HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Redcar's Erik Riss celebrates on top of the podium ahead of Danny King and Ryan Douglas after winning the Championship Riders Individual meeting at Sheffield on Sunday. Picture: ANDY GARNER
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "This is the last league match, and the last roll of the dice for us. There are so many permutations surrounding the remaining available play off places and an away win is our only focus." Aces boss Mark Lemon knows a win at Peterborough on Thursday is the only realistic option if his side are going to be able to extend their season in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Swindon (PSC Final), Thur Sept 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Thur Sept 5 (7.30)
IPSWICH "Every single rider will need to put in a performance on Thursday, not three or four ride well and leave the others to do the work. Every single of one of them needs to do their job. If we can do that, we can pull off a victory and we are quite capable of beating anyone." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins knows it's crunch time now with his side facing in-form Swindon on Thursday and desperate not to drop out of the play-off reckoning right at the end of the season. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Thur Sept 5 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Mon Sept 16 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "We've thrown the kitchen sink at them with what we had, we still scored more points than Poole did here a week ago and it has been a really tough night for everyone involved "“ but I couldn't ask for too much more at the same time to be honest." A tough night for Dale Allitt on his return as Stars boss with defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday meaning the Stars are now clear outsiders for a play-off place. NEXT HOME: Poole, Mon Sept 9 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Thur Sept 12 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "It's frustrating again to be without riders, but there's nothing we can do about it. The suspension for Scott after missing Sheffield on Sunday is an automatic one, like when a rider misses a meeting due to illness "“ it's just a shame that it's us who suffer for it." More problems for Panthers boss Carl Johnson, who will be without Charles Wright (concussion) and Scott Nicholls (suspended) for Thursday's return to home action against Belle Vue. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue, Thur Sept 5 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (PSC), TBC
POOLE The Pirates have three home matches remaining this season, starting against Wolverhampton on Thursday, and they also visit King's Lynn next week as they look to secure top spot in the table ahead of the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur Sept 5 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Mon Sept 9 (7.30)
SWINDON "The team spirit is sky-high, confidence is high and we're loving riding our home track at the moment. You can say teams are poor, but I think you have to go the other way and say we're good. That's not being big-headed or cocky, but you have to give our boys some credit." Massive scores of 66 and 65 in their last two home matches have left Alun Rossiter's side full of confidence as they go into a spell which will define their trophy chances this season. NEXT HOME: Belle Vue (PSC Final), Thur Sept 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur Sept 5 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "That fixture is now going to be huge for the club. Monday's victory was important and we now have a good chance of making the play-offs which didn't seem likely in May or June." The date has been set for Wolves' trip to Peterborough, which will take place on September 17 and could have massive play-off implications for Peter Adams' side. NEXT HOME: Peterborough (PSC), TBC NEXT AWAY: Poole, Thur Sept 5 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "Tomas had an eventful night, taking two expert wins in his nine points and took a hefty fall in his fourth race, but recovered well and tells us he loves everything about being a Bandit!" Boss Gary Flint was pleased with the debut display of Swedish star Tomas H Jonasson in Saturday's home win over Newcastle. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh + Glasgow, Sat Sept 7 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri Sept 6 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM "Adam rode brilliantly in the Riders' Championship at Sheffield on Sunday and he's been brilliant since we bought him back to the club earlier in the season." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers praises Adam Ellis who has provided a bright spark for the club in what has proved a tough return to Championship-level racing in 2019. NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Wed Sept 4 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat Sep 28 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "We will support him fully in making the right decision for his long-term health and well-being and monitor week by week." Eagles director Ian Jordan confirms reserve Alfie Bowtell could yet return to racing this season "“ whilst also revealing that Edward Kennett is winning his fitness race ahead of the KO Cup semi-final clashes with Redcar this weekend. NEXT HOME: Redcar (KOC), Sat Sept 7 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar (KOC), Fri Sept 6 (7.30)
EDINBURGH The Monarchs face two vital clashes with Somerset this week, with major points required if they are to mount a late charge to remove the Rebels from the play-off places. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Fri Sept 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed Sept 4 (7.30)
GLASGOW "We had a meeting in the dressing room afterwards and I was happy to say that out of the negative came a positive - and the resounding message was that we are never giving in. The good thing is that I don't think we can ride as badly as we did tonight again." Tigers boss Cami Brown looks on the bright side after a shock 37-53 home defeat to Scunthorpe leaves them with a tough task on their hands to finish top of the table ahead of the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Fri Sept 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat Sept 7 (d/header)
LEICESTER "We've now finished our league programme and we just have to hope the boys come through their Premiership or National League meetings unscathed before we go back into competitive action. Two weeks is going to feel like a long time, because the way we're racing at the moment you want to continue." Stewart Dickson's side won at Scunthorpe last Friday to complete their regular league programme on 50 points "“ which may prove to be enough to secure top spot and choice of semi-final opponents in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne (CS Final), Sun Sept 15 (5pm) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne (CS Final), Sat Sept 14 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE "After going down here by six last time, and keeping it tight in the first few races, I think we all feel we deserve at least one league point, but with Ulrich (Ostergaard) down on his usual Berwick form, as was Matty Wethers who was so frustrated with his races, that points were lost where we hadn't expected to lose them." More frustration on the road for Diamonds boss George English, whose side went down to a 53-34 defeat at Berwick on Saturday. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sun Sept 8 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Wed Sept 4 (7.30) (prov)
REDCAR "This promises to be a very close encounter with the Bears being in form, but we will be looking for a good lead to take with us on our away leg, as Eastbourne do have a very good home track advantage." Bears boss Jade Mudgway is expecting a tense battle with Eastbourne this weekend as the sides battle for a place in the KO Cup Final. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne (KOC), Fri Sept 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Sun Sept 8 (5pm)
SCUNTHORPE "It is a big bonus having Simon Lambert scoring so many points down at reserve. He is enjoying his speedway with us and he gets on well with the rest of the lads. Simon is also relishing taking the extra rides, which he's had to do, ever since poor Danny Ayres got injured." Scorpions boss Dave Peet praises the form of high-scoring reserve Simon Lambert, who was to the fore again in last weekend's remarkable away win at Glasgow. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Sun Sept 8 (5pm) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed Sept 4 (7.30)
SOMERSET "We just want to cement our place in the top four. All the while the other teams have a chance to catch us we cannot afford to take anything for granted but I know that Gazza [Garry May] and the lads are determined to get us into the play-offs." Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock wants to get the job done in terms of Championship play-off qualification as soon as possible. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Wed Sept 4 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Sept 6 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "We've taken a lot of criticism for getting rid of Drew (Kemp) in the past few days but I think Broc's performance tonight proved that what we did was right. We have an obligation to the Sheffield supporters and to the league to fight until it's mathematically impossible." Tigers boss Simon Stead saw the returning Broc Nicol pile up 17 points at Eastbourne on Saturday "“ but a 46-44 defeat in a last-heat decider was no real assistance to their play-off chances. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Wed Sept 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri Sept 13 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "I think Mildenhall were just caught out by the rain. They are a good side but we were the stronger on the night and I don't see why we can't carry this through into the play offs and the KOC." Colts star Leon Flint raced to a 15-point maximum against Mildenhall on Monday as the Manchester side kept up their strong challenge for honours this season. NEXT HOME: Cradley (KOC), Wed Sept 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri Sept 13 (7.15)
CRADLEY "Of course we're disappointed but like Belle Vue, Leicester are a strong team. We've still got a couple of meetings left and we need to give it our best to try and get as many league points as we can." Heathens skipper Max Clegg says his side can still bounce back from two heavy away defeats and reach the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Kent, Mon Sept 9 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri Sept 6 (7.15)
ISLE OF WIGHT "Whether this will be our final meeting of 2019 depends on how the play-off picture unfolds. The three teams chasing us have some tricky fixtures to negotiate and we might even be looking at race points difference in the end nevertheless we will go to Leicester next week full of confidence and our riders are committed to putting up the best show possible." The Warriors host a three-team tournament this Thursday, but club boss Barry Bishop knows a place in the National League play-offs is still a possibility. NEXT HOME: Wightlink Showdown 3TT, Thur Sept 5 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Tue Sept 10 (7.30)
KENT The Kings were beaten 51-39 at Leicester on Saturday but are still very well placed for play-off qualification ahead of their trip to Cradley next Monday. NEXT HOME: Sussex Select, Mon Sept 16 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Cradley, Mon Sept 9 (7.30)
LEICESTER "I got caught out a bit in my second ride with it being so greasy after the rain but I managed to get a few more wins after that which was great. I'm really getting back to enjoying my racing again now and it's great getting more track time." Lion Cubs youngster Joe Thompson enjoyed his best performance since returning from concussion with 12+1 in the victory over Cradley on Tuesday. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Sat Sept 7 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Sept 14 (7pm)
MILDENHALL "It is very hard to have any complaints about the lads tonight, they battled for the whole evening under difficult circumstances and without the help I would have hoped for from the referee on a most difficult track." Fen Tigers boss Malcolm Vasey will urge his side to re-group quickly after double defeat to Belle Vue put their play-off place in jeopardy ahead of the run-in. NEXT HOME: Plymouth Sun Sept 8 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat Sept 7 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH "Tom has taken a few years away from the sport but is raring to go and has looked very quick during a recent practice at the Coliseum." Promoter Mark Phillips is pleased to hand Tom Young a route back into the sport with a team place for the Gladiators after a six-year absence from racing. NEXT HOME: Cradley, Fri Sept 6 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Sept 7 (7pm)
STOKE "I'm a little gutted that we didn't win tonight and perhaps we may have thought we were going to walk away with it and made the mistake of under-estimating the Isle of Wight, but everyone has worked hard and chipped in and we can't really complain if I'm being honest as we win, draw or lose as a team." Potters star Joe Lawlor accepted that a 45-45 home draw against the Isle of Wight was a fair result for both teams. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Sat Sept 7 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester (KOC), TBC
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Scunthorpe 7.30, Somerset v Edinburgh 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Swindon 7.30, Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30 WIGHTLINK SHOWDOWN 3TT: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Glasgow v Berwick 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Redcar v Eastbourne 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Cradley 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Edinburgh 6.30, Berwick v Glasgow (follows previous fixture) CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Eastbourne v Redcar 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Mildenhall 7.30, Stoke v Plymouth 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Redcar 5pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Poole 7.30, Peterborough v Swindon 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Kent 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Newcastle 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Isle of Wight 7.30
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Berwick 7.30, Sheffield v Newcastle 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v King's Lynn 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP FINAL 1st leg: Belle Vue v Swindon 7.30
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Redcar v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Belle Vue 7.15
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14: CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Sheffield 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL 1st leg: Eastbourne v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Leicester 7pm
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30 CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Eastbourne 5pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Swindon 7.30, Poole v Ipswich 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Cradley v Belle Vue 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17: PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30
