WELCOME to the latest edition of the weekly Speedway GB bulletins keeping you in touch with news, views and fixtures from the tracks up and down the country.
BIG EVENT LATEST...
SIMON Stead insists he’s focussing on enjoying his racing ahead of the British Final at his former track Wolverhampton on Monday, June 14.
The Yorkshireman, who last season drifted out of the Great Britain international spotlight, has been enjoying some bumper scores for Elite League Swindon.
But he’s taking things easy by adopting the classic ‘one meeting at a time’ policy!
“I’m just concentrating on enjoying my racing, if I enjoy it then I feel I can ride better,” said the former Coventry and Belle Vue man.
“I’ve got confidence in myself and my set-up and whilst things are going well I know I can be a good rider.
“It doesn’t mean I’m not taking things seriously because I still have ambition in the sport and obviously it would be fantastic to go to Wolves and win a place at Cardiff for the SGP.
“It’s a good line-up and the form I’m in I see no reason why I can’t have a good meeting around there. Wolves is always a well prepared track, although it would be better for me if it was at Swindon of course!”
Stead has been linked with a return to the GB squad for the World Cup which sees the team start at King’s Lynn in July.
But he said: “That would be nice, but I’m not thinking too much about it. It’s up to Rob (Lyon) to pick the team he feels best and I’m not losing any sleep over it, but it would be smashing if I got the nod and I’d give it my best.
“I like King’s Lynn as a track so I know I could score some points around there, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
The British Final will start with a run-off for the last spot in the meeting between Danny King and Richard Hall.
And the highest scorer in the meeting apart from current SGP star Chris Harris will win a place at the British Grand Prix at Cardiff on Saturday, July 10.
BRITISH FINAL DRAW – Wolverhampton, Monday June 14 (7.30): Andrew Tully, Chris Harris, Oliver Allen, Scott Nicholls, James Wright, Jason King, Paul Clews, Edward Kennett, Simon Stead, Lewis Bridger, Richard Hall or Danny King, Jordan Frampton, Ben Barker, Chris Schramm, Stuart Robson, Leigh Lanham.
UNDER-15 OPEN TRAINING DAY
There will be a free-of-charge TRAINING DAY for anyone aged 15 and under with a bike, at Newport on Tuesday 1st June, starting at 10.30am. Please arrive by 9.30am. Anyone interested, please contact Nikki at SGB office (01788 565603 or -email-)
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...
BELLE VUE boss Chris Morton confirmed the Aces had been made to work hard for their Monday night victory over Swindon.
The result moved Morton's side back into the play-off places but it was not until late the meeting that they broke away and made sure of all three points.
Morton said: "The final score doesn't reflect what actually went on tonight. It looks like we beat them comfortably when we didn't, we beat them uncomfortably!"
COVENTRY are hopeful of shortly being able to announce some team news, with the Bees having scope to strengthen after a disappointing start to the Elite League season.
Co-boss Alun Rossiter said: "All I can say at the moment is that Colin (Pratt) and I have been working hard over the weekend, we are happy with what we have come up with and we feel it will be for everyone's benefit.
"But I really don't want to say too much more because we do need it to be officially ratified before we announce anything."
EASTBOURNE launch a new era of Thursday racing this week with a special challenge match featuring the current Eagles septet taking on several of the club's former favourites.
Co-promoter Mike Bellerby said: "We are certainly looking forward to an exciting night as the present day Eagles go head to head with a select team, including such names as Lee Richardson, Adam Shields and Davey Watt, of those who have served us to such great effect in the past.
"With vintage Speedway machines, quad bikes and the visit of a number of Eastbourne greats from yesteryear in store it certainly promises to be an action packed fun filled night, and we believe the perfect way to start our new era of Thursday night racing here at Arlington."
IPSWICH gained a welcome home win against Eastbourne at Foxhall last Thursday but were unable to secure all three points as Matej Zagar took control of the final race.
The Witches face two important fixtures over the Bank Holiday with a home clash against Coventry on Thursday, and a trip to Peterborough on Monday.
LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook saw his side move four points clear in second place by beating nearest rivals Wolverhampton in a vital Elite League clash on Monday.
Cook told Sky Sports: "We're delighted to get the result as Wolverhampton are normally very good around here.
"I just feel we've upped our game over the last three or four weeks, and I think our second position is genuine. To have extended our lead over Wolves is good news and I think we're looking pretty good for the play-offs if we can keep it going."
PETERBOROUGH are set to sign Frenchman Mat Tresarrieu as they seek the answer to their problems at reserve, where the doubling-up option has not worked well for them.
Director of Speedway Peter Oakes said: "Mat has been out of the sport for more than two years but he now wants to return to speedway.
"It is difficult not to admire his desire to secure a team place after taking on the sort of journey he did to come over on Thursday."
POOLE further extended their lead at the top of the Elite League table with three wins in four matches last week.
The Pirates added to their away victory at Belle Vue with another thumping home win, this time against Eastbourne, and then a 52-44 win at Swindon with Artur Mroczka yet again starring at reserve.
SWINDON boss Ronnie Russell was disappointed to come away from Belle Vue empty-handed after a mid-meeting revival put the Robins right back in touch, only to fall away in the last three heats.
Russell told the Swindon Advertiser: "It was very strange really because when we got to heat 12, I was fully convinced we were actually going to win the match.
"I was also 100 per cent sure that we‘d come away with at least something. Sadly two 5-1s in (heats) two and three and 13 and 14 turned the complexion of the meeting round. It's a shame because it really looked like we were going to walk away with a victory."
WOLVERHAMPTON manager Peter Adams felt his side hadn't enjoyed the rub of the green in their 51-44 defeat at play-off rivals Lakeside on Monday.
Adams said: "It's a frustrating result for us because we felt we could have got something from the meeting.
"We didn't have any luck, we don't mind our riders getting excluded but we do expect consistency from decisions. We were left short in certain departments and it's just disappointing, but there were some positive points too."
PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...
BERWICK co-owner John Anderson says returning star Lee Complin will be allowed time to play himself back in, having missed almost the entire season so far due to a broken arm.
Anderson said: "We know we’ll have to give Lee time. Eight weeks off means we can’t expect the big scores just yet, but we saw flashes there tonight (Saturday, against Scunthorpe) of what we know he can do."
BIRMINGHAM manager Graham Drury said his side had got back on track with their win at Newport to go back to the top of the table on Sunday, coming just two days after a setback at Scunthorpe.
Drury said: "That was much more like it from us and I’m a lot happier than I was on Friday night. We’re now working hard on how we’re going to line up with new averages coming in."
EDINBURGH boss John Campbell admitted he was looking for a reaction to last week's home defeat against King's Lynn - and he got it, with Kalle Katajisto and Kevin Wolbert particularly impressive in a big win over Newcastle.
Campbell said: "I had some harsh things to say last week so tonight I must say well done to the team, and also to the track staff for preparing such a good surface. I’m sure we can ride like this every week!"
GLASGOW have re-signed Anders Andersen on a short-term basis with the Dane having recently lost his place at Berwick.
Andersen has slotted straight back into the Tigers' line-up to replace Mitchell Davey, who requires surgery on a broken collarbone. A further check is expected on Davey's fitness by the end of next month.
KING'S LYNN'S injury problems have returned with Joe Haines ruled out of this week's clash with Stoke due to a knee injury - just a week after the Stars returned to tracking a full side.
Manager Rob Lyon said: "Last week we showed just how good we can be with a full team and completely run riot over Berwick, the fact is R/R weakens the team but we are used to covering for injury’s so we will roll up our sleeves and just get on with it!"
NEWCASTLE completed their Premier Trophy programme at the top of their group with a convincing home win over Edinburgh - after losing out to the Monarchs in the League at Armadale on Friday.
Manager George English said: "Revenge is a sweet thing, and we have to make sure we repeat this fine show when they come back in the League. Kenni (Larsen) and Rene (Bach) are simply unbeatable around our place at the moment, and with Mark (Lemon) also popping in some superb races we're back on course."
NEWPORT manager Kevin Brown apologised to supporters after the Wasps were well beaten at home by Birmingham on Sunday, the Midlands club taking an emphatic 52-39 win.
Brown told the South Wales Argus: "We just got outgunned and under-performed, and I must say sorry to our fans. But we will work on trying to improve, you can be sure of that."
REDCAR have been boosted by the news that key rider Ben Wilson is expected to return from a heel injury this week.
Promoter Brian Havelock said: "There is a much better look about the team with Ben returning. Also Henning (Bager) should be able to find more consistency as he had missed the first months of the British season when he joined us, but a glut of matches on the road should help him no end. The team has been under strength because of various circumstances but having seven riders on track at last gives us every chance of victory."
RYE HOUSE star Stefan Ekberg says the Rockets' much-improved away form - along with some thumping home scores - can make the Hoddesdon club serious contenders this season.
Ekberg said: "Our away form has been something; we’ve lost just once so far. Jordan (Frampton) is great away, and Linus (Sundstrom) has stepped up big time as well this year, and that’s helped to create a really good spirit."
SCUNTHORPE kept up their excellent home form with a 55-39 win over Birmingham, and now need to transfer those performances to their away matches to continue their encouraging start to the Premier League campaign.
Manager Richard Hollingsworth said: "I'm just delighted it went so well. A night like this does wonders for the riders' confidence, and it's nice to say that all six made a big contribution."
SHEFFIELD star Hugh Skidmore is expected to return to action for the Tigers on Thursday despite an horrific crash in their win over Berwick last week.
Skidmore said: "I would like to say a big thank you to the medical staff, I didn't get the chance to express my appreciation at the time because I was in a lot of discomfort. I was pleased nothing was broken and I've made an improvement over the weekend. I don't want to be missing any meetings and I feel I have every chance of being back in the team for Thursday."
SOMERSET co-promoter Debbie Hancock admits that her heart was in her mouth when she saw Rebels number 1, Lubos Tomicek, crashing out of heat 18 of the Czech Grand Prix and subsequently being transferred into a waiting ambulance.
She said: "After all the injuries and rider changes we have had to contend with at Somerset this year, I thought 'oh no, not again!'
"We only had James Holder ruled out for at least a couple of weeks with a dislocated shoulder after being clattered from behind at Redcar two night’s previously, and I just couldn’t believe when Lubos went down and got taken away in the ambulance. Thankfully it was only precautionary and he has declared himself fit and raring to go for our three matches in as many days spell this coming weekend."
STOKE promoter Malcolm Vasey admitted the Potters have much thinking to do after being beaten both at home and away against Workington in last weekend's KO Cup tie.
Vasey said: "Workington have come here tonight and literally taken us apart and that is simply not good enough, and I’m not happy about the situation at all. Dave (Tattum) and I both know we need someone who is going to come in and start winning races for this club but it’s finding the right person."
WORKINGTON surged into the next round of the Knockout Cup with an impressive win at Stoke, 24 hours after building up an 18-point first leg lead against the Potters.
Manager Ian Thomas told getnoticedonline.co.uk :"I’m really pleased because we look as though we have the makings of a good speedway team who are going to get better as the season progresses. It was what we call a very good team performance and there was a lot to feel pleased about."
NATIONAL LEAGUE action continues and you can find all relevant news, reports and other information in the NL section on www.speedwaygb.com
FIXTURE PICTURE...
TUESDAY MAY 25: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Bournemouth (at Wolverhampton) 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 26: PREMIER LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Stoke 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Redcar 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Bournemouth v Isle of Wight 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 27: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Coventry 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Sheffield v Redcar 7.45 CHALLENGE: Eastbourne v Ex-Eagles 7.45
FRIDAY MAY 28: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm, Lakeside v Peterborough 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Rye House 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Weymouth v Newport 7.15
SATURDAY MAY 29: PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Somerset 7pm, Workington v Sheffield 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 30: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Somerset 4pm, Newcastle v Stoke 6.30, Newport v Workington 2.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Birmingham v Sheffield 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm, Mildenhall v Weymouth 5pm
MONDAY MAY 31: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Swindon 7.30, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v Eastbourne 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Workington 2pm, Scunthorpe v Edinburgh 5pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v Dudley 2.30, Rye House v Weymouth (follows PL fixture), Scunthorpe v Plymouth (follows PL fixture)
TUESDAY JUNE 1: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 2: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Somerset 7.30, King’s Lynn v Workington 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 3: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Swindon 7.45, Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newport 7.30, Sheffield v Birmingham 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 4: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Newport 7.30, Somerset v Stoke 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Weymouth v Buxton 7.15 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 5: PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Birmingham 7.30, Workington v Newcastle 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Rye House v Edinburgh 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 6: PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 4pm, Newcastle v King’s Lynn 6.30, Newport v Berwick 2.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Mildenhall 5pm
MONDAY JUNE 7: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 8: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 9: SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Plymouth (at Birmingham) 7.30
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