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 Speedway Chairman Pete Toogood believes the race for the Premier League Best Pairs title is closer than ever.
Somerset stage the event on Friday, June 27 – the night before the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Said Toogood: “It’s going to be a tight call, I just cannot predict a winner with any confidence. I’m sure we will see some spectacular racing.
“It underlines what a strong league it is, when you consider the likes of Ulrich Ostergaard, Daniel Nermark, Tai Woffinden and Jason Lyons.
“I know Somerset well from my time with the club and I feel sure the track will be very fair as always and provide an even chance for all the competing clubs.
“The fact that the meeting is timed the night before Cardiff means there is a great chance for supporters to have a feast of speedway throughout the weekend. I’m sure there will be a big crowd.”
The competing clubs have now been asked to submit their choice of riders as they can select any two from their top three. The full and complete line-up will be available shortly.
Qualification has been established in a new way this season. Results from Heat 15 in the Premier Trophy qualification meetings have been logged to decide the competing clubs.
“Hopefully the sun will be shining and we’ll have a great night of racing for the fans to enjoy,” said Toogood.
Full admission details are available at the series website www.super7even.com GROUP 1: Reading, Rye House, Sheffield, Birmingham, Edinburgh. GROUP 2: Workington, Newcastle, Somerset, Redcar, Isle of Wight.
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE will be without Polish rider Lukasz Jankowski for at least a month with a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder after a crash in the Aces' dramatic home win over Eastbourne.
Promoter David Gordon said: "Just when we thought we were getting through a bad spell of injuries, our hoodoo has struck again.
"He has broken his collarbone and there could be further problems with his shoulder. As it looks at the moment, he will be out for a month and possibly six weeks."
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes was pleased to see the Bees return after nearly a month off with a win over Belle Vue - but says they will need to improve over the coming weeks for a shot at defending their titles.
He said: "It was good to get another win, I thought we were always relatively comfortable but we won't be shouting from the rooftops, we're still some way off our best.
"There are still things that we need to do to think about really climbing up the table, but it was some riders' first meetings for nearly a month and it gives us some breathing space."
EASTBOURNE co-promoter Martin Hagon says he is having to learn fast in order to keep pace with the twists and turns of the Elite League season, and the options open to the club.
Hagon said: "Knowledge is a valuable thing and some promoters have been doing this a lot longer than me. If you look at Poole, they made changes very quickly. They were on the ball with the rules and have a very big asset base.
"That makes things more affordable as you don't have to pay loan fees. I still think we have got a very good team, but if you look at Lakeside, for example, with Joonas Kylmakorpi at reserve, they are fortunate for him to be there."
IPSWICH reserve Chris Schramm felt that race-rustiness had played its part as the Witches saw their blistering run of form ended with a ten-point home defeat by Poole.
Schramm said: "It's been a very difficult night, but I haven't ridden a bike in anger for more than three weeks.
"It's completely mad and far too long a time to have off because you lose your reactions and your aggression. The team lost its momentum and when Poole got in front they were simply too fast."
LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook says he would be happy if the Hammers finished the regular stages of the Elite League in second place - leaving the pressure on the leaders ahead of the play-offs.
Cook said: "I'd be happy if we were never top of the league, and I'd go for second all the way because the team that finishes top is under massive pressure.
"We're doing what we need to do as we've picked up nine points away from home and we're the only team left with an unbeaten home record."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales has confirmed that club legend Ryan Sullivan could be in the equation for a shock Showground return later this season - but has played down talk of a deal being struck imminently.
Swales said: "I admit that I am speaking to Ryan but we have not got as far as discussing finances as yet.
"A stumbling block could be accommodating our fixtures alongside his commitments on the continent."
POOLE manager Neil Middleditch felt the Pirates' emphatic win at Ipswich on Monday was vital given their defeats against the Witches and Peterborough in their last two home matches.
Middleditch said: "It was just what we needed after the poor performances of the past couple of weeks. I reminded the boys about this in my pre- match team talk, and said how important it was for us to get a result from this match.
"It would seem that they agreed with me and everyone played their part and scored points when we needed them. We now need to stay in this mood and beat Wolverhampton at Poole on Wednesday night."
SWINDON co-promoter Gary Patchett believes that Theo Pijper can regain his confidence with a move into the Premier League - and is backing replacement rider Manuel Hauzinger to be a success at Blunsdon.
Patchett said: "Manuel will come in on Thursday and maybe it will be a little boost. We will try and get him some track time first.
"I actually think a drop down will help Theo. I don't think he will go long before he finds a ride as there are plenty of Premier League teams looking for riders of his calibre."
WOLVERHAMPTON owner Chris Van Straaten was encouraged by his team’s efforts in the 54-38 home win over Peterborough.
He said: “The boys know the pressure is on and I thought they showed just how much they wanted to put things right.
“Riders like Christian Hefenbrock showed a strong desire and determination, despite riding with a broken bone in his hand.”
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…
BERWICK maintained their healthy position in the Premier League table with a comfortable home win over Glasgow, Czech star Adrian Rymel scoring another Shielfield Park paid maximum.
Promoter Peter Waite said: "This was a great win for us and puts us in equal fourth place in the league. Adrian is on fire at the moment and I can’t see any rider coming close to him at home at the moment, he is superb. The whole of the 'dream team' is finally coming together and racing to form just at the right time."
BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury was a proud man after seeing his side beat Sheffield over two legs to reach the Premier Trophy Final.
The BRC Roofing Brummies went into the meetings without Adam Roynon and Phil Morris through injury.
He said: "It was a major effort by everyone, they all played their part at some stage over the two legs and now we can look forward to the final although that will be tough.”
EDINBURGH reserve Andrew Tully underlined his rapid rate of progress with a 21-point full maximum in the Monarchs' demolition of the Isle of Wight at Armadale - the first rider in club history to achieve the feat.
Tully said: "I feel very happy. You need a bit of luck to score a 21-point maximum with nothing going wrong and nothing did go wrong for me. We're all having fun, enjoying our speedway and we're aiming to end up at the top of the league at the end of the season."
GLASGOW promoter Alan Dick says that star man Shane Parker may be able to return from injury at the end of the month - and Josh Grajczonek may also be back in a couple of weeks.
Dick said: "Shane might be looking at Mildenhall the day after the Grand Prix, and it would be fantastic to have him available again as he is such an important member both on and off the track."
THE Isle of Wight recovered from a thumping defeat at Edinburgh to set up a fascinating Knockout Cup second leg encounter with Workington by holding the Comets to a 15-point margin at Derwent Park.
The Islanders continue to be without veteran Paul Fry due to his leg injury but reserve James Holder is riding through the pain barrier of a broken bone in his hand.
KING'S LYNN'S Australian reserve Kozza Smith has praised influential Stars skipper Tomas Topinka as he continues to make progress in his first season of UK racing.
Smith said: "Tomas Topinka is a good bloke - he's awesome as a captain as well as being amazing off the track. He has helped me out a lot, sorting my bike out and things like that.
Between him and Dooly (Kevin Doolan) they know almost everything and they have a good idea of what to expect."
MILDENHALL promoter Simon Barton says further transfer activity could take place at West Row with the Fen Tigers still winless in the Premier League after going down to Newcastle at the weekend.
Barton said: "The performance of some of our riders was unacceptable in my opinion, the track was difficult but it was the same for both teams. Generally Newcastle seemed to want the victory more than we did. Team changes are being considered and we hope to have some news in that direction within the next couple of weeks."
NEWCASTLE manager George English praised the form of Jason King, whose productive weekend saw him win four out of five races at Mildenhall, and then score a full 18-point maximum at home to Stoke.
English said: "Jason is riding better than ever at the moment, and he's only lost one race out of the last 12 for us which is an excellent record - whilst the firepower that we have got back with George’s [Stancl] return has made a massive difference to us. Now we have to make sure we carry on like this and not drift back to the doldrums."
READING manager Tim Sugar was pleased to see his team overcome a stern challenge from Birmingham to maintain their impressive Smallmead record with a 48-42 win.
Sugar said: "I thought before the meeting it was going to be a difficult match and it turned out that way. But we produced an excellent team performance and I was delighted to have won it."
REDCAR manager Brian Havelock has confirmed that the club made an approach to Henrik Moller, who recently left Elite League Peterborough, with the Bears looking for further cover for the injured Chris Kerr.
Havelock explained: "He wanted to come, but he wanted too much money. I think he'll price himself out of every club in the Premier League with the money he's looking for. He wants flights on top of his deal, and nobody will stand for that."
RYE HOUSE are building up to one of the biggest meetings in their history as they stage a semi-final of the World Under-21 Championship at Hoddesdon on Sunday.
Some of the sport's very best up and coming talent will be on show, including British Under-21 Champion and home star Tai Woffinden, and Poole's Australian sensation Chris Holder.
SCUNTHORPE have signed Emiliano Sanchez from Stoke, with Andrew Moore going in the opposite direction - and both will line up for their new clubs when the two teams meet on Friday.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "Both riders have been struggling for confidence this season and the move should benefit both riders and, therefore, both clubs. Emiliano is delighted to be joining the Scorpions and I really feel he could return to the form he showed at Hull a few years back."
SHEFFIELD have signed talented Coventry youngster Kyle Hughes on loan for the rest of the season.
Hughes, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Sunday, replaces Sam Martin who has found the going tough in his first season of senior racing.
Tigers co-promoter David Hoggart said: "It appears it's just one step too far, too soon, for young Sam. We wish him well and hope Kyle can come in and do a solid job for us."
SOMERSET promoter Mike Golding believes his club will face several strong challenges when they stage the prestigious Premier League Pairs meeting on June 27 - the day before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Golding said: "The field looks a highly competitive one, and any one of the ten teams that have qualified will be in with a good chance of lifting the title. Obviously I would like to think that Somerset will emerge victorious, but looking at this line up it is difficult to pick an out-and-out favourite."
STOKE promoter Dave Tattum feels that Andrew Moore will be able to regain top form with Loomer Road as his home track after completing a swap deal with Scunthorpe involving Emiliano Sanchez.
Tattum said: "It is a switch that suits all parties and I really do think Andrew's inclusion will beef us up. He has been scoring consistently on the away tracks but just wasn't getting on at Scunthorpe. I think this move will suit him."
WORKINGTON youngster Joe Haines is hoping to return to racing at Birmingham on Wednesday - just seven days after he feared he had broken his arm in a crash at King's Lynn.
Haines said: "When I arrived at the hospital, the people there thought it was broken - but two X-rays later they told me it looked as though I had got away with just ligament damage. It was very sore and swollen on Thursday, but it's gradually got a lot better and I can't wait to see how it holds up in a practice session."
FIXTURE PICTURE…
TUESDAY JUNE 10: PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Birmingham 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 11: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Workington 7.45, King's Lynn v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 12: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v King's Lynn 7.30, Sheffield v Edinburgh 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 13: PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Stoke 7.30, Somerset v Glasgow 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY SEMI FINAL: Edinburgh v Reading 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Plymouth v Rye House 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 14: PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Reading 7pm, Stoke v Glasgow 7.30, Workington v Birmingham 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Weymouth v Rye House 7.15 CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Redcar v Boston 3pm
SUNDAY JUNE 15: WORLD UNDER-21 SEMI FINAL: Rye House 2pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Birmingham 4pm, Mildenhall v Redcar 4.30, Newcastle v Reading 5.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Sittingbourne v Buxton 12pm
MONDAY JUNE 16: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30 ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Reading v Mildenhall 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 17: PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Isle of Wight v Workington 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 18: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Poole v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.45 ASHLEY JONES MEMORIAL: Young Lions v Young Roos, King's Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 19: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Reading 7.30, Sheffield v Isle of Wight 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 20: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Coventry v Belle Vue 8pm, Lakeside v Peterborough 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Mildenhall 7.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Plymouth v Weymouth 7.30 EXMOOR CHASE: Somerset 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 21: ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Rye House v Scunthorpe 7pm, Stoke v Isle of Wight 7.30, Workington v Glasgow 7pm CONFERENCE LEAGUE KOC: Weymouth v Plymouth 7.15
SUNDAY JUNE 22: STEVE JOHNSTON TESTIMONIAL: Coventry 1pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Stoke 4pm, Mildenhall v Scunthorpe 4.30, Newcastle v King's Lynn 5.30 CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Buxton v Rye House 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 23: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30, Peterborough v Swindon 7.30 ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP: Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY SEMI FINAL: Reading v Edinburgh 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 24: PREMIER LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 25: CRAIG BOYCE FAREWELL: Poole 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Berwick 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE KOC: Birmingham v Rye House 7.45
