HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Jack Smith seen here leading as Belle Vue Colts kept alive their Travel Plus National League play-off hopes with a 58-32 home win against Isle of Wight on Friday. Picture: IAN CHARLES
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It's fantastic feeling to have made the play-offs. The lads had to work extra hard to cover for Dan [Bewley] and everyone did a tremendous job to make this happen." Aces star Craig Cook was delighted to see them qualify for the top-flight play-offs for a fourth successive season with their dramatic home win over Somerset last week. NEXT HOME: Somerset (KOC), Wed Sept 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset (KOC), Wed Sept 12 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "We are very proud to finish top of the league but that's done now. Now we have to go on and finish the job starting with the Belle Vue clashes. The last two meetings were very close home and away so it's not going to be easy. But we've given ourselves a great opportunity." Stars boss Dale Allitt stresses it all starts again with his side having topped the Premiership table and chosen to face Belle Vue in the play-off semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Swindon (KOC), Mon Sept 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue (POSF), Mon Sept 24 (7.30)
LEICESTER "The boys did have a go but they have so much firepower especially on their home patch. It was always going to be an uphill struggle. We had the odd moment of class from the boys but never in the hunt to get a result." Lions boss Simon Stead saw his side go down to double defeat at King's Lynn in their final fixtures of a tough, injury-hit campaign. NEXT HOME: NLRC, Sun Sept 30 (2.30pm)
POOLE "Our league meetings against Somerset this season have largely been tight affairs both home and away, so I really don't think the bookies can split the two teams." Pirates promoter Matt Ford is expecting a close contest against rivals Somerset when they meet in the play-off semi-finals, starting at the Oaktree Arena next week. NEXT HOME: Somerset (POSF), Mon Oct 1 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset (POSF), Mon Sept 17 (7.30)
SOMERSET "It was good out there, a fabulous meeting and great advertisement for speedway. We took a point out of it, ran them very close - not close enough from a Swindon point of view - but everyone seems to have had a good night. It has been a good taster for the KO Cup when we come back here again." Rebels boss Garry May wasn't too disappointed with a last-heat defeat at Belle Vue, especially with No.1 Jason Doyle emerging unscathed from a heavy Heat 15 crash. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue (KOC), Wed Sept 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue (KOC), Wed Sept 19 (7.30)
SWINDON "There were a lot of questions asked about us after last week, and we had a chat beforehand and I couldn't have asked for any more effort from the team. They gave it 120 per cent." Boss Alun Rossiter praised his team after they recorded a 48-42 win over King's Lynn in the first leg of their KO Cup semi-final, giving them a chance heading to Norfolk next Monday. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Thur Sept 20 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn (KOC), Mon Sept 17 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "It's a shame we couldn't finish off with a better score, but it is what it is and we already now have one eye on next season." Boss Peter Adams says forward planning for 2019 has started after Wolves' play-off hopes were mathematically extinguished with defeats to King's Lynn and then at Poole last week. NEXT HOME: NGK Spark Plugs Olympique, Mon Oct 15 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "We really proved we want to go out with a bang tonight and gave Peterborough something to really get their teeth into. Five of our guys took at least one win, and the other two rode so hard." Bandits promoter Scott Courtney couldn't fault his side's effort in a 43-47 defeat at the East of England Arena on Sunday, as their play-off chances receeded. NEXT HOME: Stars of Tomorrow/British Youth Championship, Sat Sept 15 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Sept 14 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "The track was quite difficult to begin with but I'm delighted with my performance. I managed seven rides and I feel fit enough. In these conditions riders make mistakes and you can pass. If you get in the corner right then it's OK." Recently returned Monarchs star William Lawson enjoyed the best meeting since his comeback with a double-figure haul in last Friday's home win over Lakeside. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Fri Sept 14 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Tues Sept 11 (7.30)
GLASGOW "We haven't got the best home advantage because everyone loves riding Glasgow - so it makes our jobs a bit harder. The owners made the track changes because they wanted more entertainment and more racing, and now they've got that with the scoring always being close." Tigers star Chris Harris is enjoying being a thrill-maker at Ashfield as the Tigers continue to fight hard for a place in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Tues Sept 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur Sept 13 (7.30)
IPSWICH "The track initially was fine and both teams were more than willing to give it a go, even through the persistent rain in Heats 3 and 4. They carried on and (referee) Christina Turnbull did all she could do and I have no complaints. In the end it poured down and we couldn't go on." Promoter Chris Louis had no issues with the abandonment of last Thursday's Foxhall clash with Berwick, who will now return to Suffolk for the re-arrangement next Saturday. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Thur Sept 13 (7.30)
LAKESIDE "It's a fitting way for us to say farewell to the venue which has seen plenty of drama down the years and I'm sure a few tears will be shed. Leigh was always keen to do it and I know there will be a lot of people wanting to be there for one last visit to the Raceway before we make the move to Rye House." Hammers boss Jon Cook has confirmed club legend Leigh Lanham will race the final laps of the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday before they make a rapid switch to complete their home fixtures at Rye House. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Fri Sept 14 (8pm) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough (KOC), Sun Sept 23 (7pm)
NEWCASTLE "We lost Matej in his first race and had our No.1 (Ludvig Lindgren) snap three chains. We really have to despair and wonder how well we could have beaten Scunthorpe had our nightmare luck been decent instead. The determination was there, but fate turned against us." Diamonds boss George English couldn't believe his side's misfortune as Scunthorpe recorded a 46-42 win at Brough Park on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Workington + British 150cc Final, Sun Sept 16 (5.30) NEXT AWAY: Lakeside (at Rye House), Sat Sept 15 (7pm)
PETERBOROUGH "It's dreadful to lose the two boys to injury, and our thoughts are very much with them. But now is the time for the rest of the team to dig deep and make sure we still achieve what we set out to do, and I'm sure they'll be determined to do just that." Panthers co-promoter Ged Rathbone rallies his table-topping side to keep on going despite the losses of No.1 Scott Nicholls (ankle) and key reserve Tom Bacon (back) in crashes over the last week. NEXT HOME: Lakeside (KOC), Sun Sept 23 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham (Ch), Wed Sept 12 (7.30)
REDCAR The Bears completed their Championship campaign by taking a point at Workington on Saturday, 24 hours after officially avoiding the wooden spoon by defeating Sheffield at the Media Prima Arena. NEXT HOME: Teesside Silver Helmet, Thur Sept 20 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "We got ourselves back in it, with Jake and Josh again doing it in the final race. Those two are on fire and are awesome. In that last race, they just showed why you should never give up. Around a track like Scunthorpe, which has plenty of room and is fast, if you keep on piling on the pressure, there's always a chance that the opposition will eventually fold and you'll get through and that's what they did." Scorpions reserve Gino Manzares paid tribute to Jake Allen and Josh Auty for their Heat 15 heroics to draw the first leg of their Championship Shield semi-final against Workington. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: TBC
WORKINGTON "Naturally the riders were suffering from tiredness in the second match; especially as we were using rider replacement, which is never ideal for a double-header, but we kept it together against a competitive Redcar side to get over the line and take the six match points available from the night." Six out of six for the Comets at Derwent Park last Saturday with wins over Newcastle and Redcar, and boss Tony Jackson knows they are close to securing a play-off place. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Fri Sept 14 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun Sept 16 (5.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE COLTS "On the whole it's been an exceptional season and we couldn't be prouder of this team. We knew it was going to be tough at Kent but the boys certainly did not disgrace themselves." Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin knows his side are now unlikely to be able to defend their league title in the play-offs, but still believes the club's second team have enjoyed a positive campaign. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall (KOC), Fri Sept 14 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM "We had so much bad luck as well; we had Leon (Flint) winning Heat 3 before he hit something on the track and came off, Jordan Jenkins packed up on the last lap when we were on a 5-1, Ben Morley was caught out by the track then lost his steel shoe when he was challenging for first - I don't know how many more times I have to say it but if we didn't have bad luck we wouldn't have any luck at all." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers reflects on a rough weekend for his side, with Tom Bacon's serious crash at Mildenhall and then defeat against play-off rivals Coventry at Leicester the next day. NEXT HOME: Peterborough Select, Wed Sept 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Buxton, Sun Sept 16 (3pm)
BUXTON "Five matches have all been affected by the weather and time is running out fast. Two double headers on successive weeks are not ideal but we have done our best to get the meetings on in time and hopefully the weather will be on our side." Hitmen promoter Jayne Moss pledges to do everything possible to deal with a fixture pile-up, with play-off chasing rivals Birmingham and Coventry now both visiting Hi-Edge on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Birmingham + Coventry, Sun Sept 16 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: TBC
COVENTRY "We've done what we needed to do, it's as simple as that. The need was for six points, and we've achieved that. Two meetings in one day takes a lot to keep your machinery right and to keep yourself physically and mentally prepared, and we did enough." Bees boss Martyn Macdonald said it was very much "˜job done' as his side kept up their push for the play-offs with wins in a double-header against Birmingham and Stoke. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: Buxton, Sun Sept 16 (5pm)
EASTBOURNE The Eagles were frustrated by the weather at both Stoke and Buxton last weekend and now move on to a vital home double-header against the Potters and the Isle of Wight at Arlington on Saturday. NEXT HOME: Stoke + Isle of Wight, Sat Sept 15 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Kent (KOC), Mon Sept 24 (6.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "We came here expecting a very tough night and got one. The Colts boys are really quick round here and deserved their win and whilst we kept plugging away we had to give second best and we must now prepare to finish our fixtures at Eastbourne." Warriors promoter Barry Bishop felt last Friday's defeat at Belle Vue was no major surprise, and is now hoping for a good finish at Arlington this weekend. NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Sept 15 (8.30)
KENT The Kings got back to winning ways by defeating Belle Vue 53-36 at Central Park to remain in control of a play-off place, despite the injury withdrawal of No.1 Paul Hurry. NEXT HOME: Lakeside Select, Mon Sept 17 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne (KOC) Sat Sept 29 (7.30)
MILDENHALL "Our thoughts are with Tom and Sam, no one likes to see any rider injured and we send our very best wishes to both boys for a full recovery. We are lucky at Mildenhall to have a fantastic team of paramedics led by Jason Gillingham and once again tonight they were first class." The Fen Tigers' eagerly-awaited home clash with Birmingham was abandoned due to serious crashes involving Tom Bacon and Sam Woods, with promoter Kevin Jolly sending best wishes to both riders. NEXT HOME: Cradley (NT F), Sun Sept 16 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Cradley (NT F), Tues Sept 11 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH "I am so proud of all the boys that have worn the Devils race bib this season. If it wasn't for the dreaded injuries we have picked up we would be looking forward to the play-offs I am sure." Devils boss Matt Bates accepts his side's top four hopes were effectively ended by last Friday's home defeat to Birmingham, avenging a Plymouth win at Perry Barr earlier in the summer. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Fri Sept 14 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Sept 22 (7pm)
STOKE "It was a tricky track and it wasn't easy but I'm pleased with all the boys as they contributed to getting something here. Today we had three heat-leaders doing heat-leader jobs at the end of the day and it was good." Potters skipper Max Clegg praised his side for their efforts in gaining a league point from their away match against Coventry on Sunday, with Clegg himself scoring 16 points. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sat Sept 22 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri Sept 14 (7.15)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 1st leg: Cradley v Mildenhall 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Belle Vue 7.30 INTER-LEAGUE CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Peterborough Select 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13: CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Glasgow 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Lakeside v Glasgow 8pm, Workington v Peterborough 7.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Stoke 7.15 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15: CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Berwick 7.30, Lakeside v Newcastle (at Rye House) 7pm, Lakeside v Peterborough (at Rye House) (follows previous fixture) TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Stoke 7pm, Eastbourne v Isle of Wight (follows previous fixture) NO LIMITS STARS OF TOMORROW also including BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (500cc/250cc): Berwick 6.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Workington 5.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm, Buxton v Coventry (follows previous fixture) NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Cradley 3pm BRITISH 150cc FINAL: Newcastle (follows Championship fixture)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Somerset v Poole 7.30 PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Swindon 7.30 CHALLENGE: Kent v Lakeside Select 6.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Somerset 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20: PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30 TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 7.30, Stoke v Plymouth 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st leg: Lakeside v Peterborough (at Rye House) 2pm, 2nd leg: Peterborough v Lakeside 7pm TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Plymouth 3pm, Buxton v Kent (follows previous fixture)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24: PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F 1st leg: Belle Vue v King's Lynn 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Kent v Eastbourne 7.30