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.
SUPER 7EVEN ROLL OF HONOUR 2008:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Lakeside, Friday April 25 - TAI WOFFINDEN BRITISH FINAL: Swindon, Thursday May 29 - SCOTT NICHOLLS PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday June 27 - WORKINGTON PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Workington, Saturday July 26 - WORKINGTON ELITE LEAGUE BEST PAIRS: Swindon, Sunday August 17 - COVENTRY PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 21 - TAI WOFFINDEN ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham, Wednesday October 8 - JASON CRUMP
BIG EVENT LATEST
ALL eight teams will be represented when Stoke stage the Conference League Fours tournament at Loomer Road on Saturday, October 18.
"We are really looking forward to staging that meeting which will comprise of 24 heats in total," said promoter Dave Tattum.
"There will be two groups of four teams with the top two from each group going through to the final."
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST
BELLE VUE co-promoter Gordon Pairman says that better results away from home would have moved the Aces clear of having to avoid the relegation race-off by winning their last fixture.
Pairman said: "When we look back on the season we can see where we were so close to getting the points that would have avoided the fear of being in the relegation play-offs.
"We could easily have taken another five points from our away matches and that would have done so much to help us finish much higher in the table."
COVENTRY are looking to improve their results so far this season at Lakeside when they travel to Purfleet for the first leg of the Craven Shield Final on Thursday.
Manager Peter Oakes said: "We've been in with a chance of winning at virtually every away venue this season, with the exception so far of Lakeside.
"Although we've only had two away wins and a draw, we've forced last heat deciders at several other places throughout the year."
EASTBOURNE have re-arranged their home fixture against Wolverhampton for this Sunday to avoid a clash with the re-scheduled final Grand Prix of the season.
However, the Eagles will still be without No.1 Scott Nicholls due to a prior commitment in Poland, and the club have been granted a facility for his absence due to the circumstances of the GP postponement.
IPSWICH youngster Tobi Kroner says his broken finger could not have come at a worse time as it kept him out of several important fixtures.
Kroner said: "It may well have denied me a Grand Prix wild card place, and on top of this it also stopped me from helping Ipswich in their play-off semi-final at Poole, a! nd also from competing in the German Championship.
"I tried riding a bike in practice, but it did not work out."
LAKESIDE manager Jon Cook says the Hammers have vowed to bounce back from losing the Elite League Grand Final by making a major bid for another item of silverware - as they face Coventry in the Craven Shield Final.
Cook said: "We have had an unfortunate run of very bad injuries at the crucial stage of the season and that, without doubt, affected our ability in the latter stages. We held it together as best we could but fell short of the final hurdle.
"It is important that we regroup for Thursday, and, as we have started planning next season, it is vital that each and every rider leaves Stuart (Douglas) and myself with a very positive impression."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales says his side will not be put off by their results this season at Monmore Green as they prepare to face Wolves in the relegation race-off.
Swales said: "I don’t ! think you can take too much notice of the last two meetings at Monmore this year as we now have a completely different team, and we aren’t just going there to keep the scores close - we are going with the intention off winning, and I believe that is achievable.
"It’s a real shame that Ryan Sullivan couldn’t fit the play-offs into his schedule, but we have an excellent replacement in Rory Schlein and the captain’s role will be taken by Danny King who will now continue in that role until the end of the season."
POOLE have won the Elite League title for the third time in six years after an emphatic aggregate triumph over Lakeside in the Grand Final.
Manager Neil Middleditch said: "The team were magnificent and did everything that was asked of them, and I think you can say we did it with some style. I shall treasure this moment for some time
"In my opinion this is one of the all time great Poole sides. Their team spirit is second to none and they have jus! t got better and better throughout the season. I can’t fault them in any way and I really believe they deserve all the credit they get. ”
WOLVERHAMPTON will introduce two new Scandinavian riders in the line-up for next week's Banks's Olympique handicap event.
Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: "I always like to take a look at riders in this meeting and the Dane and Swede will be worth watching. I’d like to see how they get on but I’m not naming them at this stage through fear of alerting other clubs.
“When we put a meeting like this together we always try and include riders who are genuine racers around Monmore Green – that’s why the entertainment level is always so high."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK have re-arranged David Meldrum's Testimonial meeting for early next season - possibly on March 21 - due to the Bandits' continued involvement in the Young Shield.
Meldrum said: "The decision to hold it over to next season was q! uickly taken and the obvious one really as we had no real alternative, but at least we now have another five months to re-group and make it an even better Milestone than it would have been."
BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury is hoping to unveil his first signing for 2009 at the Brummies' final home meeting of the season against King's Lynn on Sunday.
Drury said: "It’s a rider who hasn’t raced for us before and that’s about all I can say at this stage. I have a good idea of the riders I want to talk to and hopefully the team I would like will come together."
EDINBURGH promoter Alex Harkess took plenty of satisfaction from another dramatic win at Glasgow in the Monarchs' final Premier League match of the season.
Harkess said: "We were terrible in that first half. But then the message that we are the champions, and should be doing better, sunk home. It was an amazing turnaround. And although our lads had beaten Leverington and Parker in earlier races, it's alm! ost tradition that Parker wins Heat 15. I knew if we made the gate we would do it."
GLASGOW star Trent Leverington was gutted to again end up on the losing side against local rivals Edinburgh, who overturned a 12-point deficit at Ashfield.
Leverington said: "It wasn't the best outcome, but that's speedway. We lost it towards the end. The Edinburgh guys made the best start in the last race."
ISLE OF WIGHT co-promoter Dave Pavitt praised the approach of his riders in defending their first-leg lead to overcome Sheffield in the quarter-finals of the Young Shield.
Pavitt said: "They produced a thoroughly professional performance to see us through to the next stage of the competition. All the team were fully focussed from the outset and we knew it was so important for us to get off to a good start and thus prevent the Sheffield side building up any sort of momentum."
KING'S LYNN star Kevin Doolan is relishing this week's promotion play-off clashes with Edinburgh - and he is hoping the Stars win the chance to take on either Wolverhampton or Peterborough.
Doolan said: "I came back to help the Stars make it up to the Elite and still have that dream, every race I go out I feel there is no other option apart from winning. I know the rest of the team feel like that too. I appreciate Edinburgh have had a great season but they are going to find it really tough against a team that are just so up for it."
NEWCASTLE completed a disappointing Premier League campaign with another home defeat, Sunday's loss to Scunthorpe consigning the Diamonds to a 14th-place finish.
Manager George English said: "It was disappointing to lose to Scunthorpe again, but when two home riders fail to get a point between them, you are always going to be up against it.”
READING stage the 960th and final meeting at Smallmead on Sunday with a special End-of-an-Era event - including a top prize of £3,000 for the winner.
Promoter Malcolm Holloway said: "It’s going to be an emotional night, but we want to give the place a good send-off. We have plenty going on and we are expecting the stadium’s biggest crowd for a few years.
"We will be providing maximum entertainment and, although it will be tinged with sadness, we hope that everyone will come along and enjoy this final meeting."
REDCAR manager Brian Havelock is pleased to be facing Workington in the semi-finals of the Young Shield as the Bears continue their defence of the trophy.
Havelock said: "I’d sooner go there than Berwick, and the Isle of Wight might take care of them now. We went there without Chris Kerr and Arlo Bugeja and nearly beat them, so I’m delighted."
RYE HOUSE will complete the season with their popular individual Ace of Herts event at Hoddesdon on Saturday.
From the following Saturday, the club will be running weekly practice sessions in a bid to uncover new talent to come into their Conference League plans for 2009.
SCUNTHORPE have parted company with Ben Powell after an unsavoury incident in the Scorpions' win at Newcastle when he appeared to aim his bike at opponent Kenni Larsen after a race.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "Scunthorpe Speedway cannot, and will not, condone Ben Powell’s actions and he is released with immediate effect. He has apologised this morning but last night's actions are indefensible and he will not be riding in our Hallowe’en Trophy at the end of the month."
SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart says the Tigers are considering several options for 2009 - with skipper Andre Compton retiring and fellow heat-leader Ben Wilson indicating he wants a move away.
Hoggart said: "We have our own views on how the team will shape up next season, but I can honestly say at this stage we haven't got a firm 1-7 that we want to track. We will need to find some common ground as soon as we start talking to riders."
SOMERSET feel they are on the verge of Knockout Cup glory ahead of Friday's second leg of the Final against Workington - having won the first leg at Derwent Park by three points.
Promoter Mike Golding said: "Winning the KO Cup would be the ideal way to end what has been a terrific season for the Rebels, so I urge all fans out there to be at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday and cheer the side on to what we hope and trust will be a piece of Somerset history."
NEIL Colllins was pleased with the response to his Farewell meeting which was staged at Stoke last Saturday.
Collins said: "To think that so many supporters came along in poor weather conditions was tremendous. The riders gave their all and tried to entertain in difficult conditions. On the whole, I do think everyone had a good time."
WORKINGTON are awaiting a medical report on John Branney who added to their end-of-season injury woes when he damaged his foot against Somerset on Saturday.
Promoter Ian Thomas said: "It’s a relief to know there’s nothing broken but he’s very, very sore. I have talked it over with John and he is going to wait until Tuesday to see whether he will be in a fit state to ride."
FIXTURE PICTURE
TUESDAY OCTOBER 14: ELITE LEAGUE RELEGATION PLAY-OFF: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Isle of Wight v Berwick 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Boston v Redcar 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15: PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FINAL: King's Lynn v Edinburgh 7.30 MIDLAND SHIELD: Birmingham v Wolverhampton 7.45
THURSDAY OCTOBER 16: ELITE LEAGUE RELEGATION RACE-OFF: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30 CRAVEN SHIELD FINAL: Lakeside v Coventry 7.45 YOUNG SHIELD: Redcar v Workington 7.30 FOUR-TEAM TOURNAMENT: Ipswich 7.30 CHALLENGE: Sheffield v Owlerton Outlaws 7.45
FRIDAY OCTOBER 17: PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FINAL: Edinburgh v King's Lynn 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL: Somerset v Workington 7.30 SATURDAY OCTOBER 18: ACE OF HERTS: Rye House 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Berwick v Isle of Wight 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 4.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v King's Lynn 6pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL: Boston v Plymouth 7pm SMALLMEAD END-OF-AN-ERA: Reading 6pm OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle 5.30 JUNIOR GOLDEN HELMET: Glasgow 4pm U16 CHALLENGE: Buxton v Carmarthen 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 20: BANKS'S OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23: 16-LAPPER: Ipswich 7.30 SOUTH TEES SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24: CRAVEN SHIELD FINAL: Coventry v Lakeside 8pm BEST PAIRS: Peterborough 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL: Eastbourne v Poole 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Reading 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL: Poole v Eastbourne 3pm CONFERENCE CHALLENGE: Buxton v Belle Vue Colts 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 27: BRITISH U18 CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31: SCOTTISH CUP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30 INDIVIDUAL: Scunthorpe 7.30
