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...

BRITISH Champion Chris Harris will be aiming to make home advantage count when he takes his place in the Grand Prix Challenge on September 18 (8pm).

The Coventry skipper will be backed by thousands of fans at Brandon Stadium in one of the biggest meetings on the sport’s calendar.

And Harris admits he’s been disappointed by his Grand Prix form this season – but on the domestic front he’s happy.

He said: “Things have gone well with Coventry this season, but it’s not been a good year for me in the Grand Prix and I’m disappointed about that.

“Hopefully I can make up for it in the Challenge and get into the top three to secure a place in next year’s series. I want to be a Grand Prix rider, this is the best way to secure it for next year.

“It was great for me to win the British title and hopefully I can do well in this meeting too. My season will have been a good one if I can secure that.”

Meanwhile the next Super 7even event is the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield on Sunday, September 27.

Turnstiles will open at 3pm and the start time has been confirmed for 5pm with a bumper crowd expected.

Sheffield owner Neil Machin said: “We are looking forward to this event which always pulls in a good crowd. I’m sure we will see some excellent racing and, of course, a new champion now that Tai Woffinden has moved into the Elite League.”

SUPER 7EVEN SERIES 2009
BRITISH UNDER 21 FINAL: Lakeside – LEWIS BRIDGER.
BRITISH FINAL: Poole – CHRIS HARRIS.
PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset – BIRMINGHAM.
PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Workington – WORKINGTON.
ELITE LEAGUE PAIRS: Eastbourne – POOLE.
PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 27.
ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry, Friday October 2


ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...

BELLE VUE are looking to move back into the transfer market after high-scoring reserve Ulrich Ostergaard suffered a broken kneecap at Coventry on Friday.

Aces boss David Gordon said: "We had worked so hard to re-plan the side with (Jason) Crump coming back and now we are back to the drawing board. It is a serious blow losing Ulrich because we need someone who is scoring well at reserve and he was doing the job.

"He was mad with himself over what happened because he just picked up some extra grip and went into the fence with no-one else near him."

COVENTRY captain Chris Harris feels the Bees are still in control of their Knockout Cup semi-final against Belle Vue, having secured a 51-39 win from the first leg at Brandon.

Harris said: "We'll take the 12-point lead, as soon as we knew Jason (Crump) was in it was going to be tough, we all know what he can do around here.

"But the team rode well and obviously the man of the match was Ben (Barker) - he was on fire, and it's a shame we can't keep him at reserve for the rest of the year, but that's the way it goes. But we don't want to sit back in the second leg."

EASTBOURNE skipper Davey Watt suffered a mystery back injury early in last weekend’s 51-39 home defeat by Wolverhampton, and was unable to compete in Heat 15 as a result.

Watt said: “I came in after my first race and I had jarred my back. I could hardly get off my bike, I couldn’t pull my goggles off or anything like that.

“The doctor wasn’t very keen for me to continue but I felt I could do a bit more. I just needed some work done on it."

IPSWICH are considering bringing a new rider into Foxhall if they receive bad news on the recovery time for broken collarbone victim Tobias Kroner.

Kroner suffered a triple break when crashing in the recent Anglian Pairs event, and has had an operation in his native Germany.

Manager Pete Simmons said: "We will review the situation when we know more about Tobi's condition. It is not ideal with important fixtures coming up."

LAKESIDE No.1 Lee Richardson has escaped serious injury after crashing out of the Hammers' home draw with Coventry on Saturday.

Fears of broken ribs and a shoulder injury proved unfounded and Richardson escaped with bruising, which should allow him to resume on Friday against Ipswich.

Without their top rider, Lakeside battled hard for the 45-45 outcome, with Jonas Davidsson scoring 14, and they remain in a strong position for a play-off place.

PETERBOROUGH boss Trevor Swales has booked James Wright to guest for the unavailable Claus Vissing in Wednesday's trip to Poole which is vital to their play-off aspirations.

Swales said: "James has done well at Poole both times he has ridden there for Belle Vue this year, and faced with the choice I have gone with rider-replacement for (Kenneth) Hansen because it gives us more flexibility.

"Niels and Kenneth both go well at Poole and Mads did well there in the A fixture. It's clearly going to be hard but we go there looking for a win."

POOLE promoter Matt Ford says he had no hesitation in allowing Belle Vue to sign Pirates asset Jason Crump on loan - even though the two sides are battling at the foot of the Elite League table.

Ford said: "Belle Vue can make changes, and when they phoned me because they wanted him, my immediate reaction to them was ‘of course.’

"I don’t believe we can stop him going unless I’m willing to put him in my team, and I wouldn’t wish to stop him. Besides, I think it’s in the interests of all of us that he’s riding here."

SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter was satisfied with the Robins' effort as they became the first visiting team this season to take a point from Wolverhampton in Monday's top-two clash.

Rossiter said: "Obviously it is tinged with disappointment because we've got so close, but if you had offered me a point at the start I would have been happy.

"We brought Morten (Risager) in to get points because Jurica (Pavlic) wasn't doing the business, and he's done that tonight. He put in some really gutsy rides and for his debut I was very pleased with him."

WOLVERHAMPTON youngster Tai Woffinden won all four of his rides in Monday's win over Swindon - despite being in extreme discomfort after a crash at Coventry the day before.

Wolves boss Peter Adams said: "Tai was a star for us and deserves a massive amount of credit. It just underlines what a determined young man he is. He looked nailed on for a fifth ride but it had become physically impossible.

"We now head off to Coventry a point ahead of Swindon in the league table with three meetings remaining. We want to finish top and it's a very tight battle."

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...

BERWICK have released recent signing Frank Facher due to his international commitments and replaced him with club asset Tamas Sike.

Manager Dave Peet said: "With a bit more stability brought about with no interference from his German fixtures and alterations, Frank would certainly put in more performances like his superb one a couple of weeks ago as he is a very real talent in speedway, and we’re just as determined to get him back in the future."

BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury says Sunday's home showdown with King's Lynn is the biggest meeting since the re-launch of the club in 2007.

Drury said: "It's a massive meeting on Sunday and we simply have to win. If we can take all three-points available to us then you never know how that may change things in the context of the season."

EDINBURGH are set for a hectic run-in after suffering several postponements this season - and the Monarchs have two home double-headers already planned.

Skipper Matthew Wethers said: "It's definitely not ideal but we will just have to struggle on and do it. I suppose with the matches both at home and away compacted together it will be hard, but it's still the same matches we were going to do anyway."

GLASGOW co-promoter Alan Dick hopes the Tigers home defeats earlier in the season do not prevent his side from extending their season.

Dick said: "We have lost too many matches at home to have a comfortable passage into the Young Shield, so we are now going to have to win a couple away to help make up for that. We do have winnable matches coming up."

KING'S Lynn manager Rob Lyon knows his side can ill-afford any slip-ups in what is proving to be a tight battle with Birmingham at the top of the table.

Lyon said: "All credit to them after earning a league point at Edinburgh on Friday and securing an away win at Berwick on Saturday. Luckily we have a few matches in hand but the pressure is now on us, and the way I see it is nothing can be taken for granted and we must work extra hard to secure every single race point that we can."

NEWCASTLE moved into the Premier League's top six with an eleventh successive home win, overcoming champions Edinburgh by 16 points.

Diamonds boss George English said: "Our upward spiral continues and, considering we only scored three points from the share out of Rene Bach’s rides, we are all delighted to have beaten a quality side like Edinburgh."

NEWPORT are prepared to stick with mid-season signing Jonas Andersson for the rest of the campaign after recent improved displays from the young Swede.

Promoter Nick Mallett said: "We are obviously pleased that Jonas will be staying with us, but he mustn't rest on his laurels. There is still a lot of hard work to be put in before the end of the season."

REDCAR have named their first signing for 2010 - with 22-year-old Australian Kurt Shields, cousin of Lakeside star Adam, agreeing a contract after impressing in a Pairs event last Thursday.

Shields said: "This is what I came here to do. I was hoping to do a bit better, but I'm delighted to have a contract and now I'm going to go back home and get as fit as possible for a season in the Premier League next year."

RYE HOUSE reserve Andrew Silver admits that remaining competitive during a long season as been tough, especially given his lengthy absence from the sport.

Silver said: "I'm trying to find something that suits me, and I feel sometimes I have been going backwards to move forwards. On the budget I have set myself, it's not easy."

SCUNTHORPE boosted their chances of a place in the Young Shield with a 46-44 win at Newport, with David Howe securing the victory with a crucial Heat 15 win.

Scorpions star Ritchie Hawkins said: "It was a good strong team performance with everyone chipping in and scoring. It's hard when you go away from home and have to carry somebody or have a couple of boys struggling, but today every race we had somebody out there capable of winning."

SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart feels the Tigers' home clash with Workington on Thursday has the potential to be one of the best of the season.

Hoggart said: "This will be a belter and we're going to need to be on top form right from the first race. We cannot afford any mechanical slip-ups, we're going to need every point."

SOMERSET'S future has been secured with landlord Bill Hancock's daughter Debbie taking over as promoter after the departure of Dave Pavitt.

Ex-Rebels star Steve Bishop will continue as team manager with a consortium of local businessmen backing Bill Hancock's long-term plans for development of the club.

STOKE staged an extensive team practice session at Loomer Road on Monday in a bid to recapture their form and make sure of a qualification place in the Young Shield.

Potters boss John Woolridge said: "I have no intention of naming names but it is obvious we are inconsistent in some areas. That's what we have to address first and foremost, and then couple that with dropping the clutch and winning races again."

WORKINGTON overcame an injury crisis - and a pits fall which saw manager Ian Thomas taken to hospital having damaged his shoulder - to snatch a point from a 45-45 draw against Edinburgh at Derwent Park.

Comets owner Keith Denham said: "I don’t know how we did it. We got a draw with a four-man team, and Andre Compton blew his best engine and had serious problems with his second one as well."

NATIONAL LEAGUE action continues and all the latest club press releases are now available at the news section on our website www.speedwaygb.com

FIXTURE PICTURE...

TUESDAY AUGUST 25:
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7.30

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.30, King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 27:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 8pm, Ipswich v Swindon 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Workington 7.45
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v Mildenhall 7.30

FRIDAY AUGUST 28:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Poole 7.30, Lakeside v Ipswich 8pm
PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Newport 7.30, Somerset v Birmingham 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Bournemouth 7.30, Weymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15

SATURDAY AUGUST 29:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Workington 7pm, Stoke v Rye House 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Newport 7pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 30:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v King's Lynn 7pm, Glasgow v Newcastle 4pm, Newport v Somerset 2.30pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Weymouth 3pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Weymouth (follows NL fixture)

MONDAY AUGUST 31:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm, Swindon v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Glasgow 2pm, Rye House v Stoke 2pm, Scunthorpe v King's Lynn 3pm, Workington v Berwick 7pm
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v Bournemouth 1pm, Rye House v Plymouth (follows PL fixture), Scunthorpe v Buxton (follows PL fixture)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1:
BRITISH SIDECAR SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP: Isle of Wight 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Birmingham 7.30

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Belle Vue 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30
PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Redcar 7.45
NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Weymouth 7.30

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm
PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30, Somerset v Newport 7.30
COVENTRY TBC 8pm

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v King's Lynn 7pm, Edinburgh v Somerset 6.30, Stoke v Glasgow 7.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Weymouth v Plymouth 7.15
CUMBERLAND CLASSIC, Workington 7pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6:
PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Berwick 4pm, Newcastle v Rye House 6.30, Newport v Stoke 2.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Buxton 4pm

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7:
SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Eastbourne v Coventry 7.30

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8:
NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7.30

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9:
PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7.30
SIDECARS: Birmingham 7.30