HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
The victorious Sheffield Tigers celebrating with their supporters after defeating Ipswich in the SGB Championship Grand Final. Picture: JEFF HIGGOTT
SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "“ "We're pretty deflated, of course. But at the same time, as a captain, I'm so proud of the guys and the job they did. Everyone went out there and gave their all. If it wasn't for a few decisions going against us and a few instances of bad luck we might've been able to pull it off, but sadly it just wasn't meant to be." Skipper Craig Cook after a heart-breaking play-off semi-final defeat for the Aces against Wolverhampton. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton or Somerset, Knockout Cup Final, Weds Oct 11 (7.30)
LEICESTER "“ Dates have been set for the Lions' promotion/relegation race-off with newly crowned Championship winners Sheffield. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Promotion/Relegation Race-Off, Weds Oct 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Promotion/Relegation Race-Off, Mon Oct 9 (7.30)
SOMERSET "“ "So we go into Friday's match with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and although the odds are stacked against us, you never know, we might be able to spring a surprise and book our place in the Cup Final!" Team boss Garry May is hopeful of springing a surprise against Wolverhampton as they aim to overturn a 28-point deficit in their Knockout Cup semi-final second leg at the Oaktree Arena on Friday. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Knockout Cup, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
SWINDON "“ "We can't afford to think about that first leg now. Obviously I was disappointed in certain things and we wanted to be in front, but we got it back to four points and the tie is very much alive." Team boss Alun Rossiter insists the Robins are only looking forwards ahead of their Grand Final second leg at Wolverhampton on Wednesday. NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership Play-Off Final, Weds Oct 4 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "“ "15 races is a long time in Speedway and anything can happen so this is far, far from over. We'll be keeping our wits about us but our plan is to do what we did on Monday; hit them hard from the off and keep turning that screw." Stand-in skipper Rory Schlein says Wolves won't take their foot off the gas despite leading the play-off final by four points heading into the second leg on home shale. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership Play-Off Final, Weds Oct 4 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Knockout Cup, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
GLASGOW "“ "It's win or bust for our season now and all the boys will be fired up to win a trophy for the fans." Richie Worrall says the Tigers are determined to end their season by lifting the Knockout Cup. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Knockout Cup, Fri Oct 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Knockout Cup, Mon Oct 9 (7.30)
IPSWICH "“ "Congrats to @TigersSpeedway the better team over two legs. Our boys gave everything. Redemption in a few weeks." Witches' star Rory Schlein took to Twitter following their play-off final heartache "“ and he revealed they are eyeing revenge in the Knockout Cup. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Knockout Cup, Fri Oct 13 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Knockout Cup, Thurs Oct 12 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "“ Newcastle will face two mouth-watering Knockout Cup clashes with Glasgow over the next few days as they aim to keep their hopes of silverware alive. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Knockout Cup, Mon Oct 9 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Knockout Cup, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "“ "We were not prepared to allow the season to fizzle out into disappointment and we always believed a run like this was possible. The response from the boys has been superb with five wins in a row and we're hopeful of adding two more to that total." Ged Rathbone wants the Panthers to continue their late season flourish as they host Workington in the penultimate fixture on Friday. NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "“ "We've finished by putting in one of our best performances of the season." Team boss Dave Peet felt the Scorpions saved their best until last with a win over Peterborough.
SHEFFIELD "“ "It's been a long time coming has this. Obviously it's great for the team we've got at Sheffield right now, but for the management, the staff and of course the supporters, it's moments like this that you'll treasure for the rest of your life." Team boss Simon Stead was revelling in the moment after the Tigers ended their 15-year wait for title glory. NEXT HOME: SGB Championship Pairs, Sun Oct 8 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Promotion/Relegation Race-Off, Weds Oct 11 (7.30)
WORKINGTON "“ Workington's tough run continued with a 48-42 home defeat against Peterborough at Derwent Park last Saturday. They will aim to make amends as they head to the East of England Showground this Friday. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Championship, Sat Oct 7 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE COLTS "“ "Ideally we would've liked much less of a deficit going into the home leg but to be honest I don't think it's beyond us to pull that back; we've had some pretty big scores at home this season." Andy Mellish is confident the Colts can overcome a 16-point deficit in their play-off semi-final clash with Lakeside on Friday. NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League Play-Off Semi-Final, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM "“ "It's going to be a special occasion and with the line-ups we're trying to assemble it should turn out to be a cracking night of speedway as well." Graham Drury is already excited for their Tony Mole Farewell meeting against Coventry next Wednesday, with a number of fans' favourites already confirmed. NEXT HOME: Coventry, Challenge, Weds Oct 11 (7.30)
BUXTON: Buxton will wrap up their campaign with a trip to Stoke this Sunday before hosting Plymouth next Sunday as they bid to avoid the wooden spoon. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National League, Sun Oct 15 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sun Oct 8 (approx. 5pm)
CRADLEY "“ "But for now we can only focus on what we know will be happening and we're sincerely looking forward to what we're sure will be another exciting F.A.S.T Golden Hammer line-up." Heathens' Director Nigel Pearson can't wait to host their showpiece individual meeting at Monmore Green on Monday, October 23 (7.30). NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, National League, Mon Oct 16 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "“ "We planned to get on top from the start and we achieved that aim. The boys attacked the track and got the results they deserved." Team boss Connor Dugard was delighted to overcome tricky conditions to see off Plymouth and reach the Knockout Cup Final. NEXT HOME: Kent, National League Play-Off Semi-Final, Sat Oct 7 (7.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "“ "We'll be looking to pick up a few more points from our last couple of meetings to set us up nicely going into the winter." Co-promoter Barry Bishop is keen to pick up a few more points from their final two away meetings. Read more in this week's Speedway Star. NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sun Oct 8 (3pm)
KENT "“ Luke Bowen and Ben Hopwood performed last-heat heroics as Kent snatched a 46-44 win in the first leg of their National League Play-Off Semi-Final showdown with Eastbourne at Central Park on Monday. NEXT HOME: The Laurels, Mon Oct 9 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National League Play-Off Semi-Final, Sat Oct 7 (7.30)
LAKESIDE "“ "We've done all we can now, and I can't fault the effort from the team. There were some impressive performances, and we've given ourselves a chance going into the second leg next week." Hammers' boss Kelvin Tatum believes a 16-point lead gives them an opportunity to progress ahead of their play-off semi-final second leg at Belle Vue. NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, National League Play-Off Semi-Final, Fri Oct 6 (7.30)
MILDENHALL "“ "Everyone will need to be fully on their game and ready to go toe to toe with a very good Belle Vue side." Kevin Jolly knows the Fen Tigers will need to be at their best when they defy the weather to finally take on Belle Vue in the Knockout Cup semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, National Trophy Final, Sun Oct 8 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National Trophy Final, Fri Oct 6 (7.15)
PLYMOUTH "“ "The lads put on a great team effort and when Eastbourne came back at them they kept going." Laurence Rogers was delighted with the first leg fight shown by his side before they were eventually knocked out of the Knockout Cup. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National Trophy Final, Fri Oct 6 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National Trophy Final, Sun Oct 8 (3pm)
STOKE "“ "I'm now focusing on getting myself right and ready for the Potters' meetings against the Isle of Wight and Buxton on Sunday 8th October which are two very important meetings for the club and ones we all hope that we can win." No.1 Mitchell Davey is keen to return from a brief injury lay-off to help Stoke end their season on a high this weekend. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight + Buxton, National League, Sun Oct 8 (3pm)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4: SGB PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 6: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Somerset v Wolverhampton 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Glasgow v Newcastle 7.30 SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Workington 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 1st leg: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15
SATURDAY OCTOBER 7: SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington v Newcastle 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 8: SGB CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: Sheffield 3pm TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Isle of Wight 3pm, Stoke v Buxton (follows previous fixture) NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 9: PROMOTION/RELEGATION RACE-OFF 1st leg: Sheffield v Leicester 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Glasgow 7.30 THE LAURELS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st/2nd leg: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton/Somerset 7.30 PROMOTION/RELEGATION RACE-OFF 2nd leg: Leicester v Sheffield 7.30 TONY MOLE FAREWELL MEETING: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st/2nd leg: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 14: SGB CHAMPIONSHIP RIDERS' INDIVIDUAL: Glasgow 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 15: SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 16: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Eastbourne 7.30
MONDAY OCTOBER 23: FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30
