HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Eastbourne cemented their reputation as National League KO Cup kings by overturning Mildenhall at Arlington on Saturday. The Eagles clinched their fourth successive KO Cup triumph with a 58-32 home win having gone into the second leg facing a 14-point deficit. Picture: MIKE HINVES
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
KING'S LYNN "Our 2018 journey has been well considered and executed and it would be a fitting to end the season to win this trophy. I can't thank our fans enough for their incredible support on Wednesday and with their continued support I believe that we can deliver this victory." Stars co-promoter Robin Brundle is looking to the KO Cup to deliver consolation after their Premiership Grand Final defeat at the hands of Poole last week. NEXT HOME: Somerset (KOC Final), Thurs Oct 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset (KOC Final), Wed Oct 17 (7.30)
POOLE "The way the boys have performed to take us from bottom to winning the title in just a few months is nothing short of astounding. I couldn't be prouder of everyone associated with the club and this title feels equally as sweet as all the others since I have been involved at the club." Pirates promoter Matt Ford savours the eighth top-flight title of his time in charge at Wimborne Road following victory over King's Lynn in the Grand Final.
SOMERSET "Obviously you would have liked to have your own declared side in action for you every match but sadly, due to injuries and whatnot speedway doesn't always work like that. But with Starkey (Paul Starke) and Wrighty (Charles Wright) back in Rebels clothing again and Bomber (Chris Harris) too, who I came very close to signing this season, I feel we have the next best." Rebels boss Garry May has been busy booking guests for the KO Cup Final with Jack Holder, Bradley Wilson-Dean and Aaron Summers all on the sidelines NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (KOC Final), Wed Oct 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn (KOC Final), Thur Oct 18 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "It's been a hectic morning trying to make this happen and I'm so pleased to have been able to pull it off. It's a great opportunity for riders to showcase themselves for next season." Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten has successfully re-arranged the NGK Spark Plugs Olympique for next Monday after constant rain caused an early postponement this week. NEXT HOME: NGK Spark Plugs Olympique, Mon Oct 22 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
GLASGOW "We tried really hard right to the last race, but we're absolutely gutted as a club and as a management. To lose by a single point is hard at the best of times, but in a league play-off semi-final it's hard to take." Boss Cami Brown sums up the mood in the Tigers' camp after the narrowest of aggregate defeats, 90-89 to Workington, ended their season one step short of the Championship Grand Final.
LAKESIDE "To make the Final will be a massive achievement against the backdrop of everything that's been thrown at us off track all year but Will (Pottinger) and the boys will be anything but complacent. But we're such a dangerous side when we're at full strength; a win or draw and we're in and that's the sole focus." The Hammers still have the chance for a league and Championship Shield double, and are well-placed at the halfway stage of their play-off semi-final against Peterborough. NEXT HOME: Workington (CS Final), Fri Oct 19 (8pm) NEXT AWAY: Workington (CS Final), Sat Oct 20 (6.30)
PETERBOROUGH We're not over and out just yet. We go to Rye House and we want to win, we want to be back at home whenever it will be. It's only two points, so there's no reason why we can't do it. I'm so proud to be captain of the club and I'll be doing all I can." Panthers skipper Simon Lambert says the determination is still high to stage a turnaround in the Championship play-off semi-finals by defeating Lakeside at Rye House. NEXT HOME: NEXT AWAY: Lakeside (PO SF), Sun Oct 21 (TBC)
SCUNTHORPE "The Cup Final will be our final two meetings of the season, and we've not won anything as yet. But, hopefully, we can give the fans who have stuck by us throughout the season something to celebrate." Scorpions star Jake Allen believes the Scorpions can complete a tough season by getting the better of Workington in the KO Cup Final, if they can build a first leg lead at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Workington (KOC Final), Sun Oct 21 (5pm) NEXT AWAY: Workington (KOC Final), TBC
WORKINGTON "That's the second successive home fixture where we have gone to the very last race of the semi-final to reach a final, and while it is not good for the nerves it is certainly fantastic entertainment for the supporters!" The Comets were taken to the wire by Glasgow in the Championship play-offs but boss Tony Jackson can now prepare his side for three Finals over the closing fortnight of the season. NEXT HOME: Lakeside (CS Final), Sat Oct 20 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Lakeside (CS Final), Fri Oct 19 (8pm)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BIRMINGHAM "It's going to be a great meeting with a different format to round off the year and hopefully it's going to appeal to all supporters across the Midlands because the winter is very long without speedway." Brummies promoter David Mason looks ahead to the final track action of 2018 at Perry Barr when the club stage a special three-team tournament. NEXT HOME: Heathens Select/Wolves Select (3TT), Wed Oct 17 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Buxton, Sun Oct 21 (3pm)
BUXTON "It's great to see Corban Pavitt is okay to return after the nasty looking crash last week as he was in good form, and Lewis (Whitmore) rode well last week and hopefully he has got some confidence from the meeting and can reproduce that form." Hitmen boss Joshua Moss hopes two of the youngsters in the Hitmen team can continue their improvement when Birmingham visit Hi-Edge. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sun Oct 21 (3pm)
COVENTRY "We just need to go into these meetings all guns blazing, and put everything into it. This isn't about three or four league points, it's about winning on aggregate and that would turn what's already a really good season into an even better one." Bees boss Martyn Macdonald says his side has nothing to lose when their re-arranged play-off semi-final against Eastbourne finally takes place this week. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne (POSF), Sat Oct 20 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne (POSF), Wed Oct 17 (8pm)
EASTBOURNE "The boys were incredible tonight. I knew we could do it. There is a strong belief in our team and we seem to work well under pressure. It was an unbelievable team performance, as it was last night." Eagles skipper Mark Baseby hails his side after getting the better of favourites Mildenhall over two legs in the KO Cup Final last weekend. NEXT HOME: Coventry (POSF), Wed Oct 17 (8pm) NEXT AWAY: Coventry (POSF), Sat Oct 20 (6.30)
MILDENHALL The Fen Tigers have to re-group for the National League Grand Final after missing out to Eastbourne in the KO Cup Final with both Sam Bebee and Jordan Jenkins picking up injuries in the second leg at Arlington. NEXT HOME: Coventry/Eastbourne (NL Grand Final), TBC NEXT AWAY: Coventry/Eastbourne (NL Grand Final), TBC
PLYMOUTH The Devils have one away fixture to come to wrap up the 2018 season as they visit Stoke on Saturday. NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Oct 20 (7pm)
STOKE The Potters complete their 2018 league campaign with the visit of Plymouth on Saturday followed by a re-arranged home clash with Eastbourne next Wednesday (Oct 24) NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sat Oct 20 (7pm)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v King's Lynn 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Eastbourne v Coventry 8pm THREE TEAM TOURNAMENT: Birmingham v Heathens Select v Wolves Select 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19: CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL 1st leg: Lakeside v Workington 8pm (at Rye House)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20: CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Lakeside 6.30 (prov) CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington v Lakeside (follows previous fixture) (prov) NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Coventry v Eastbourne 6.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Plymouth 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Lakeside v Peterborough (at Rye House) Time TBC (TBC) CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Workington 5pm NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg OR TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 7.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm BRITISH 125cc FINAL: Scunthorpe (follows KO Cup fixture)
MONDAY OCTOBER 22: NGK SPARK PLUGS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Eastbourne 7pm
FRIDAY OCTOBER 26: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 8pm (prov)