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…
LEWIS Bridger is chasing British Under-21 glory as the first individual target of the new season.
The highly talented Eastbourne rider, who has made a flying start to the new Elite League campaign, is desperate to lift the title at Lakeside on Friday, April 24.
And he’s also up for the challenge of winning the wildcard entry to Cardiff for the British Grand Prix in June with a good display in next month’s British Final at Poole, a club he almost joined during the winter.
The best of British youngsters will go head-to-head at the Arena Essex raceway for the Under-21 crown and Bridger is sure to be challenged by the likes of Tai Woffinden and Ben Barker.
He said: “It’s going to be a tough meeting for sure and I’ll need to be at the top of my game.
“I’ve got a lot of ambition this season and I’d love to be British Under-21 champion. Then I can go to Poole with confidence knowing I can challenge the top riders for a place in Cardiff.
“I nearly joined Poole in the winter and there was a lot of talk about Peterborough and Wolverhampton, but I stayed with Eastbourne and things have been going well for me so far this season. I think we’re surprising a few people!”
The British Under-21 Final always provides plenty of exciting high-speed action with the best youngsters in the country chasing the prestigious title.
A bumper crowd is expected after Lakeside’s successful staging of the event last season.
* ADMISSION Prices for the British Under-21 Final are as follows: Adult: £15, Concessions: £11, Juniors: £3.
SUPER 7EVEN SERIES 2009 BRITISH UNDER 21 FINAL: Lakeside, Friday April 24. BRITISH FINAL: Poole, Wednesday May 20. PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday June 26. PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Workington, Saturday July 25. ELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: Eastbourne, Saturday August 8. PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 27. ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry, Friday October 2.
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...
BELLE VUE manager Chris Morton said he was very encouraged by the Aces' team performance in their first Elite League win of the season against Wolverhampton.
Morton said: "I was apprehensive about this meeting, partly because we'd come out of two away matches with no points. It was important we won this one.
"One or two of our riders weren't happy with their scores, but we rode as a team and got the win we needed. It was especially encouraging to see James Wright getting a good score after a couple of dodgy away meetings."
COVENTRY co-boss Peter Oakes has no arguments with the pre-season predictions tipping Swindon for Elite League success - after the Bees were on the receiving end of an impressive Robins display last week.
Oakes said: "I don't think the experts were wrong when they tipped Swindon to win the League, they are on paper probably the strongest team and it's whether or not they can live up to those expectations.
"We do find it hard at Swindon, we have done on a regular basis and you can't really find an answer for it. There were just too many riders who didn't score enough points, it's a simple as that."
EASTBOURNE star David Norris says he is pleased with his winter decision to return to the sport after an eighteen-month absence.
Norris said: "I'm pleased with what I'm doing and with the team, and I'm getting everything out of it that I wanted.
"When you're in the team and involved, it gives you that massive buzz, and I'll never get that when I retire. I'm slowly getting comfortable."
IPSWICH manager Pete Simmons felt his side could have taken more than two points from their Easter clashes with Peterborough and Lakeside.
Simmons said: "I'm pleased to have some points on the board from the home meeting, but I do feel perhaps it should have been a little more.
"Jarek (Hampel) has been fantastic for us and I was pleased with the way Dawid (Stachyra) rode this difficult tight track (at Lakeside), but I feel we should have picked up at least two more league points by putting up a stronger challenge on our travels."
LAKESIDE are top of the early Elite League table - and Hammers owner Stuart Douglas is pleased with the level of support at Purfleet so far this season.
Douglas said: "I'm particularly pleased that this tough economic climate hasn't put our fans off their speedway. Everyone is having to work harder then ever, just now, and we are definitely heading in the right direction.
"Unlike football, the League is not won in April or May, so we must continue to push, right up until autumn, to ensure we are in the mix at the business end of the season."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales says the return of Karol Zabik after his absence so far for personal reasons will give everyone at the Showground a major boost.
Swales said: "I am delighted that Karol is back because we have clearly missed him, we built the team with him in it and he was an important part of that team, especially at home where he can beat anyone.
"It will take the pressure of the heat-leaders and everyone will be more confident with him around. His scoring potential should give the team a real boost."
POOLE star Joe Screen was relieved to hold on for second place in what turned out to be the final race of the Pirates' home clash with Eastbourne - rain ended the contest three heats early, with the South coast rivals sharing a 36-36 draw.
Screen said: "I thought I had the race won, but it was pouring with rain. I was trying to ride as hard as I could, but just hit a slippery patch going into the corner, hit the hole and took off into the air.
"I could have hit the fence, lost two points and gifted Eagles a 5-1, but I’m relieved I managed to stay on and we got the draw."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter insisted he was not unhappy with the postponement of the Robins' Good Friday fixture at Coventry - as he looks for his side to translate their home form into their away matches.
Rossiter said: "It is a boost for us as Ryan (Fisher) can now ride in the rearranged meeting. He is in great form so that’s great news for us.
"I have no worries about us at home but away from Blunsdon we are not gating as I would like. The lads are working hard on it and I’m sure they will get it right and then we can kick on."
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams is hopeful that Hynek Stichauer will return from a neck injury next week having made a faltering start to his Elite League career.
Adams said: "Hynek aggravated an injury which we didn’t know anything about and now it’s causing him major problems.
"We need to see the lad in action to form an opinion over whether he has what it takes to become an Elite League rider. He has a good set-up and a good attitude towards the sport but we need to see him put a good run of meetings together."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...
BERWICK manager Dave Peet says that whilst he is encouraged by the Bandits' displays so far this season, he feels there is still plenty more to come.
Peet said: "We know there is still a point or two of concern within the side, but we know what's wrong and we know how to put it right, as do the lads so we're on course for an even bigger improvement in the weeks to come."
BIRMINGHAM skipper Jason Lyons insists the Brummies will be a force to be reckoned with this season when their riders fire consistently as an all-round team.
Lyons said: "It was always going to be tricky going into a new season with so many new riders and we’ve all had some teething problems. I feel it’s only a matter of time before we see the best of this team because we all have something to offer."
EDINBURGH youngster Aaron Summers roared to a paid maximum in the Monarchs' demolition of Newcastle - and said he is benefiting from an improved set-up in his second season in British speedway.
Summers said: "I bought new clutch plates this season and they are helping me get out of the starts, and round Armadale this makes winning races so much easier. But the whole team is now dialled in and we are riding pretty well right now."
GLASGOW promoter Alan Dick says the Tigers' move to recruit James Grieves at the top of their line-up alongside Shane Parker is paying off.
Dick said: "We certainly do have two top-quality riders to spearhead the side in the closing stages of meetings, and that is something that we definitely lacked last season."
KING'S LYNN boss Rob Lyon has offered high praise to 16-year-old sensation Darcy Ward, who clocked up a mammoth 20-point haul in the Stars' weekend win at Newport.
Lyon said: "Darcy has scored an incredible 72 points in his first five official fixtures. The boy is simply the most natural and exciting rider speedway has seen since Michael Lee."
NEWCASTLE manager Richard Juul was much more satisfied as the Diamonds' responded to their early-season run of defeats by overcoming Glasgow in a thrilling Easter Monday encounter.
Juul said: "It was great to see every one of our seven contributing to this fine win and despite Jason (King) being restricted by his heavy fall we covered enough to take what was a hugely entertaining clash."
NEWPORT co-promoter Nick Mallett accepted the Wasps' home defeat by King's Lynn had been a blow to their Premier Trophy hopes.
Mallett said: "It is very disappointing to lose a match we felt we could have won. A few of our boys had off-days, but we are confident they can get it right for next week's match against Stoke."
REDCAR boss Brian Havelock has stressed the importance of the Bears' Premier Trophy clash with Workington on Thursday - as his team look to build on last week's double success over Sheffield.
Havelock said: "'Workington do have a class bunch of riders within their team but we have a top five that is really doing the business. It should be a classic encounter but I'm confident we can knock the Comets out of their orbit."
RYE HOUSE skipper Chris Neath is targeting a place in the Premier Trophy semi-finals after the Rockets' Bank Holiday double win over Stoke.
Neath said: "Saturday night’s result was a key one for us. After a few near misses, we finally got our first away points of the year, and the win means we’re right back in the hunt for a semi-final place."
SCUNTHORPE star David Howe believes he is moving into top gear after scoring paid 14 from five rides in the Scorpions' Easter Monday win over Somerset.
Howe said: "Today was the best I've ridden for Scunthorpe, and the first time I've really ridden like a No.1. I think this year I've hardened up a lot both as a person and as a rider, which is the way you've got to be."
SHEFFIELD owner Neil Machin insists the club will do all they can to help Paul Cooper out of his early season slump.
Cooper failed to score in both meetings with Redcar over Easter and has now sent his engines to renowned tuner Eddie Bull for more inspection.
Said Machin: "Paul's a popular lad and we want him to pull through this, it's a test of character but we can't wait forever."
SOMERSET newcomer Justin Sedgmen has paid tribute to the influence of fellow countryman Steve Johnston as he seeks to adapt quickly to the demands of British racing.
Sedgmen said: "Johno has been just great. I’m riding with him in the team now, which is pretty awesome, and he has been a tremendous help. He’s been like an older brother to me by taking me under his wing, and is always there to help me out, even if we are in the middle of a meeting."
STOKE promoter Dave Tattum was a frustrated man after the Potters completed a point-less Easter programme with a heavy defeat at Rye House.
Tattum said: "It was a dismal performance, and we cannot allow displays like this to happen. I'll be talking with the riders in-depth, and we really do have to take a good look at ourselves because scorelines like today are not acceptable."
WORKINGTON boss Ian Thomas says the Comets would be willing to consider a loan deal for club asset Daniel Nermark, who is interesting Elite League teams on his comeback from serious injury last year.
Thomas said: "He is a Workington rider, although not in our team for 2009, and we would be prepared to let him go out on loan. As far as I understand the situation, though, he has been advised to keep a low racing profile until May."
NATIONAL LEAGUE LATEST...
THE new National League is now underway and has produced some exciting action in the early meetings, with away League wins for both Weymouth and Mildenhall over the Easter weekend.
A full round-up of club press releases from the third tier of British racing is available online at our website www.speedwaygb.com Results will be included alongside those from the Elite and Premier Leagues and e-mailed out at the end of a night’s racing and league tables will become available when relevant.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY APRIL 14 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30 BRITISH U21 SEMI-FINAL: Isle of Wight 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Scunthorpe 7.30, King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 16 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Eastbourne 7.30, Peterborough v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Lakeside 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Redcar v Workington 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.45
FRIDAY APRIL 17 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Poole 8pm, Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER TROPHY: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Scunthorpe v Rye House 7.30, Somerset v Birmingham 7.30 YOUNG GUNS INDIVIDUAL: Weymouth 7.15
SATURDAY APRIL 18: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Rye House v Scunthorpe 7pm, Stoke v Birmingham 7.30, Workington v Redcar 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Scunthorpe 7.30 DAVID MELDRUM FAREWELL, Berwick 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 19: PREMIER TROPHY: Glasgow v Workington 4pm, Newcastle v Berwick 6.30, Newport v Stoke 2.30
MONDAY APRIL 20: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30 ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 21: CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight v Weymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Somerset 7.30, King's Lynn v Newport 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 23: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 8pm, Ipswich v Poole 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30, Sheffield v Workington 7.45 CHALLENGE: Bournemouth v Isle of Wight 7.30
FRIDAY APRIL 24: BRITISH U21 FINAL: Lakeside 8pm PREMIER TROPHY: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Scunthorpe v King's Lynn 7.30, Somerset v Stoke 7.30 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Weymouth 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 25: PREMIER TROPHY: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Stoke v Scunthorpe 7.30, Workington v Edinburgh 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v King's Lynn 7pm CHALLENGE: Weymouth v Plymouth 7.15
SUNDAY APRIL 26: PREMIER TROPHY: Glasgow v Berwick 4pm, Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Newport v Birmingham 2.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 4pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Newport v Bournemouth (follows PT fixture)
MONDAY APRIL 27: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Poole 7.30, Peterborough v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30
TUESDAY APRIL 28: PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v King's Lynn 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP: Birmingham v Rye House 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: King's Lynn v Stoke 7.30
