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...
THE Premier League Riders’ Championship is more wide open than ever before – that’s the view of a man who knows!
Record breaker Sean Wilson, the only man to win the title three times, cannot predict a winner in the line-up for the showpiece Super 7even event at his former track Sheffield on Sunday, September 27 (5pm).
"How can anyone confidently predict a winner? It's a brilliant line-up," he said. "I know I'm sitting on the fence, but I really cannot give you an outright winner because there are so many top riders.
"Like me 10-years ago, Johno (Steve Johnston) will be desperate to win in his first Premier League season. Then you've got some of the younger lads who are doing well in the sport like Darcy Ward at King's Lynn and Ty Proctor at Redcar.
"Of course you have to include Ricky (Ashworth) because he's on his own track, then you have guys like Parks (Shane Parker) and Tomas Topinka. Tomasz Piszcz at Birmingham has been going really good this year too.
"Sorry if I'm dodging the question of a prediction, but I really can't name an out-and-out winner. It's going to be one heck of a meeting and I'm looking forward to watching it!"
PLRC DRAW: Kenni Larsen (Newcastle), Steve Johnston (Somerset), Magnus Karlsson (Scunthorpe), Ryan Fisher (Edinburgh), Shane Parker (Glasgow), Jordan Frampton (Newport), Kevin Doolan (Workington), Jason Bunyan (Stoke), Michal Makovsky (Berwick), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Emil Kramer (Somerset), Ty Proctor (Redcar), Tomasz Piszcz (Birmingham), Tomas Topinka (King’s Lynn), Darcy Ward (King’s Lynn), Chris Neath (Rye House).
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...
BELLE VUE are awaiting news on World Champion-elect Jason Crump, who suffered an arm injury at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Monday.
The Aces, who need a point from their last match to guarantee Elite League safety, are already without late-season signing Lubos Tomicek after a crash in last week's win over Peterborough.
Tomicek said: "I have broken my collarbone in two places and damaged a few ribs. I am sorry I haven't been a better signing and didn't help the team out. I hope to come back better next year."
COVENTRY co-boss Peter Oakes accepts the Bees need to dramatically raise their game if they are to challenge Swindon when the clubs meet in the play-offs next week.
Oakes said: "On our performance at Wolverhampton on Monday, if I was (Swindon boss) Alun Rossiter I'd already be having the tickets printed for the Grand Final. If we ride like that against Swindon, they will probably set something of a record score.
"We had a talk afterwards with all the riders and the mechanics about what lies ahead of us. We still have the play-offs and the Knockout Cup in our own hands - but we have to perform much, much better."
EASTBOURNE star Lewis Bridger says he has important decisions to make about his plans for 2010.
Bridger could switch clubs in Poland due to a lack of opportunities this season, and he will also be awaiting news of whether the Eagles have an Elite League future.
He said: "I'm still under contract (in Poland) but I'm looking for a move unless they can promise me a certain amount of meetings. I've had four this year, and I was told I'd get 13."
IPSWICH star Troy Batchelor is enjoying a strong run at the end of the season having made a success of his mid-season switch to Foxhall from parent club Swindon.
Batchelor said: "I'm much happier and it's the result of lots of hard work in the workshop. We've been trying to get everything right, and it's come together.
"It's taken a month or so for us all to settle in properly, and it's a pity the season is coming to an end because we have a good thing here."
LAKESIDE owner Stuart Douglas has expressed his satisfaction with the Hammers' top-three finish this season, and is now looking forward to taking on Wolverhampton in the play-offs.
Douglas said: "The object is to cement The Hammers as a Play Off team each and every year, and I'm very satisfied that we are well on course to achieving that aim, and we've done it whilst keeping the club on a stable financial footing which is a hugely impressive feat.
"Wolves are a formidable outfit this season, but I have enormous faith in our lads - their 'never say die' attitude is fantastic - and I think we are in for a right old ding dong battle of a semi final."
PETERBOROUGH star Kenneth Bjerre had a remarkable escape from serious injury in the Slovenian Grand Prix, staying on board his machine despite his head being hit by the front wheel of Greg Hancock's bike as the American lost control.
Bjerre, who could well finish in the top eight of the GP standings this season, can also book his place in the 2010 series in Friday's Grand Prix Challenge at Coventry.
Bjerre said: "I didn't really see what happened to Greg, but I sure felt it! I could feel myself going off the side of my bike, but I managed to hold it. I haven't seen it on the TV but I guess it could have been quite bad."
POOLE skipper Bjarne Pedersen has quashed speculation that he has left Poole, stating that he will return should the Pirates contest the relegation race-off.
Pedersen said: "Monday was my last Poole appearance for a while because my partner Lone is due to have our first baby on October 9.
"I’m taking a break to look after her, but I’ll definitely be back in a Pirates race jacket for the relegation-promotion play-off if we’re in it."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter says he will be taking nothing for granted when the Robins face Coventry in the play-off semi-finals - despite his team finishing well ahead of the Bees in the regular table.
Rossiter said: "I’m confident we can turn them over but I think the play-offs will be a different kettle of fish. It all starts again.
"Everyone raises their game because the title’s on it, so we’re not taking anything for granted."
WOLVERHAMPTON will go into the play-offs with plenty of confidence after a rampant display against Coventry in the Midland League, defeating their local rivals 62-31 with Adam Skornicki and Fredrik Lindgren both unbeaten.
Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: "All the boys warmed up with a fine performance against Coventry. It was important for us to have a home meeting because we hadn't had one the previous week, so it was a good workout for the boys.
"Ty Proctor took a knock at the weekend so decided to sit out Monday but he should be fit and raring to go against Lakeside."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...
BERWICK put an end to a recent run of home defeats by defeating Stoke at Shielfield Park, with skipper Michal Makovsky dropping just one point in six rides.
Bandits co-owner John Anderson said: “This was a top performance from the team with them all pulling their weight and taking Stoke apart, although they arrived very much a two-man team which was never going to work when we are in such keen form. We now look to do the same if not better next week when Glasgow call, and then into the Young Shield.”
BIRMINGHAM are anxiously awaiting news on their future with their planning application to be decided upon on Thursday - and the planning officer has recommended refusal, despite the success of the club over the last three years.
Brummies owner Tony Mole said: "We have brought success to the city and we have never been any trouble to our neighbours. In fact, we have bent over backwards to work with the community.
"Naturally I am still hoping for a positive outcome on Thursday, but the recommendation of refusal came as a surprise to me, I must admit that."
EDINBURGH'S hopes of a top four finish received a severe dent with their failure to take any points from a 49-40 defeat at Stoke.
Monarchs spokesman Mike Hunter said: "We are still in with a chance of a top four place, but this was definitely a chance lost. We allowed Stoke's lesser lights to get too many points."
GLASGOW co-promoter has confirmed some good news with regard to attendances at Ashfield - despite the Tigers being set for a bottom-two finish in the Premier League.
Dick said: "The biggest plus we have had has been our crowds, which have stood up to the recession and the disappointment that we have had on-track. That is something we can be very pleased about, although there is still a lot of work to be done on that front."
KING’S Lynn can clinch the Premier League title in their next two matches – if they can gain home and away wins over Workington by more than a six-point margin.
Stars boss Rob Lyon said: “We are chasing the league title and the Comets are chasing a place in the top four to qualify for the promotion play offs. They are a good team so we can’t take anything for granted, but the fact is there’s an opportunity for us to win the league so we must step our game up to the next level and go for it!”
NEWPORT will introduce Swedish youngster Kim Nilsson in time for Thursday's trip to Redcar as they aim to finish a difficult season on a high.
Co-promoter Nick Mallett said: "Kim looked brilliant in practice on a new machine to him, although he will be riding on his own machinery at Redcar and of course at home to Sheffield. It has been a bitterly disappointing season, but for 2010 we have the foundations in place."
REDCAR boss Brian Havelock was disappointed to come away from Sunday's trip to Glasgow without a point after going down 50-43.
Havelock said: "I even thought we might get three points at Glasgow. I'd say that ends our hopes of getting first or second pick for the Young Shield quarter-finals now, and we have to make sure we get all three points at home to Newport on Thursday now." RYE House manager John Sampford has hit back at claims that he should have taken a No.8 rider with the Rockets to Edinburgh for last Friday’s Knockout Cup tie.
Sampford said: “There is absolutely no guarantee that if you take one he is going to get used. Also, if you do use him, being your No.8, the likelihood is that he will struggle for any points, particularly away from home. Additionally, it’s not easy to get someone to fill the role bearing in mind that you are asking him to take two days off to go somewhere and possibly earn absolutely nothing.”
NEWCASTLE kept up their superb run of form with back-to-back wins over Newport, including a 66-point score at home, which makes them strong favourites to complete a top-four finish.
Diamonds boss George English said: “I stated a couple of weeks ago we would be up with the likes of King’s Lynn once we secured Mark Lemon for our team and many scoffed and laughed, but look at us now - we’re flying and we’re not finished yet.”
SCUNTHORPE star Ritchie Hawkins is pleased with his current run of form after a mid-season broken wrist cost him his team place at Sheffield.
Hawkins said: "When I first came back, I did feel under pressure and my performances suffered. The best thing Scunthorpe could have done is let me get on with it, and they did that. I can't speak highly enough of how I've been treated there."
SHEFFIELD star Paul Cooper is hoping to defy medical opinion and return to action in the near future just a month after suffering a shattered heel at Newcastle.
Cooper said: “I'm hoping to be back having a skid and then I can make a decision on whether I can compete in a meeting again. I'd like to think my season is still alive.
The injury came at the wrong time because after all I'd been through with poor form and almost quitting, I was enjoying my racing again and scoring a few points.”
SOMERSET take a break from Premier League action this week to stage Mark Lemon's Testimonial meeting with a star-studded field taking part at the Oak Tree Arena.
Former Rebels rider Lemon has assembled a line-up which includes GP stars Leigh Adams, Hans Andersen and - subject to fitness - Jason Crump for an Australia v Rest of the World match on Friday.
STOKE boss Dave Tattum reflected on a positive home record this season after the Potters defeated Edinburgh 49-40 and are now looking forward to the Young Shield.
Tattum said: “We’ve only lost once in the league at home this season and that was against King’s Lynn, who look like they will win the title this. I don’t think we should fear anyone in the play-offs, we just need to get our away form going and who knows what might happen.”
WORKINGTON skipper Kevin Doolan is hopeful of leaving hospital soon following X-rays to his shoulder after his crash at Derwent Park on Saturday which left him with rib and lung damage.
Comets boss Ian Thomas was forced to abandon the match against Redcar with one heat to go. He said: "Dr Butler said the patient was in need of medical assistance on the way to hospital. He took his medical equipment with him, and that meant there was none here for the paramedic should there be another accident."
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 SEPTEMBER 15: PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Workington 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16: PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17: PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newport 7.30, Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.45 FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT: Swindon v Reading v Oxford v Cradley Heath 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18: GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE: Coventry 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Berwick 7pm, Edinburgh v Redcar (follows previous fixture), Scunthorpe v Stoke 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Weymouth v Bournemouth 7.15 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.30 MARK LEMON TESTIMONIAL: Somerset 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Newport v Sheffield 1pm, Workington v King's Lynn 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Rye House v Edinburgh 7pm BRITISH UNDER-15 FINAL: Northside 3pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Birmingham 4pm, Newcastle v King's Lynn 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Weymouth 6pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Buxton v King's Lynn 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21: ELITE LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS 1st leg: Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Wolverhampton v Lakeside 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22: NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23: PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24: NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Bournemouth v Weymouth 7.30 TWEED-TEES TROPHY: Redcar v Berwick 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25: PREMIER TROPHY FINAL: Edinburgh v King's Lynn 7.30 BRITISH U18 CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 7.30 SIDECARS: Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26: TWEED-TEES TROPHY: Berwick v Redcar 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27: PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield 5pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Weymouth 2pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm, Mildenhall v Isle of Wight 4pm CHALLENGE: Newport Hornets v Team Viking 2.30
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28: ELITE LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS 2nd leg: Lakeside v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30: PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP SEMI-FINAL: King's Lynn v Scunthorpe 7.30 JOE THURLEY TROPHY: Birmingham 7.30 TEST MATCH: GB U21 v Australasia U21, Poole 7.30
