HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Ipswich gained revenge for a home defeat to King's Lynn earlier in the season when beating the Stars in a last-heat decider in last week's latest Premiership battle at Foxhall. Picture: JEFF HIGGOTT
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "We were mega disappointed to lose against Wolves last week and this result was just what we needed, especially at this point in the season. A couple of the boys got off to a slow start, but we all came on strong in the end. I think everyone was involved in at least one 5-1 situation which is always great to see." Aces star Dan Bewley stressed the team ethic after his own individual brilliance to score a 15-point maximum in Monday's big win over Ipswich. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Mon Aug 9 NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon Aug 30
IPSWICH "Sheffield winning at King's Lynn has left us in a really, really bad position in the race for the play-offs. Fair play to them but we need to come out fighting on Thursday and get a win. We need to start performing more as a complete team and we will keep fighting until it's mathematically impossible to make it, that will be our focus until then." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins knows the odds are lengthening against his side making it into the play-offs but insists they will continue to battle all the way. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Thur Aug 5 NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Thur Aug 26
KING'S LYNN "It's a tough result to take. The performance from a lot of the boys was very good, but unfortunately we couldn't get out of the starts in the crucial heats. We had some good heat winners, the first four were from King's Lynn, but we couldn't pack the minor places which is crucial in every meeting, and it just wasn't our night." An encouraging run for Alex Brady's Stars came to an end when they were beaten at home by Sheffield on Monday, and they now look ahead to Thursday's local derby at Peterborough. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur Aug 12 NEXT AWAY: Peteborough, Thur Aug 5
PETERBOROUGH "There's too much quality in this league for us to go away all season and be unbeaten. It would be a hell of a record if we did, so that's now broken and Thursday is a new day with King's Lynn at home, and the boys will be looking to put another three points on the board to keep us up the top end of the league." Panthers boss Rob Lyon wasn't getting carried away with defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday, especially as his side again underlined their staying power with a useful point on the road. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Thur Aug 5 NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon Aug 9
SHEFFIELD "Perhaps a bit more firepower at reserve helped, but I'm really happy with the performance. We knew if we were going to progress our season, we needed to look at taking four points here, and it's a great start to the week." Tigers boss Simon Stead was able to acclaim the best performance on the road from his side this season, with the recent signings of Josh Pickering and Stefan Nielsen making a big difference in the win at King's Lynn on Monday. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur Aug 12 NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur Aug 5
WOLVERHAMPTON "We knew it be a tough meeting tonight. Peterborough are well in the running for the title as they hadn't lost away all season but we had just about enough strength for them in the end." Wolves boss Peter Adams was relieved to come through a tight encounter with Peterborough on Monday, with Hans Andersen proving a major threat for the visitors with 15 points at reserve. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Mon Aug 9 NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Thur Aug 12
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "Without Jye (Etheridge), Dany (Gappmaier) and Leon (Flint) we were up against things from the off, and Theo (Pijper) had an off-night, but the guys pulled together and for a good while really worried the Diamonds who were wondering what was going on - but unfortunately we lost our grip over the last three races." Bandits boss Gary Flint saw his injury-hit side run Newcastle close at Brough Park on Sunday but run out of steam in the closing races. NEXT HOME: Poole, Sat Aug 7 NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri Aug 6
BIRMINGHAM "We've lost a lot of the older generation because of the restrictions which were in place when we started the season and we need them back. The owners are facing up to a really difficult decision, the last thing they want to do is close the club, but the losses cannot continue." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers knows this is a make-or-break period for the club, with this week's clash with Kent seen as vital to their future prospects. NEXT HOME: Kent, Wed Aug 4 NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Aug 7
EASTBOURNE "He looked as if he had gone up to another level tonight. He was sitting on the back of the bike and fighting it like you see on the TV with Bartosz Zmarzlik in Grand Prix racing. He was going through gaps which were almost non-existent between the Plymouth riders and the fence." Eagles boss Trevor Geer admitted he was hugely excited by the performance of British Under-21 Champion Tom Brennan in last weekend's home win over Plymouth. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sat Aug 7 NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues Aug 3
EDINBURGH "I was there with Berwick, and I enjoyed the track though at that time I was very inexperienced. I'm looking forward to riding up there again, and getting more bike time to feel comfortable - I felt about 40% comfortable last Saturday but that will soon improve." New signing Luke Crang is confident he can quickly get to grips with the Armadale circuit having been handed a rapid re-introduction to Championship level racing as he replaces Joe Lawlor in the Monarchs' side. NEXT HOME: Poole, Fri Aug 6 NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Aug 3
GLASGOW The Tigers are through to the next round of the KO Cup after home and away wins over Berwick, and they now prepare for this Friday's Ashfield clash with Scunthorpe. NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Fri Aug 6 NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun Aug 15
KENT "We believe that with two of Britain's best youngsters in Dan (Gilkes) and Jake (Mulford) at the bottom end of the team and Troy (Batchelor) and Scott (Nicholls) at the top, both pushed all the way by the very in-form Paul (Starke) and Troy's fellow Aussie Cameron (Heeps) and with Ben (Morley) now really finding his feet at this level, our team suddenly moves into the tougher section of the league and able to give anyone a good a good match." Kings promoter Len Silver believes the signing of Troy Batchelor and the elevation of Jake Mulford to Championship racing gives his side their strongest look since they made the step up to this level at the start of the season. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Tues Aug 3 NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed Aug 4
LEICESTER "From a Lions perspective, it was important that we bounced back, and I don't think the scoreline flattered us to be honest. It was the kind of solid, proper team performance that we should be doing, and it was a good response after an indifferent week." Boss Stewart Dickson was pleased to see his side get the job done with a 63-27 hammering of Birmingham after the Lions had under-performed in home and away defeats to Poole. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sat Aug 7 NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri Aug 20
NEWCASTLE "Newcastle Speedway can no longer continue running at the financial losses it is each week. This weekend's double header meeting, against Poole Pirates and the Plymouth Gladiators featuring Steve Worrall, Danny King, Rory Schlein, Bjarne Pedersen, and hopefully former world champion Jason Crump, really is the best chance to save a 92-year-old Tyneside institution." Worrying times at Brough Park with this Sunday's double-header being billed as vital to the club's chances of survival. NEXT HOME: Poole + Plymouth, Sun Aug 8 NEXT AWAY: Kent, Tues Aug 24
PLYMOUTH The Gladiators are looking to end a four-match losing streak when they welcome Edinburgh to the Coliseum on Tuesday, before visiting Newcastle at the weekend. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Tues Aug 3 NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun Aug 8
POOLE "I spoke to Nicolai about Benjamin and he thought he would be an ideal fit but he thought he had Polish commitments to fulfil which would have precluded him from joining us. I then had a conversation with Frederik who gave me the tip-off that Benjamin was so keen to come to the UK that he would give Poland a miss if there was a chance he could ride for us." Pirates owner Matt Ford confirmed the new signing of Danish youngster Benjamin Basso had come about following recommendations from two of the club's former riders, Nicolai Klindt and Frederik Jakobsen. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Wed Aug 4 NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Aug 6
REDCAR "We are in a great position in the league right now, so it is essential that we get this right. We have a busy August coming up, which will be vital to our hopes of success this year. Riders are thin on the ground at the moment, but we are looking at all the options available to us and anyone coming in will have to improve our chances of making the play-offs." Bears promoter Jitendra Duffill insists the club will not rush into a snap decision to replace injured Aussie Jordan Stewart, who has returned home after calling time on his season. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Fri Aug 6 NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Tues Aug 10
SCUNTHORPE "It will be great to largely get back to normal. We are planning to re-start having our riders in the clubhouse after the meeting, something which was very popular with our supporters." Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey is pleased to see the recent lifting of restrictions enabling near-normality at the Eddie Wright Raceway "“ although they have to wait until mid-August for a home meeting after last week's clash with Poole was rained off. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Fri Aug 13 NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri Aug 6
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
ARMADALE "I thought we were unlucky not to come away with something. Several times we were well placed in heats which were stopped and didn't do so well in the restart. I was pleased to see George Rothery have his best meeting for a while, and Gregor Millar is certainly making progress." Devils boss Alan Budzynski took some encouragement from his side's display at Mildenhall on Sunday despite defeat after a lengthy spell out of action. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Sat Aug 28 NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Fri Aug 20
BELLE VUE "We really needed this result, and it has really boosted morale amongst the boys. We knew Leicester were a strong side, but we were stronger on the night. We knew they would put us to the test, and they didn't make it easy for us. All the lads played their part and every point we scored was crucial." Youngster Sam McGurk made a successful return from injury in the Colts' home win over Leicester which leaves them fourth in the NDL standings at the halfway stage of their campaign. NEXT HOME: Armadale, Fri Aug 20 NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Aug 8
BERWICK The Bullets remain top of the NDL following Leicester's defeat at Belle Vue, with their next home match at Kent a potentially vital one for their title aspirations. NEXT HOME: Kent, Sat Aug 21 NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sun Aug 15
EASTBOURNE The Seagulls' proposed clash with Armadale last weekend was postponed meaning the club's NDL side must wait for later in the month to get back into action as they look to climb the table. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun Aug 15 NEXT AWAY: Armadale, Sat Aug 28
KENT The Royals are the only NDL side to notch two away wins so far, although the majority of their home matches are set to take place in the latter stages of the season with Championship matters taking priority at Central Park. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Tues Sept 21 NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat Aug 21
LEICESTER "Dan (Thompson) was outstanding, his speed increased as the meeting went on and his gating was electric, and Ben (Trigger) was unbelievable in his first three with the gates he was making, and the grip he was getting out of bend two when he was pulling away. The progress he's making is great to see." Cubs boss Dave Howard was pleased with his team's efforts at Belle Vue, where a last heat 4-2 from Dan Thompson and Joe Lawlor ensured they gained a league point. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat Sept 11 NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Sept 12
MILDENHALL "Elliot (Kelly) was smiling again, clearly responding to the help he was receiving from Jon Armstrong in the pits and both Jordan (Jenkins) and Jason (Edwards) returned to the team and put in fine performances. The averages will now change for some of the team, so we will sit down next week and work out how best we will line up." Relief for the Fen Tigers' boss Malcolm Vasey and several of the riders after they put a home win on the board against Armadale at West Row on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sun Aug 8 NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Aug 21
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
TUESDAY AUGUST 3: CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Eastbourne 6.30, Plymouth v Edinburgh 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Kent 7.30, Poole v Edinburgh 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 5: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30, Peterborough v King's Lynn 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 6: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Poole 7.30, Glasgow v Scunthorpe 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 7: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Poole 7pm, Eastbourne v Birmingham 7.30, Leicester v Edinburgh 7pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 8: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Poole 4pm, Newcastle v Plymouth (follows previous fixture) NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Belle Vue 3pm
MONDAY AUGUST 9: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Wolverhampton v King's Lynn 7.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 10: CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Edinburgh 6.30, Plymouth v Redcar 7pm
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11: CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Redcar 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.30
THURSDAY AUGUST 12: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Peterborough 7.30, Sheffield v Wolverhampton 7.30
FRIDAY AUGUST 13: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Plymouth 7.30, Glasgow v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 14: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Plymouth 7pm, Leicester v Eastbourne 7pm BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh 2.30
SUNDAY AUGUST 15: CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Berwick 3pm, Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30, Redcar v Plymouth 2pm NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Berwick (follows Champ fixture) BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: Redcar (125cc/150cc) (follows Champ fixture)
MONDAY AUGUST 16: BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue 7.30
TUESDAY AUGUST 17: CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent v Berwick 6.30, Plymouth v Scunthorpe 7pm
