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...
TEAM selections have been announced for the Great Britain v Australia U25 Test Match to be staged at Ipswich's Foxhall Stadium on October 15.
Respective National team bosses Rob Lyon and Craig Boyce have selected their strongest sides available and both are clear on exactly what is at stake when these sides hit the track in three weeks time.
Former international and Australian boss Craig Boyce said: "It was devastating to miss out on World Cup gold like we did, so this young team are looking to serve a little reminder to the poms and the rest of the speedway world, exactly what they have to contend with over the next few years.
"They have the perfect role model in current World Championship leader Jason Crump."
Great Britain boss Rob Lyon, who came so close to taking his team of youngsters all the way to the World Cup Final this year, was measured in his response, saying: "I can understand where Craig is coming from, and this is just the sort of meeting we both need to bring the best out of our sides.
"Even though it's still early days for me in the job, make no mistake about it, I have a very capable side who are extremely proud to wear the Union Jack and it's going to be one heck of a battle out there."
GREAT BRITAIN: Edward Kennett, Ben Barker, Lewis Bridger, Danny King, Tai Woffinden, James Wright, Joe Haines.
AUSTRALIA: Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Rory Schlein, Cameron Woodward, Troy Batchelor, Ty Proctor, Cory Gathercole.
*THE Elite League Riders' Championship at Coventry on Friday brings down the curtain on a highly successful 2009 Super7even series.
BSPA Chairman Peter Toogood said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank fans for their support of the series.
"We have seen some excellent attendance levels with many of our events attracting more fans than last season.
"The series has once again been a success and I would also like to congratulate the winners of the events.
"Thanks also to those clubs who have successfully staged the events and to all the track staff who ensure the meetings are run in a smooth manner.
"I feel sure the series will be back in 2010 and we will once again be bringing you the best in entertainment up and down the country."
ELRC DRAW: Jonas Davidsson (Lakeside), Davey Watt (Eastbourne), Scott Nicholls (Ipswich), Niels-Kristian Iversen (Peterborough), Chris Holder (Poole), Mads Korneliussen (Peterborough), Lee Richardson (Lakeside), Matej Zagar (Swindon), Edward Kennett (Coventry), Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton), James Wright (Belle Vue), Robert Miskowiak (Ipswich), Hans Andersen (Poole), Jason Crump (Belle Vue), Chris Harris (Coventry), Leigh Adams (Swindon).
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...
BELLE VUE owner David Gordon was in downbeat mood after the Aces' home defeat against Ipswich consigned them to the wooden spoon and a clash with a Premier League team to protect their top-flight status.
Gordon said: "Ipswich came here tonight with nothing to ride for while we had everything to ride for.
"But we just didn’t perform like that and the roles were reversed because Ipswich really got stuck into the match. It is very, very disappointing."
COVENTRY co-boss Peter Oakes said the Bees had lost their play-off semi-final against Swindon in the first half of their home leg, having fought all the way in the second leg to only lose by four points on the night.
Oakes said: "I'm proud of the team over the last 20 races of the tie, and if we'd ridden the first ten races at Coventry the way we'd ridden over the last 20, we'd be in the Grand Final.
"But we're not, so all credit to Swindon. They finished top of the league, so if you're a purist they do deserve it."
EASTBOURNE reserve Ricky Kling says he has enjoyed his first season at Arlington, on loan from Lakeside.
He said: "I've enjoyed it here. I like the whole club and the team-mates. I'm just really disappointed with my own scoring. There's also stuff back home and in Poland I'm not happy with."
IPSWICH completed their Elite League season with a strong win at Belle Vue - and rider/boss Chris Louis says the club would not be against tracking an unchanged side next season.
Louis said: "We are talking about riders who are not our assets and having to wait to see what the regulations will be in force next season. But I would not mind the team that we currently have.
"We don't know yet what 2010 will bring and I must admit I have an open mind on many aspects at the moment. But what we must ensure is that the Elite League remains viable."
LAKESIDE will look to put their Elite League semi-final disappointment behind them when they go for silverware in the Knockout Cup Final later this month.
The Hammers, beaten by Wolverhampton to end their League campaign, will stage the first leg of the Cup Final at Purfleet on October 9, but are still awaiting their opponents with Belle Vue and Coventry due to resolve their semi-final next Monday.
PETERBOROUGH return to Showground action on Thursday for the first time since mid-August when they race the first of two home Midland League fixtures.
Manager Trevor Swales said: "We had a really good start to the competition when we won at Coventry, and now we need to build on that. Winning the Midland League would certainly be a good way to end what has been a hard year.
"It feels like a very long time since we were in action at our place, but the majority of the lads have been riding a fair bit so I don't envisage any rustiness."
POOLE plan to try-out several possible riders for their future during their late-season challenge fixtures, with Polish duo Artur Mroczka and Dawid Lampart, along with Czech rider Matej Kus set to appear for the Pirates.
Promoter Matt Ford said: "It is important to make it clear that we have not signed these rides as yet. All three of them are coming over to allow us to take a look at them and give them the chance to stake claims for potential contracts.
"This is one reason why I am happy to be involved in the challenge fixtures against Eastbourne and Ipswich, as it will provide an ideal platform for the riders to taste British speedway at the top level, the fans to see some new faces and for us to appraise the situation."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter is ready for a week of vital preparation ahead of the Elite League Grand Final against Wolverhampton, after his side overcame stubborn Coventry resistance in the semi.
Rossiter said: "It's great to make the Final, we've achieved what we wanted from the semi-final and that is pleasing.
"Looking at the way Wolverhampton are riding at the moment we're really going to have to knuckle down and get a few things sorted out. We've got a week now and in that time we'll make sure everything is right before we travel to Wolves."
WOLVERHAMPTON captain Peter Karlsson says he is on schedule to return from a broken collarbone in next Monday's Grand Final against Swindon.
Karlsson said: "I always said I was setting myself a target of two weeks to be back on the bike, and I don't see why that shouldn't be the case. I've got this meeting at the weekend (in the Czech Republic) but I just have to decide whether to try it then or go straight into the final.
"The injury is doing well, it hurt at the time but it seems to be responding well and I'm quite happy with it."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...
BERWICK'S Young Shield chances were severely damaged by the absence of Stan Burza for Saturday's first-leg tie against Workington, from which the Comets took a 20-point away win.
Bandits co-promoter John Anderson said: "We really couldn’t do any better with the constraints placed on us by the Polish authorities, but the young second half lads did well and for the future that’s good to see. But again I want to say sorry to the fans - the weakened state of our team really was out of our control."
BIRMINGHAM promoter Graham Drury is working to resolve issues regarding No.1 rider Tomasz Piszcz, who has been banned from racing in the UK by his Polish club.
Drury said: "It has to be sorted out, I just don't know why this situation has developed and I'm confident we will see him back in action for the play-offs. I'm sure it can be sorted."
EDINBURGH boss John Campbell says securing the services of mid-season signing Kevin Wolbert for next year will be one of the club's top priorities over the winter.
Campbell said: "We have got to have him back in the team, simple as that, and I am close to making sure this happens. Everyone wants to see him."
GLASGOW are still unsure on the fitness of skipper Shane Parker (broken knuckle) ahead of their Scottish Cup clashes with fierce rivals Edinburgh.
Parker said: "I'm not sure if I will be able to ride again this season, although we only have a couple of meetings left. It would be a rather disappointing way to end, but I've been long enough in this sport to know that these things happen."
KING'S Lynn will need to pull back a 13-point deficit against Edinburgh at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday if they are to add the Premier Trophy to their Premier League title.
Stars promoter Buster Chapman said: "Edinburgh are the in-form team of the Premier League at the moment. They have recruited some extra firepower since their last visit and this is by far our toughest challenge of the season."
NEWCASTLE are likely to be without top man Kenni Larsen for the first leg of their promotion play-off semi-final against Edinburgh, as the Dane is competing in the World Under-21 Final on Saturday.
Co-promoter Darryl Illingworth said: "We cannot find a flight from that part of Croatia to anywhere in this country that would enable us to pick Kenni up and get him to Byker in time. We will keep working on it until we have exhausted every possibility and only then go down the guest rider route."
NEWPORT co-promoter Nick Mallett praised Wasps heat-leader Jordan Frampton for his performance in the Premier League Riders' Championship, where he scored nine points and just missed out on a semi-final place.
Mallett said: "We are so pleased that Jordan ended his official season as a Wasp in style. I was unable to attend due to our home meeting, but I have been informed by team manager Laurence Rogers that Jordan looked brilliant and after three rides looked nailed on for at least a semi-final place."
REDCAR will hand a debut to 24-year-old Slovenian Maks Gregoric in the first leg of their Young Shield semi-final against Scunthorpe on Thursday, in place of injured skipper Gary Havelock.
Bears boss Brian Havelock said: "We have not been covering for Gary's absence as well as we would have liked especially away from home. Maks has been performing well in Poland as well as his home country of Slovenia so we made the move for him. It also allows him to get to know the club and the track as we plan ahead for season 2010."
RYE HOUSE skipper Chris Neath has described the club's injury record this year as "a nightmare" as they move into Young Shield action against Sheffield this week.
Neath said: "It's beyond a joke to be honest, we've been up against it all year. The fans get frustrated which is fair enough, but how do they think we feel? We don't have the same team out every week, we don't know who is going to be there, it's just been a nightmare."
SCUNTHORPE star David Howe earned a late call-up to the Premier League Riders' Championship and gave a strong performance, just missing out on a rostrum place in the Final.
Howe said: "I think it’s a big improvement for me to be in the final here, because a couple of years ago on a track like this I’d be very ordinary. Coming to Scunthorpe has brought new skills to my game and I’m actually riding out in the dirt at the fence which you’d never have seen me do a couple of years ago."
SHEFFIELD skipper Ricky Ashworth described his Premier League Riders' Championship win at Owlerton as a dream come true.
Ashworth defeated Darcy Ward, Ty Proctor and David Howe in the Final in front of a bumper attendance in the latest meeting of the Super7even series.
Ashworth said: "It's what I've worked so long for and I can't believe I've actually done it. It's going to take a lot of sinking in, but no-one can take it away from me."
SOMERSET boss Steve Bishop is optimistic that the Rebels can turn around a nine-point deficit and overcome Stoke in the Young Shield on Friday.
He said: "I feel that we have enough fire-power around our own Oak Tree Arena track to see us through to the semi-finals. To come away from Loomer Road just nine points in arrears was a real testament to the way the guys rode."
STOKE star Tom P Madsen says the Potters are still hopeful of extending their season when they defend a nine-point lead at Somerset on Friday in the second leg of their Young Shield quarter-final.
Madsen said: "We had hoped to take a bigger lead into the second leg, but it is still possible for us to take victory over the two legs. It’s now up to us to go down to Somerset and do a job, it’s up to all of us to score well and keep things tight."
WORKINGTON boss Ian Thomas took plenty of satisfaction from the holders' Young Shield quarter-final win at Berwick, which included a maximum from former Bandit Adrian Rymel.
Thomas said: "I have to admit that I wanted to give them a hiding in view of what had happened over the change of fixture date. The boys were magnificent and the guests played their part superbly so that it was a one-sided, overwhelming victory."
FIXTURE PICTURE...
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30: PREMIER TROPHY FINAL: King's Lynn v Edinburgh 7.30 JOE THURLEY MEMORIAL CUP: Birmingham 7.30 TEST MATCH: GB U21 v Austalasia U21, Poole 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 1: MIDLAND LEAGUE: Peterborough v Coventry 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.45
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2: ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Coventry 8pm YOUNG SHIELD: Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30, Somerset v Stoke 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Plymouth v Buxton 7.30 SCOTTISH CUP 1st leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3: YOUNG SHIELD: Rye House v Sheffield 7pm, Workington v Berwick 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Newport 7.30 JUNIOR CHALLENGE: Scotland v Rest of the World, Berwick 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4: PROMOTION PLAY-OFF 1st leg: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v King's Lynn 2.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Weymouth 3pm, Mildenhall v Plymouth 6pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 5: ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30 ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP SEMI FINAL 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30
TUESDAY OCTOBER 6: PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP SEMI-FINAL: King's Lynn v Scunthorpe 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7: PROMOTION PLAY-OFF 1st leg: Birmingham v King's Lynn 7.30 CHALLENGE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 8: MIDLAND LEAGUE: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30 CHALLENGE: Bournemouth v USA Dream Team 7.30, Ipswich v Poole 7.30 TOP GUN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP: Sheffield 7.45
FRIDAY OCTOBER 9: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Lakeside v Belle Vue OR Coventry 8pm PROMOTION PLAY-OFF 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP SEMI-FINAL: Scunthorpe v King's Lynn 7.30 CHALLENGE: Plymouth v USA Dream Team 7.30 SIDECARS: Stoke
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10: SUN TRAP TROPHY: Eastbourne v Poole 7.30 M25 CHALLENGE CUP: Rye House v Lakeside 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11: NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Buxton v Bournemouth 3pm SHAREHOLDERS' TROPHY: Mildenhall 4pm SCOTTISH CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 4pm CHALLENGE: Newport Hornets v USA Dream Team 2.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 12: ELITE LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14: PROMOTION PLAY-OFF 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Birmingham 7.30 CHALLENGE: Poole v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 15: UNDER-25 TEST: Great Britain v Australia, Ipswich 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Bournemouth v Buxton 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Buxton 7.30
