HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Great Britain duo Tai Woffinden and Craig Cook racing to victory in the Speedway of Nations Race-Off 2 at Belle Vue on Saturday. Picture: IAN CHARLES
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It was a wake-up call for us, no doubt about it. We had fantastic momentum in the opening stages and we're more than capable of carrying that through to the end of the meeting." Aces star Steve Worrall says the side must learn from their recent home draw with Poole, where they let a 16-point lead slip as the visitors recorded a series of late 5-1s. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Thur May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon May 27 (7.30)
IPSWICH "Jake (Allen) got three wins and was superb but the ride of the night for me was by Cam (Heeps) when he got a 5-1 with Krystian (Pieszczek) and he rode the most mature ride I have ever seen from him to get the 5-1, it was a superb race by him." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins praised his flying reserves after their impressive Premiership away win at Peterborough on Monday. NEXT HOME: Poole (PSC), Thur May 16 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon June 4 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "Wolves are a good side and later on in the meetings they come on strong. We're working hard and working well as a team though, and we've still got bigger and better things to come." Stars man Ty Proctor says they won't be pressing the panic button after a 51-39 defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday. NEXT HOME: Poole (PSC), Mon May 20 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Thur May 16 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "It was embarrassing. We didn't start well enough, we didn't ride well enough and we got what we deserved in the end. The riders who performed have been doing it in the last couple of meetings, and the riders that have struggled again are the same ones, and it's getting too often." Panthers boss Carl Johnson pulled no punches after seeing his side slip to a disappointing home defeat against Ipswich on Monday. NEXT HOME: Poole, Thur May 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Thur May 30 (7.30)
POOLE "Losing Brady Kurtz to injury was always going to be a huge blow as he is in wonderful form currently. But is there a more reliable guest that Scott Nicholls? I don't think so and he was superb again last night." Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford paid tribute to former British Champion Scott Nicholls, who was involved in a match-winning 5-1 in Heat 15 against Ipswich last week. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Mon May 27 (11.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich (PSC), Thur May 16 (7.30)
SWINDON "We have had so much positivity about the new track and everything the club have been doing we cannot risk undoing that. The track is still bedding in and I don't want to risk an unsatisfactory situation on a damp, wet and cold evening which will go against all the good work put in." Robins owner Terry Russell explains the early postponement of last week's Cup clash with King's Lynn due to poor weather at the Abbey. NEXT HOME: Poole, Mon May 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon May 20 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "When you're required you've got to go out and do it, haven't you? Of late we've been allowing teams to stay in the hunt but again we've dug deep to get over the line." Skipper Rory Schlein contributed 16 point as Wolves saw off the challenge of his former club King's Lynn with a 51-39 win on Monday. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Mon May 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Mon May 20 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "We've been a tad lucky that our fixture list wasn't congested when we lost Jye. We've got doubts over Coty now, we've got to assess that pretty sharpish." Bandits boss Gary Flint expects Jye Etheridge to return from injury against Sheffield this weekend, but they are awaiting news on Coty Garcia after a recent crash. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Sat May 18 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Sun May 19 (4pm)
BIRMINGHAM "The main issue from our point of view is that it means there is currently no electricity to the infield and pits area which is obviously essential to us to run a speedway meeting. While the matter is still being looked at, they cannot guarantee that the issue will be fixed." Brummies co-owner David Mason explains the postponement of this week's KO Cup tie with Eastbourne due to a power outage at Perry Barr. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Wed May 22 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat May 25 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE The Eagles are building up to a big weekend double against Glasgow with the two sides meeting twice in the space of 24 hours at opposite ends of the UK "“ with the Sussex side needing to bounce back from their recent home defeat to Leicester. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Sat May 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri May 17 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "Big mention to Luke Ruddick, he rode a very good match and beat some accomplished riders. He gives it a crack, that's what I like to see." Monarchs reserve Ricky Wells praised the club's least experienced Championship rider who scored paid-10 in last week's demolition of Scunthorpe to move into the KO Cup quarter-finals. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed May 22 (7.30)
GLASGOW Tigers No.1 Craig Cook scored another 15-point maximum in the draw at Sheffield last weekend which makes the Ashfield side favourites to progress from their KO Cup tie. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Fri May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat May 18 (7.30)
LEICESTER "The guests have been fantastic for us but you always want your own team out on-track. We've taken a few bumps and batterings over the weekend (against Eastbourne) plus of course Ryan (Douglas) has had a couple of spills." Lions boss Stewart Dickson says their current break from Championship action has come at a good time, as they prepare for this weekend's mini Northern tour. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sat May 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri May 17 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE The Diamonds saw their away match at Scunthorpe rained-off last weekend and now return to Brough Park after a two-week break when they take on in-form Leicester this Sunday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sun May 19 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Berwick (KOC), Sat June 1 (7pm)
REDCAR The Bears defend a 17-point lead in the KO Cup at Somerset this week after a 53-36 win in the first leg at the Media Prima Arena last Friday. NEXT HOME: Julie Lewis Memorial, Fri May 24 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset (KOC), Wed May 15 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "If there are any positives to take from the meeting, it was the form shown by Danny (Ayres) and Ryan Kinsley. Danny fell in Heat 1, as the track was catching out a few of the riders early on, but then took two superb race wins, while Ryan was getting the hang of the track more-and-more with each outing." Scorpions manager Dave Peet managed to find a couple of bright spots from a thumping 23-67 defeat at Edinburgh which ended their KO Cup interest for another season. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Fri May 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Sat May 25 (7pm)
SOMERSET "We need to have everyone scoring to their full potential and that wasn't the case here tonight. We have given ourselves an awful lot to do now to try and pull this tie back, but it would be wrong for me not to mention the performance of Jordan Stewart for them. He was simply well on it all night and certainly proved to be the match winner." Rebels boss Garry May had praise for a member of the opposition after seeing his side give themselves a 17-point deficit to pull back against Redcar in the KO Cup. NEXT HOME: Redcar (KOC), Wed May 15 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri May 17 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "We have guys who ride Ashfield just as good as anyone and I believe with a bit of luck on our side, we can get the result we need to go through." Tigers boss Simon Stead is staying positive over the Tigers' KO Cup chances despite them being held to a home draw by Glasgow in the first leg last Sunday. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun May 19 (4pm) NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat May 18 (7pm)
NATIONAL DEVELPOPMENT LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "It's been a really good start for the team. The home win over Stoke was bigger than expected and it was a decent effort at Kent considering the lack of experience the younger lads had at that track. Losing by 13 points there isn't the end of the world." Colts heat-leader Danny Phillips says the signs are good for another strong season as they look to regain the National League title the club won back in 2017. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Thur May 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat May 18 (7.30)
CRADLEY "Luke (Harris) fully deserved his place in Heat 15 with the way he rode and it was really encouraging to see our two young reserves chipping in and scoring paid 14 between them." Heathens boss Will Pottinger was delighted to see his heat-leaders receive strong support during the 49-41 KO Cup win at the Isle of Wight last week. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight (KOC), Mon May 20 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri May 31 (7.15)
ISLE OF WIGHT "We gave up too many points when we were in scoring positions. The combination of falls, engine failures and disqualifications was just too much to manage, however I am pleased that the boys kept plugging away and it was great to see Chris Widman back in the points not to mention the non-stop commitment of Danno Verge especially after his crash." Warriors co-promoter Barry Bishop had no complaints over the effort of his side as they went down to a first-leg KO Cup defeat to Cradley last Thursday. NEXT HOME: Solent Three Team Trophy, Thur May 16 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Cradley (KOC), Mon May 20 (7.30)
KENT "I knew where he [Wilson] was riding and where there would be space "“ but I must admit I did flinch as I went for it!" Kings' No.1 Drew Kemp with a modest description of a thrilling overtake of Plymouth's Ben Wilson which helped secure a 15-point maximum in Monday's win over the Gladiators. NEXT HOME: Wimbledon Select (Ch), Mon May 20 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun May 19 (3pm)
LEICESTER "Ellis (Perks) certainly powered on well and stamped his authority. If he keeps riding like that he will finish with the season with the biggest average in the league. The biggest surprise for me was Luke Ruddick, he was good here for Coventry last season but showed some top guys the way around Leicester." Lion Cubs co-boss Dave Darcy felt there were many encouraging signs from an opening 55-34 win over Mildenhall to give his side control of their KO Cup tie at the halfway stage. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Sat May 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall (KOC), Sun May 26 (3pm)
MILDENHALL "We are not out of this tie, but it will require a big performance now in the second leg and a 21-point defeat will take some pulling back. We now need to regroup and move on as we face two important National Trophy ties this week." Fen Tigers boss Malcolm Vasey was disappointed with the defeat at Leicester on Sunday which leaves his side a tough challenge to make progress in the KO Cup. NEXT HOME: Kent (NT), Sun May 19 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth (NT), Fri May 17 (7.15)
PLYMOUTH The Gladiators have Richard Andrews and Scott Campos back from recent injury lay-offs, with Andrews scoring an impressive 12 points in Monday's National Trophy defeat at Kent. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall (NT), Fri May 17 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Thur May 23 (7.30)
STOKE "Our two reserves are not fully race fit yet as they haven't had many meetings and it's a shame they just got caught out. Corban (Pavitt), Joe (Alcock) and Shelby (Rutherford) are all improving and there is plenty to come from them." Potters skipper Tom Perry is backing the club's lower-order to come good with more meetings under their belt, after the narrow defeat to Kent at Loomer Road last weekend. NEXT HOME: Buxton/Crewe (3TT), Sat May 25 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight, Thur May 23 (7pm)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY MAY 15: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Somerset v Redcar 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 16: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v King's Lynn 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: Ipswich v Poole 7.30 SOLENT THREE TEAM TROPHY: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 17: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Leicester 7.30, Glasgow v Eastbourne 7.30, Scunthorpe v Somerset 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Mildenhall 7.15 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough 7pm
SATURDAY MAY 18: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Sheffield 7pm, Eastbourne v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 19: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Leicester 6.30, Sheffield v Berwick 4pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3pm
MONDAY MAY 20: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30, Ipswich v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: King's Lynn v Poole 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Cradley v Isle of Wight 7.30 CHALLENGE: Kent v Wimbledon Select 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 22: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Edinburgh 7.30, Somerset v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 23: PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Poole 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Plymouth 7.30, Isle of Wight v Stoke 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 24: CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.15 JULIE LEWIS MEMORIAL: Redcar 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 25: CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Berwick 7.30, Glasgow v Scunthorpe 7pm, Leicester v Birmingham 7.30 3TT: Stoke v Buxton v Crewe 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 26: NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Mildenhall v Leicester 3pm
MONDAY MAY 27: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, Peterborough v King's Lynn 5pm, Poole v Swindon 11.30, Swindon v Poole 7.30, Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 8pm NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Mildenhall 4pm
WEDNESDAY MAY 29: CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset v Scunthorpe 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Birmingham v Eastbourne 7.30 (provisional)