HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK... WOLVERHAMPTON followed up their season-opening victory at King's Lynn last week with a 62-28 Premiership demolition of Ipswich on Bank Holiday Monday at Monmore Green. Wolves seen here on parade against the Witches. Picture: STEVE FEENEY
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "Dan Bewley was simply sensational, and we were thoroughly impressed with Tom Brennan's performance at Peterborough. He only dropped two points and he's never seen the track before! Results like these make it much less of a long day for everyone and as a manager I couldn't ask for more from the boys than they gave us." Aces boss Mark Lemon was a happy man after a Bank Holiday Monday win at the East of England Arena "“ hours after being held to a home draw by the same opponents in Manchester. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Mon June 7 NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Thur June 24
IPSWICH "Nothing is won or lost tonight, we need to take the learning experience from it and improve massively next time we come and hopefully tonight will give us a lot of knowledge." Ritchie Hawkins and the Witches were brought down to earth with a bump after conceding 62 points at Wolverhampton on Monday after what had been a bright start to the season. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Thur June 3 NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon June 7
KING'S LYNN "Richard had a great British Final last year and it's ironic that he'll make his debut for us at Ipswich which was his home track last season. Hopefully he'll be able to pass on a few tips to the boys! We know what Richard is all about, we know he's a fine rider and we're confident he can do a good job for us." Stars co-promoter Dale Allitt is confident Richard Lawson can do a solid job for the club after the shock move to part company with No.1 Craig Cook last week. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Thur June 17 NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur June 3 *TEAM CHANGE: Richard Lawson 5.64 replaces Craig Cook 7.59
PETERBOROUGH "It was so nice to be riding in front of the fans again. I've always enjoyed riding here, I've been here 20 years or so, and the fans have been just as eager as we have to get on track again, so it's nice to see them and give them a show." Panthers star Hans Andersen gave a vintage performance in Monday's home defeat to Belle Vue, having also contributed well in the draw in Manchester earlier in the day. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Mon June 7 NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur June 10
SHEFFIELD "I told Jason it was a dream come true for me. It was a great moment to beat him like I did, even though he left room because he thought it was his partner Danny King. I'm pleased with my performance, and it was great to finally make my debut for Sheffield." Adam Ellis scored 16 points on his Tigers debut at Ipswich last Thursday and also prevented speedway legend Jason Crump from collecting his first maximum since returning to the sport. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur June 3 NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon June 7
WOLVERHAMPTON "It was an unexpected result that, the boys were brilliant from start to finish and kept their foot on the pedal from start to finish, so naturally I'm very pleased. We couldn't have wished for a better start to the season, but it is only the start and we have a long, long way to go." Even boss Peter Adams was surprised by the nature of Wolves' 58-32 win at King's Lynn last week "“ but they then topped that total four nights later by scoring 62 at home to Ipswich! NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Mon June 7 NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Thur June 3
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "Jye (Etheridge) was still sore after his crash last week, but sill put in the effort while Dany (Gappmaier) excelled and looked like he was going to be unbeaten till he met Thomas Jorgensen, but we all know how well he used to go round this place. This sets us up very nicely indeed for prepping for our future matches." Bandits boss Gary Flint was far happier with his team's display in last weekend's win over Scunthorpe after they had crashed to an opening night defeat to Birmingham. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sat June 5 NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sun June 6
BIRMINGHAM "I've learnt a lot from 2019 when I came over here for the first time. Things didn't go to plan then, but we're here to improve and I'm really looking forward now. I had some good races in my first year, but I also had some bad rides too. I want to put the first and second places together a lot more and I want to score bigger points for Birmingham." Brummies newcomer Valentin Grobauer is looking forward to making his debut at Perry Barr as he builds on a learning experience with Somerset two years ago. NEXT HOME: Redcar (KOC), Wed June 2 NEXT AWAY: Redcar (KOC), Fri June 4
EASTBOURNE "What a first meeting to come back to after 20 months away. It was unbelievable. To be down all meeting and come back like that was perfect for the supporters. I thought it would be close tonight, but not this close. I expected we would win more easily than we did." Eagles co-promoter Trevor Geer was a delighted if relieved man after his side carved out a 45-44 win over South coast rivals Poole thanks to a last-race 5-1 from Richard Lawson and Lewis Kerr. NEXT HOME: Kent (KOC), Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri June 4
EDINBURGH "For early in the season I'll take that, two draws. I felt quick in 15, I felt faster than Charles (Wright) but he was doing some left turns on me so I went over and said, "˜you should have put your indicators on!' But to be fair, I would probably have done the same. I felt quick I should have had him, but that's speedway - you win some, you lose some." Monarchs star Richie Worrall was involved in two close-fought last-heat deciders as both weekend clashes with Redcar ended in 45-45 draws. NEXT HOME: Newcastle (KOC), Fri June 4 NEXT AWAY: Newcastle (KOC), Sun June 6
GLASGOW "It was great to be back. We haven't raced here since October 2019 so it's been a long time. We're very happy to get the win. It's a shame the rain came but we managed to score some good points and it's a strong start to our season." Tigers reserve Sam Jensen impressed in the opening home victory over Kent, even though the weather forced a curtailment after 11 races. NEXT HOME: Poole, Fri June 4 NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues June 8
KENT The Kings are building up to their long-awaited Championship home opener against Glasgow at Central Park next Tuesday, with further away matches to come before that stage including a KO Cup trip to Eastbourne on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Tues June 8 NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues June 1
LEICESTER "A couple of their boys had a tough night but it doesn't matter to us, we're here to concentrate on our own game. You can't worry about anyone else too much and the boys stayed focused. Kyle (Howarth) had an awesome meeting and Nick (Morris) was pretty solid. If us three can put in some pretty big scores when we go to places then we're going to be really competitive." Lions star Ryan Douglas said the team could be very content with their opening efforts to build up a 14-point lead at Scunthorpe in the first leg of their KO Cup tie. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat June 5
NEWCASTLE "We are fully indebted to Nigel's quick decision, and we're all excited to have him on board and working with him after his vast experience, with a wealth of knowledge of the rulebook with Sheffield over the last 30 years, so we know he will do a cracking job for us, and our seven guys on track are also looking forward to working with him to make Newcastle Diamonds' 2021 a season to remember." Diamonds promoter Rob Grant made a last-minute decision to change team manager with Nigel Hincliffe appointed at Brough Park to replace Darren Hartley. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh (KOC), Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh (KOC), Fri June 4
PLYMOUTH "The club are gutted and now have a big hole to fill as Henry has shown he is a master of the Plymouth track and with his 2019 Championship knowledge, he would have been a key rider of the team in the away meetings." Devils promoter Mark Phillips reacts to the sad news that youngster Henry Atkins could be forced to miss the remainder of the season as he needs shoulder surgery after suffering a recent dislocation. NEXT HOME: Kent, Tues June 1 NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues June 15
POOLE "I think we saw the potential in this side tonight. It was difficult for the new young Aussie lads, to get to grips and get things going, but like I said this is not the easiest place to come to. Stevie (Worrall) was just sensational. Four great programmed rides but he just couldn't make it work for him in the final heat." NEXT HOME: Berwick, Wed June 9 NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri June 4
REDCAR "I'm happy, a little annoyed with Heat 15 but going into the meeting I felt relaxed and ready to perform. We are definitely disappointed to draw the meeting but it gives us something to work on, we have a good set of lads and we are gelling together really well!" Bears reserve James Sarjeant reacts after they were forced to settle for a draw at home to Edinburgh "“ after also recording a 45-45 result at Armadale two days earlier. NEXT HOME: Birmingham (KOC), Fri June 4 NEXT AWAY: Birmingham (KOC), Wed June 2
SCUNTHORPE "I'm finding it really good riding for Scunthorpe. Dave (Peet) is good with me, so is Rob (Godfrey) "“ everyone has been really welcoming. I get along with all the boys. With some teams, some riders don't like each other or it's really quiet down the pits. But I'm talking to Simon (Lambert) throughout the week and the team is always active in group chats." Scorpions newcomer Josh MacDonald has plenty of praise for his new club after his late-winter move to join the Lincolnshire outfit. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Fri June 4 NEXT AWAY: Leicester (KOC), Sat June 12)
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
ARMADALE "George Rothery's unfortunate fall in heat 2 undoubtedly changed the complexion of the match, a win for George there would have likely led to more points throughout the match." Promoter John Campbell reflected on an early turning point in the second race of the Devils' 40-50 defeat at Leicester last weekend. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat June 19 NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun June 6
BELLE VUE "It's rare that you get a heat where both of the opposing team's riders are excluded but we didn't need the 5-0 to get the win on the night. All the boys rode really well. Taking the lead early on gave us a huge boost in confidence and we carried that through the rest of the night and the result reflects that." Colts youngster Sam McGurk made a dream debut with 10+1 in the victory over Berwick as the new-look Belle Vue side raced for the first time at the NSS. NEXT HOME: Kent, Fri July 2 NEXT AWAY: Armadale, Sat June 19
BERWICK "The guys held the Colts blow for blow early on, but come the halfway mark Belle Vue hammered home their advantage and took a well-deserved victory." Bullets boss Gary Flint had no complaints after a 38-51 defeat at the National Speedway Stadium with the Colts virtually cancelling out a 52-38 Berwick home victory a week earlier. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sat June 5 NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sun June 6
EASTBOURNE "We said if you are in a heat with Ryan Kinsley and Dan Gilkes, and they trap and are gone, we said just sit in, be sensible, be happy with second and third and just consolidate. They did that brilliantly." Co-promoter Lee Kilby said the gameplan had been well executed by the Seagulls as they secured a 45-45 draw at Kent on Bank Holiday Monday. NEXT HOME: Kent, Sat June 19 NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun June 20 *TEAM CHANGE: Danno Verge 5.56 replaces Henry Atkins 5.86
KENT "It was a great race and there wasn't a lot of room but great to be involved and win races like that." Maximum man Dan Gilkes enjoyed a terrific battle with former team-mate Nathan Ablitt during the Royals' 45-45 draw with Eastbourne on Monday. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Tue July 27 NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat June 19
LEICESTER "I think a large amount of Ben's family were here and they were very vocal, and obviously everybody likes to see someone who's so young coming in and really putting it in between riders in the first meeting, so it was a great performance from him in his first team meeting." Cubs boss Dave Howard was proud of the efforts of Ben Trigger, who scored 7+1 on his NDL debut in last weekend's win over Armadale "“ just two days after his 15th birthday. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat June 5 *TEAM CHANGE: Ben Trigger 3.00 replaces James Chattin 3.00
MILDENHALL: Jason Edwards 7.53, Luke Ruddick 6.67, Jordan Jenkins 6.55, Sam Bebee 4.25, Elliot Kelly 3.62, Arran Butcher 3.00, Sam Hagon 3.00 IN: Ruddick (from Leicester), Jenkins (from Kent), Bebee (returns from injury), Hagon. OUT: Ryan Kinsley (to Kent), Charlie Brooks, Henry Atkins (to Eastbourne), Matt Marson. NEXT HOME: British U21 semi-final, Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Wed June 16
NEWCASTLE "It's been an emotional night for us all, finally coming to the tapes after taking over in the winter of 2019, and at last we're here, and with a fine win at that. These youngsters really rode their hearts out for the Gems cause and got the win they very much deserved with a superb team spirit." After a year of turmoil to keep the club on track, co-promoter Rob Grant was able to celebrate success with the Gems' winning their NDL opener at Armadale last month. NEXT HOME: Armadale, Sun June 6 NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat June 19
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
TUESDAY JUNE 1: CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Kent 7pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 2: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Birmingham v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 3: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v King's Lynn 7.30, Sheffield v Wolverhampton 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 4: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Poole 7pm, Scunthorpe v Eastbourne 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, (2nd leg) Redcar v Birmingham 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 5: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Leicester 6.30 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Berwick v Leicester (follows Champ fixture)
SUNDAY JUNE 6: BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Mildenhall 3pm CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester v Berwick 4pm CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Eastbourne v Kent 3.30, (2nd leg) Newcastle v Edinburgh 4pm NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Leicester v Berwick (follows Champ fixture), Newcastle v Armadale (follows KOC fixture)
MONDAY JUNE 7: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30, Peterborough v King's Lynn 7.30, Wolverhampton v Sheffield 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 8: CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Glasgow 6.30, Plymouth v Berwick 7pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 9: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Glasgow 7.30, Poole v Berwick 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 10: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 11: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Leicester 7.30, Glasgow v Redcar 7.30, Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 12: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Redcar 7pm, Eastbourne v Edinburgh 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Leicester v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 13: BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Newcastle 4pm CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Glasgow 5pm BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2: Redcar (500cc/250cc) (follows Champ fixture)
MONDAY JUNE 14: PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30
TUESDAY JUNE 15: CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Plymouth 6.30
