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…

IAN Thomas, the man who invented the Four Team Tournament in the 70s, insists his Workington side are taking nothing for granted when they stage the event on July 26 (7pm).

The Comets manager is predicting a tough contest at Derwent Park when eight Premier League clubs do battle for the prestigious title.

Thomas knows the winning feeling having helped his side to the Pairs title at Somerset last month – and he’s also tasted success in the Fours with the Comets in the past.

“I’m looking forward to this and I understand why people regard us as favourites,” said Thomas. “And realistically, we have a good chance, not just because we’re at home but because we have a strong line-up.

“I would back our lads anywhere, but there are riders throughout the line-up who know how to ride around Derwent Park and we won’t be complacent.

“If we miss out it won’t be because of our attitude, I’ll make sure of that. We’re expecting a big crowd and a big atmosphere.”

The meeting will enjoy backing from Moss Bay Metals and gates open at 5pm… earlier than previously advertised.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The correct number for advance ticket sales for all Super 7even events is 0871 220 0260.

LINE-UP:
GROUP A - SOMERSET: Jason Doyle, Emil Kramer, Jordan Frampton, Simon Walker. WORKINGTON: Daniel Nermark, Kauko Nieminen, Carl Stonehewer, Joe Haines. SHEFFIELD: Andre Compton, Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Joel Parsons. EDINBURGH: William Lawson, Andrew Tully, Mattew Wethers, Ryan Fisher.
GROUP B - KING'S LYNN: Kevin Doolan, Tomas Topinka, Shaun Tacey, Rusty Harrison. NEWCASTLE: George Stancl, Josef Franc, Jason King, Christian Henry. BERWICK: Adrian Rymel, Mikal Makovsky, Norbert Magosi, Tero Aarnio. READING: Ulrich Ostergaard, Mark Lemon, Tom P Madsen, Chris Mills.

SUPER 7EVEN DATES AND VENUES:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Arena-Essex, Friday April 25 - TAI WOFFINDEN
BRITISH FINAL: Swindon, Thursday May 29 - SCOTT NICHOLLS
PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somers et, Friday June 27 - WORKINGTON
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 are still considering their options for new signings after learning that injured duo Steve Boxall and Lukasz Jankowski have now been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Promoter David Gordon said: "It is disappointing for Lukasz, Steve and us as a club but it seems the right thing to do so they can get their careers back on track next season.

"We will continue to trawl the transfer market to see what develops in terms of bringing in replacements."

COVENTRY were indebted to No.8 Ben Barker for a 12 (paid 15) score which helped them overcome an early twelve-point deficit to beat Swindon 52-41 and move off the bottom of the table.

Barker said: "It was special for me to do that in the Elite League, and I was on a high at the end of the meeting.

"When we were twelve points down I thought 'Oaksey's (Peter Oakes) not going to be very happy here' but we all realised what had to be done."

EASTBOURNE'S teenage reserve Simon Gustafsson feels his gating is improving in consistency, which should help his improvement over the second half of the season.

Gustafsson said: "Gating has been a problem for a while but my starts are getting better and I'm riding faster now.

"I think you get more aggressive if you know you can beat a man going into the first corner. It's down to confidence."

IPSWICH rider/manager Chris Louis believes that with matches in hand a top two finish in the Elite League is still well within the Witches' grasp.

Louis said: "Historically finishing third or fourth does not mean a final play-off place, and with Poole and Swindon setting a fast pace we have some catching up to do.

"But we have proved already that we can string wins together and we will be looking to do it again."

LAKESIDE star Jonas Davidsson is targeting a full-time place in the Grand Prix next season - and showed his credentials in this week's World Cup event at Coventry.

Davidsson said: "The Final is still a long way off, but I am in the meeting and that means I have a chance of finishing in the top three, just like everyone else.

"It is going to be tough but I am mixing it with the top guys every Tuesday night in Sweden and I was happy with the way I performed at Gothenburg. I have also started scoring some good points in Britain as well."

PETERBOROUGH co-promoter and commercial director Mick Bratley has stepped down from his roles with the club, although he is expected to continue his close management role with present Panthers captain Hans Andersen.

Bratley said: "I have worked really hard for the current owner of the club and I am extremely proud of my efforts. Peterborough Speedway now has a continuous rich vein of commercial sponsorship coming into the club for which it is also very reliant upon.

"I've enjoyed my time and I would like to particularly thank the many people behind the scenes who tirelessly keep the club running."

POOLE returnee Magnus Zetterstrom says he is relishing his latest spell with the Wimborne Road club, who he captained to the Elite League title back in 2004.
Zetterstrom said: "I've done over and above what I'm meant to do as a No.2. It's always great to do well and speedway's always easier when you're winning.

"We're not going to get carried away now we're top of the league though because there's still a long way to go."

SWINDON have made a change at No.8 by signing Joel Parsons in place of the injured Cory Gathercole to give them added cover at reserve with Seb Alden now out for the season.

Co-owner Gary Patchett said: "The injury to Cory means that we were vulnerable as a team without a designated No.8 rider. Whilst we are actively seeking replacements for Seb, it is good to know we can rely on Joel, rather than calling on guest replacements.

"This gives the club added stability during the late-July, early-August schedule, and we're confident Joel will perform well when called upon."

WOLVERHAMPTON owner Chris Van Straaten is warning his side to expect a tough test after the World Cup break when Eastbourne visit Monmore Green on Monday.

He said: “It's going to be hard. Eastbourne seem to have a team packed with Monmore Green specialists so it should be a cracking meeting and we're all looking forward to it.

"Some of the boys have been in World Cup action, others have taken a break. Hopefully we will resume on Monday and give us all a boost for the rest of the season."

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK boss Peter Waite was pleased to see his side record an emphatic win over Rye House in damp conditions at Shielfield Park.

Waite said: "This felt good to get one over the current League champions. It was great to see Michal (Makovsky) showing that good old form of old now his bikes are back to their best."

BIRMINGHAM have called on the services of a psychic medium to help lift the curse on the team – and the Perry Barr track!

The Brummies have had every rider out with injury at one stage or another in an unlucky season for the club.

"Philip Solomon is well known in the West Midlands area for the work he does," said boss Graham Drury. "He actually approached us and I did some research into what he does and we all feel he can lift the injury curse on the team and on the track itself.”

EDINBURGH continue to keep themselves up amongst the favourites for Premier League honours this season after a highly impressive win at Reading on Sunday.

Club director Mike Hunter said: "It was possibly our most committed and impressive performance yet and a vital triumph at Reading, where no other side has won in the Premier League."

GLASGOW have already made their first new signing for next season after agreeing a deal with 17-year-old Danish rider Peter Juul.

Tigers co-promoter Alan Dick said: "I have spent a lot of time in discussion with both Peter and his Dad, and they certainly know what they want to achieve in this sport. I am so delighted that they feel that Glasgow is the place for them to do it."

The ISLE OF WIGHT are considering the possibility of signing a temporary replacement for Cory Gathercole, who will be out for a month after breaking his left hand.

Gathercole said: "I'll be unable to ride a speedway bike for four to five weeks with it being at least four weeks until the wires can come out, assuming the bones have knitted together at that point. I'm gutted that this has happened."

KING'S LYNN manager Rob Lyon is expecting a battle royal when Somerset visit the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday in a vital top-four clash.

Lyon said: "The Rebels have out-performed us so far this season, they are a solid team just like ourselves and this meeting is definitely a clash of the titans. I believe we have what it takes, but every member of the team is going to have to dig deep and perform to the best of their ability."

MILDENHALL are hopeful of having some new faces in their team ahead of their fixtures this weekend.

Manager Laurence Rogers said: "I have two particular targets in mind and hope that we can conclude a deal with them very soon. It would be a boost to have them signed and sealed in time for our Northern tour this weekend to Workington and Glasgow."

NEWCASTLE were run close by local rivals Berwick before a crucial Heat 14 5-1 secured the League points for the Diamonds.

Co-promoter Darryl Illingworth said: "This was a good win, but for a while towards the end things got too close for comfort. Thankfully Jerran (Hart) and Jason (King) ended our concerns with a brilliant 5-1 to clinch the match and put us up the League by a couple of places."

READING promoter Malcolm Holloway is keen for his side to bounce back quickly having been beaten on their home circuit by Edinburgh at the weekend.

Holloway said: "We are still licking our wounds after losing at home to Edinburgh. Don’t get me wrong, the Monarchs are an excellent side, but we should have performed better on our own racing strip."

REDCAR star Chris Kerr is anxious to make up for lost time having made his comeback at Sheffield last Thursday after missing most of the season so far with a broken leg.

Kerr said: "I’m happy to be back on a bike - before my first race at Sheffield my heart was racing. It was good to get my first meeting out of the way. I was really shooting for eight points and I could have got it but I probably had the set-up a little too conservative for the first meeting."

RYE HOUSE gained no points from their three-match Northern tour - and came the closest to a win with an agonising one-point defeat at title contenders Edinburgh.

Team boss John Sampford said: "You could not fault any of the riders. Some scored more and others less but they all gave 100 per cent in what were atrocious conditions."

SCUNTHORPE have quickly re-scheduled their vital Premier League clash with King's Lynn for this Friday after the meeting was called off due to a deluge last weekend.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "It immediately stopped once the decision had been made but in fairness the damage had been done and it would have been difficult to say whether the track would be raceable. I’m just sorry for all the fans who travelled to watch what had the makings of a superb speedway meeting."

SHEFFIELD rider Lee Smethills wants to be back on a bike within the next month.
Smethills suffered a back injury in the recent win at Mildenhall and has been told to expect a six-week lay-off.

But he said: “I want to be back well before then. It’s just a case of resting up but I want to be back racing again as soon as possible.”

SOMERSET skipper Simon Walker remains on the sidelines after suffering rib and back injuries in a crash at Reading at the end of last month.

Manager Steve Bishop said: "The loss of Simon is a blow to the team, but I am sure that the rest of the guys will rally round and we will be able to cope without him."

STOKE suffered a total weekend washout with early postponements of both their home clash with Redcar and the away trip to Mildenhall.

Promoter Dave Tattum said: "It's all very frustrating and we will have a lot of meetings to catch up on."

WORKINGTON'S Craig Branney has been forced to accept that he will not be able to make a comeback this year after breaking his leg at the pre-season Telford indoor ice event.

Branney said: "When they first operated I was told three to six months but I was naturally looking for the shortest recovery time. It’s going to be six months now and this season will have to be written off."

FIXTURE PICTURE…

WEDNESDAY JULY 16:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Reading 7.45, King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30
JUNIOR MEETING: Belle Vue 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 17:
PREMER LEAGUE: Redcar v Rye House 7.30, Sheffield v Somerset 7.45

FRIDAY JULY 18:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v King's Lynn 7pm
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Buxton (follows PL fixture)
CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Plymouth v Rye House 7.30
PAUL HURRY TESTIMONIAL: Lakeside 7.15
EXMOOR CHASE: Somerset 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 19:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Birmingham 7pm, Rye House v Redcar 7pm, Stoke v King's Lynn 7.30, Workington v Mildenhall 7pm
BRONZE HELMET: Weymouth 7.15
BRITISH UNDER 15 CHAMPIONSHIP Round 1: Redcar 3pm

SUNDAY JULY 20:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Mildenhall 4pm, Newcastle v Birmingham 5.30
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Boston v Buxton 7pm, Sittingbourne v Weymouth 12pm

MONDAY JULY 21:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Coventry v Lakeside 8pm, Ipswich v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Reading v Berwick 7.30

TUESDAY JULY 22:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Berwick 7.30

WEDNESDAY JULY 23:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Redcar 7.45, King's Lynn v Scunthorpe 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 24:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Ipswich 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45

FRIDAY JULY 25:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm
PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, Scunthorpe v Birmingham 7.30, Somerset v King's Lynn 7.30
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Plymouth v Sittingbourne 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 26:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30, Ipswich v Poole 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Workington 7pm
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Redcar v Rye House 3pm
KINGSWOOD TROPHY: Weymouth 7.15

SUNDAY JULY 27:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Reading 4pm, Mildenhall v Workington 4.30, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30, Rye House v Berwick 2pm, Stoke v Somerset 7.30
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Buxton v Boston 3pm
CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Rye House v Plymouth (follows PL fixture)

MONDAY JULY 28:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v Ipswich 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Reading v Glasgow 7.30
PETER CRAVEN MEMORIAL: Belle Vue 7.30

TUESDAY JULY 29:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Glasgow 7.30

WEDNESDAY JULY 30:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Berwick 7.45, King's Lynn v Mildenhall 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 31:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Lakeside 7.30, Swindon v Peterborough 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Stoke 7.45
SMALLBROOK SPECTACULAR: Isle of Wight 7.30