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
WORKINGTON youngster James Wright romped to victory in the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Swindon.
Wright got the better of Birmingham’s Jason Lyons, Berwick star Jacek Rempala and Daniel Nermark of King’s Lynn in the final.
Said Wright: "This is the biggest title I've won in my career and quite easily my best night in speedway. I changed my engine for this meeting after Saturday and couldn't believe how fast it went."
Qualifying scores: James Wright 14, Jason Lyons 13, Daniel Nermark 13, Chris Holder 11, Tomas Topinka! 10, Jacek Rempala 9, Tai Woffinden 7, Kaj Laukkanen 7, Josef Franc 7, Chris Kerr 6, Chris Schramm (res) 6, Lee Complin 5, Andre Compton 4, Michal Rajkowski 4, Emil Kramer 2, Trent Leverington 1, Jason King dna.
2007 SUPER7EVEN ROLL OF HONOUR Elite League Pairs: Poole (Jason Crump/Bjarne Pedersen) British Under-21 Champion: Edward Kennett British Champion: Chris Harris Premier League Pairs: Isle of Wight (Chris Holder/Jason Bunyan) Premier League Fours: Isle of Wight Elite League Riders’ Championship: Nicki Pedersen Premier League Riders' Championship: James Wright
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST
ARENA ESSEX-LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook knows the importance of a good first-leg performance when his side travel to Coventry in the first leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final on Friday.
Cook said: "We're due a good performance at their place and under-estimating us would be a mistake. Andreas Jonsson will be a real trum! p card for us there, and I hope we can get Krzysztof Kasprzak into some of the form he showed earlier in the season.
"Coventry are the sort of club and team I want us to be, and I think we're heading in the right direction. They're setting the standards in the Elite League at the moment."
BELLE VUE boss Eric Boocock says there is a much stronger atmosphere in the Kirkmanshulme Lane pits after a late-season upturn in performances and results.
Boocock said: "You could feel the difference in the team in the pits after the home wins over Eastbourne and Ipswich. The lads were so much happier.
"They had ridden well both individually and as a team. Collectively they were a much brighter set of riders, and that situation improved again after winning at Reading. It was so good to see."
COVENTRY are celebrating the Elite League Championship for the second time in three years after a 59-34 win over Swindon on Monday for a 19-point aggregate success.
Bees co-boss! Peter Oakes said: "We just have such an unshakable faith in everyone's ability, and it was another fantastic all-round effort. Everyone picked up points when needed, and the final score shows a runaway victory for a Grand Final.
"We all felt absolute elation when we did it, probably more so than at Belle Vue two years ago, because the crowd were fantastic. They got behind the team so much and I genuinely never thought I'd see scenes at a speedway meeting like we had at the end."
EASTBOURNE owner Bob Brimson is optimistic for the future after some encouraging displays in the Eagles' weekend win over South coast rivals Poole.
Brimson said: "After trouncing Poole by 16 points at Arlington on Saturday nigh, it seems apparent that Morten Risager and Simon Gustafsson have something very special, both putting in performances well above what we had a right to expect.
"In the last two meetings Morten has taken both Andreas Jonsson and Jason Crump, both times with pure ! tactical and mature skill on a track that he is still learning to ride properly, amazing stuff to watch."
IPSWICH promoter John Louis backed the decision to abandon the second leg of the Witches' Craven Shield tie at Coventry after twelve races due to weather conditions.
The Witches had seen Kim Jansson crash out in Heat 1 with the Swede being taken to hospital complaining of back pain, although fortunately there were no broken bones.
Louis said: "Naturally we are disappointed that the meeting was abandoned but the track was getting worse and the safety fence had turned almost completely black. When that happens it becomes extremely difficult to see properly on the track, and I believe that the correct decision was made in abandoning the meeting."
PETERBOROUGH owner Colin Horton is concerned about crowd sizes at the Showground and has hinted that the club could contemplate a drop to the Premier League next year.
He said: "We have become one of the best teams in the country with some of the best riders in the world and we have without doubt the best product in British speedway.
"Unfortunately what we don't have is the size of crowd we need to sustain Elite League racing. The amount of money I have lost here runs into the high tens of thousands and I am not prepared for that to go on any longer."
POOLE will donate a percentage of gate receipts from Wednesday's home meeting at Wimborne Road to club legend Craig Boyce, who is set to appear in Pirates colours for the final time.
Promoter Matt Ford said: "After asking Boycie to stand down from the main body of the team a couple of weeks ago to allow Polish youngster Adrian Gomolski an opportunity until the end of the season, we wanted to provide a meeting on Wednesday in which a percentage of the gate receipts went to Craig.
"He has been such a loyal servant to the club over 20 years and I am so pleased we have been able to bring him back for the last two seasons from the Isle of Wight. I have enjoyed watching him as a supporter, a sponsor and as his promoter."
READING expect Slovenian star Matej Zagar to return to their team for the final weeks of the season after serving out a one-month suspension.
The Racers are to re-stage their Knockout Cup semi-final against Swindon after the initial running of the meeting was abandoned due to an accident in Heat 11.
Promoter Malcolm Holloway said: "We will look forward to taking Swindon on again with a full side, as Matej Zagar will be back for this one and also our final away league match at Eastbourne."
SWINDON manager Alun Rossiter had sympathy for skipper Leigh Adams, whose magnificent performance at Coventry on Monday was not enough to carry the Robins to Elite League glory.
Rossiter said: "I just feel so sorry for Leigh Adams. He has been instrumental in getting us here and he has just been kicked in the goolies.
"It was probably our worst performance of the season. I am abs! olutely gutted at the moment, I just feel empty. When we came here I really believed we could win."
WOLVERHAMPTON will be without David Howe for the remaining weeks of the season.
Howe crashed in the Cumberland Classic at Workington on Saturday and broke a collarbone for the second time this season.
He said: "I'd love to be back but I don't think so before the end of the season. I'm gutted because I've really enjoyed my racing this year, mainly thanks to the fact that I've been back at Wolves."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST
BERWICK boss Peter Waite praised Jacek Rempala after the Pole finished third in the Premier League Riders' Championship at the end of a troubled season for the club.
Waite said: "We wait all season for something to shout about and it’s the last official appointment for a Berwick rider that delivers a very prestigious National third place for us. We must now thoroughly look at our set-up, wipe the slate clean and start afresh with new plans and new ideas, making sure the old errors and mistakes are not repeated."
BIRMINGHAM skipper Jason Lyons has dropped a big hint that he would like to return to Perry Barr next season.
He said: "I'm so happy with my form and Birmingham is a great club to ride for, the fans are terrific. It's too early to say about next season, but I would welcome the opportunity to talk about coming back here."
EDINBURGH star Kaj Laukkanen said that several of the young Finnish riders who raced in a challenge match at Armadale last Friday had gained some useful experience.
Laukkanen said: "We did quite well and only lost by six points. Some of my team, and you could see it, were uncomfortable racing under floodlights as we always have daytime meetings back home."
GLASGOW should have Craig Watson back for the start of their Young Shield campaign against Redcar this week - although captain Shane Parker is still on the sidelines.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: "It will certainly be one heck of a battle. We do want to do well in the Young Shield, but it is essential that we are at full strength for a punishing schedule."
ISLE OF WIGHT chairman Martin Newnham is hoping for a big turn-out for the Islanders' Tuesday clash with Rye House in the Premier League play-offs.
He said: "We dearly want to win this prestigious national title for everyone on the Island and I'm urging everyone to come along as we bid to build up as big a lead as possible from our home leg to take with us for the following Saturday's second leg in Hertfordshire."
KING'S LYNN hope to finally lift the Premier Trophy this Friday when they take on Birmingham in the much-delayed second leg, having established a twelve point advantage from the away leg at Perry Barr.
Promoter Buster Chapman said: "This is a chance for the riders and fans to finally celebrate some of their success this year if we hold on and finish the job. It's been a tough year weather-wise ! but we are not going to let that get in the way of a good old celebration."
MILDENHALL skipper Jason King - along with a coachload of fans travelling from West Row - were unable to make it to last Sunday's Premier League Riders' Championship due to a tragic accident which closed the M4 and made it impossible for them to reach Blunsdon.
Fen Tigers team manager Laurence Rogers said: "On behalf of Jason King and Mildenhall may I apologise for his non-appearance at Swindon. You cannot anticipate a motorway being closed like this in tragic circumstances with thoughts going out to the family involved in the fatality. Jason did all he could to get there and we were in constant contact as I let the referee and the BSPA representatives know the situation."
NEWCASTLE manager George English is unconcerned about facing Workington in the quarter-finals of the Young Shield, feeling that the Diamonds can perform well in both legs against the Comets.
English said: "It suits us fine. We only lost by four points on aggregate when we met in the league and I’m sure both legs will be fiercely contested."
NEWPORT have been boosted ahead of their Knockout Cup semi-final with Somerset by the news that key reserve Barry Burchatt has not broken his wrist as initially feared, and he will take his place in the team on Sunday.
Promoter Tim Stone said: "Having Barry in the team is a great boost to us. He's fit and raring to go, and he is important to us as it's really hard to find replacements in that area who can bring in the points that he is capable of."
REDCAR are hoping that inspirational skipper Gary Havelock recovers from a wrist injury in time to take his place in the Bears team for their Young Shield clash with Glasgow on Thursday.
Manager Brian Havelock said: "We've had a hell of a season for injuries but the boys are still in there pitching for national honours. I want every Bears fans to create a wall of sound on Thursday at the Motorpark that will truly inspire our lads to another great performance."
RYE HOUSE boss John Sampford is confident that he has the team to compete with any others as the Rockets go into play-off semi-final action against the Isle of Wight this week.
Sampford said: "We don't fear going anywhere these days. We believe we can do a good job whether we win or not. Our lowest away score was 37, the rest have been 40 and above, and the way we are riding at home with such confidence has given us the ability to pick up so many bonus points."
SHEFFIELD owner Neil Machin is urging caution amongst his fellow Premier League bosses when it comes to the prospect of more clubs joining the middle tier next year.
He said: "I like to see growth in the Premier League, but it must be under control. In an ideal world a team would come to us with seven riders and say they want to join. If we have three more clubs I cannot see where the riders are coming from."
SOMERSET co-promoter Mike Golding is worried about a potential lack of dates at the Oak Tree Arena in the remaining weeks of the season.
"We now have just three Fridays available to us after this weeks match with Stoke, and potentially we have four home matches left if we make it through to the finals of both the Young Shield and Knockout Cup. Obviously four into three does not go, so it will be more head scratching to see how we can accommodate the matches."
STOKE secured their place in the Young Shield by defeating Berwick at Loomer Road last Wednesday, and they will now face Somerset in the quarter-finals.
WORKINGTON manager Tony Jackson reckons everyone at the club should feel proud of James Wright's win in the Premier League Riders' Championship.
He said: "I remember when Wrighty first got a chance in the Premier League with us as a rookie and now he's top of the pile. It's a great story and we should all be proud of what he's done."
(FIXTURE UPDATE)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 2: PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Isle of Wight v Rye House 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Mildenhall v Birmingham 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3: CHALLENGE: Poole v Vicrown Developments Select 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Birmingham v Mildenhall 7.45 CHALLENGE: King's Lynn v Leicester 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 4: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Poole 7.30 CRAVEN SHIELD: Swindon v Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield v King's Lynn 7.45 YOUNG SHIELD: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 5: ELITE LEAGUE KOC: Coventry v Arena Essex-Lakeside 8pm PREMIER TROPHY FINAL: King's Lynn v Birmingham 7.30 YOUNG SHIELD: Somerset v Stoke 7.30 SCOTTISH CUP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL: Plymouth v Oxford 7.30 CONFERENCE KO CUP SEMI-FINAL: Boston v Scunthorpe 7.30 (AT SCUNTHORPE)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 6: ELITE LEAGUE KOC: Arena Essex-Lakeside v Coventry 8pm CRAVEN SHIELD: Eastbourne v Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL: Rye House v Isle of Wight 7pm YOUNG SHIELD: Stoke v Somerset 7.30, Workington v Newcastle 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7: PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Newport v Somerset 3pm YOUNG SHIELD: Glasgow v Redcar 2pm, Newcastle v Workington 6.30 SCOTTISH CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh (follows Redcar fixture) NEW ERA TROPHY: Oxford 7.30 CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL: Scunthorpe v Boston 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 8: CRAVEN SHIELD: Belle Vue v Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30, Reading v Arena Essex-Lakeside v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v Coventry v Ipswich 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10: PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL: King's Lynn v Sheffield 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 11: 16 LAPPER INDIVIDUAL: Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 12: CRAVEN SHIELD: Arena Essex-Lakeside v Peterborough v Poole 8p! m PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Isle of Wight 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Somerset v Newport 7.30 CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL: Boston v Scunthorpe (follows King's Lynn fixture) CONFERENCE TROPHY: Plymouth v Oxford 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13: CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Rye House v Boston 7pm, Stoke v Buxton 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Birmingham 2pm, Glasgow v Stoke (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 15: ELITE LEAGUE KOC: Reading v Swindon 7.30 MARSTONS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30 CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL: Oxford v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17: PRIDE OF THE EAST: King's Lynn 7.30
