would have been happy with one away win from these matches, but now we've done two on the bounce.
"It's moved us right up into the play-off zone so I'm delighted. We're on a roll with five wins on the trot."
LAKESIDE promoter Stuart Douglas expressed his relief after the Hammers fought back from 10-points down to secure a dramatic home win over close rivals Eastbourne.
Douglas said: "I'm not sure I have the disposition to handle it that close very week but what a tremendous feeling to fight back from a hefty deficit and come away with absolutely vital league points.
"All credit to Eastbourne, they were really fast out of the blocks and we were playing catch up constantly. Last season we would have capitulated - that's the difference with the riders we have now. We will not give up."
PETERBOROUGH feel the balance of their team is set to receive an immediate boost with the signing of ex-Panther Henning Bager, who will make his debut on Thursday against Wolverhampton.
Team boss Trevor Swales said: "I have known Henning for a long time and he will do a good job for us both at Alwalton which he loves, and away especially on the smaller circuits.
"He really wants to ride for the Panthers, and another benefit of him coming is that it enables Morten Risager to go down to reserve which will help his confidence as well. Henning will go into the team at No.2 and will partner team captain Hans Andersen."
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is calling on his supporters to come out in force to Wednesday night's clash with in-form Ipswich at Wimborne Road.
Ford said: "The football match (Champions League Final) will be broadcast on the TV screens inside the glass-fronted stand and so fans of both sports can keep in touch with exactly what is happening in both places.
"I am unsure at the moment as to whether Chris (Holder) will be fit enough to line-up for us. He is a tough young man and I know that if there is a chance he can ride he will do."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter believes that Mads Korneliussen's form in the early part of the season has been good enough to secure him the Wild Card berth for his home Grand Prix in Copenhagen next month.
Rossiter said: "Mads has made significant progress in the last few seasons, not just with Swindon, but throughout the speedway World. His performance on Saturday (third in Danish Championship) further emphasises his breathtaking form and must make him the main contender for a Wild Card spot at Copenhagen.
"This result confirms that he can mix it with the heavy hitters and he therefore deserves a shot at the big time. Mads is now consistently performing better than many of his compatriots, riders such as Kenneth Bjerre, Charlie Gjedde and Nicolai Klindt."
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams has admitted time is running out for his under-pressure riders.
The Monmore men suffered their third home defeat of the season at the hands of Ipswich to leave Adams and owner Chris Van Straaten considering their options.
“The clock is ticking for this team and for certain riders it’s ticking louder with every meeting,” said Adams.
“We’re in a rebuilding process at the club but we need to start winning sooner rather than later.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK have picked up two former Newport riders having now added the signing of Sebastian Truminski to go alongside Tony Atkin, with both set to make their debuts on Saturday.
Promoter Peter Waite said: "Sebastian enjoyed his all-too-brief spell with us last season and is looking forward to a prolonged session in the black and gold colours this year. He's more accomplished this season and I think our fans will see the improvement."
BIRMINGHAM are set to track a full team in their Premier Trophy clash with King’s Lynn on Sunday for the first time in almost two-months.
New signing Craig Watson makes his debut for the club and both Phil Morris and James Birkinshaw are set to return from injury.
Boss Graham Drury said: “Considering everything we’ve been up against we’ve kept our season going really well. It will be good to have the lads back.”
EDINBURGH celebrated their Diamond Jubilee year with a special event involving over fifty of the club's riders and officials from past and present at Tynecastle Stadium last weekend.
Double World Finalist from the late Sixties Bernie Persson was in attendance, and he said: "This is my first time back in Edinburgh in 40 years, and it's great to see everybody again."
GLASGOW co-promoter Alan Dick has underlined the difficulty that clubs face when they suffer injury problems such as those which have afflicted the Tigers of late.
Dick said: "The basic problem is, as all clubs are finding out, there are no riders out there in Britain to come in. We are having to look abroad but still the options are quite limited. We have spoken to a number of riders who are unable or unwilling to come over at this time."
ISLE OF WIGHT team manager Martin Newnham was in bullish mood after his side secured qualification for the next round of the Knockout Cup with an exciting aggregate triumph over Sheffield, overturning a 14-point first leg deficit.
Newnham said: "That was dramatic, that was brave, that was brilliant and make no mistake, the Isle of Wight are up for the Cup!"
KING'S LYNN star Kevin Doolan believes the Stars can still have a major say in the race for Premier League honours this season after a rather inconsistent start to the campaign.
Doolan said: "We've got some young guys in the team, and from day one we knew there was work to do. Once the luck starts swinging our way then watch out. I know we've got a good team and we're going to go far."
MILDENHALL know they face another difficult meeting on home territory when they welcome a Reading team with no fewer than three former Fen Tigers riders on Sunday.
Manager Laurence Rogers said: "They also have Ulrich Ostergaard who was all but unbeatable around West Row last year. So we know we are up against it and we have alternated the team around accordingly. We are awaiting fitness news on Mark Baseby, and it looks like being a cracker."
NEWCASTLE manager George English has hinted at possible changes after the Diamonds lost a thriller at home to Somerset - their second Premier League defeat on their own circuit so far this season.
English said: "The team will be desperately relieved to have George (Stancl) back should his plan come together to race in our next match in around ten days' time at King's Lynn, but there's still problems within the side and we'll have to look closely at things soon."
READING have signed Nicki Glanz to give them additional cover at reserve with Danny Warwick still struggling with an injured shoulder.
Promoter Malcolm Holloway said: "Unfortunately, Danny is going to be out for at least another month and as we've had so many problems trying to find suitable guests to replace him each week, we have made the decision to bring Nicki into the team in the interim. He has really impressed us with his performances at Smallmead in the past few weeks and if he continues to do so in our upcoming matches, we'll look at bringing him here on a full transfer."
REDCAR are already making plans to retain the services of rising Australian star Ty Proctor for the 2009 season.
Bears manager Brian Havelock said: "He’s going to be as good as Chris Holder - absolutely. He wants two years in the Premier League, and we want him for two years. He won’t be ready for the Elite League at the end of this year - but next year he’ll be superb at this level."
RYE HOUSE team manager John Sampford says that teenage sensation Tai Woffinden is already one of the greatest riders in the history of the club.
Sampford said: "He's towards if not already at the top. He's so gifted, he's got the right temperament and nothing phases him. We've almost run out of adjectives to describe his talent, he's just top-notch."
SCUNTHORPE received a double setback over the weekend with a narrow defeat at Glasgow - a meeting they went into without captain Richard Hall, who injured the ankle he broke last season in a crash in France.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "This is a bitter pill to swallow. I’d always got this down as one we could win. Obviously Richard's crash was a major blow because we just got two points from rider replacement, but we shouldn't have lost."
SHEFFIELD’S Ricky Ashworth insists he’s not going to next week’s British Final just to make up the numbers.
Ashworth has been selected for the showpiece event by new Great Britain boss Jim Lynch.
He said: “I know the meeting will be tough because there's some top riders in it, but it's going to be a good opportunity to put myself up against guys with Grand Prix experience."
SOMERSET have established a strong position in the Premier League after two more strong results over the weekend, starting with a comfortable home win over Berwick.
The Rebels then pulled off a remarkable comeback to win at Newcastle on Sunday, having trailed by twelve points with five heats to go. Jason Doyle was the hero with a winning tactical substitute ride in Heat 14 followed by a last-heat 5-1 with Emil Kramer.
STOKE's Danish youngster Jesper Kristiansen scored his first paid maximum in British speedway with a four-ride full house in the Potters' weekend win over Mildenhall.
Kristiansen said: "I was really pleased with my starts and thought it went well."
WORKINGTON have cleared the air with star man Daniel Nermark following his absence from two recent Comets meetings due to injury, and the Swede has apologised to the club's supporters for racing in Poland the following day.
Promoter Keith Denham said: "Ian (Thomas) and I told him straight how he had let down the club, his team-mates and the fans and he gave us a prepared statement on his own headed paper. We fined him £500 which he accepted and asked us if we would donate it to the fund set-up for Barry Burchatt, which of course we were happy to do."
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY MAY 20: PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Redcar 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 21: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Boston v Rye House 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 22: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Workington 7.45 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 23: PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Somerset v Stoke 7.30 CONFERENCE TROPHY: Plymouth v Weymouth 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 24: PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Stoke v Workington 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Rye House v Redcar 7pm CONFERENCE TROPHY: Weymouth v Plymouth 7.15 SUSSEX JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 25: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 4pm, Mildenhall v Reading 4.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v King's Lynn 6pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Sittingbourne v Redcar 12pm CONFERENCE TROPHY: Buxton v Boston 3pm
MONDAY MAY 26: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Peterborough 8pm, Peterborough v Coventry 1.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Berwick 2pm, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 3pm PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Reading v Somerset 4pm, Workington v Stoke 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Scunthorpe v Buxton (follows PL fixture)
TUESDAY MAY 27: PREMIER LEAGUE: Reading v Rye House 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 28: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Birmingham v Rye House 7.45
THURSDAY MAY 29: BRITISH FINAL: Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 30: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Reading 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30 BEST PAIRS: Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 31: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Isle of Wight 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE PAIRS: Weymouth 7.15 JUNIOR 3TT: Stoke 7.30
SUNDAY JUNE 1: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Sheffield 4pm, Mildenhall v Somerset 4.30, Newcastle v Isle of Wight 5.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Sittingbourne v Boston 12pm
MONDAY JUNE 2: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Reading v Stoke 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 3: PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 4: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Workington 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY SEMI FINAL: Birmingham v Sheffield 7.45
