BRITISH SPEEDWAY JULY 16, 2025

(SPEEDWAY 1)

NICHOLLS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL

SEVEN-TIMES British Champion Scott Nicholls will make his comeback from long-term injury this week as part of a team re-structure at Plymouth.
The 47-year-old Nicholls has been out of action since last October when he suffered serious shoulder damage in a crash at Oxford, ruling him out of the Cheetahs’ plans for 2025.

But having recently been back on a bike he has declared himself fit to race, and he has answered the Gladiators’ call with their most recent signing Daniel Klima sustaining a broken leg in a crash in Germany last weekend.
Nicholls’ arrival at the top of the team necessitates a further alteration with Arran Butcher stepping up into the Cab Direct Championship for the first time, replacing Mitchell Cluff, and the changes will take effect from the trip to Edinburgh on Friday.

Promoter Mark Phillips said: “It was tough to lose Daniel after such a promising start, but to bring in someone of Scott’s pedigree is a huge boost for the club and the fans.
“Scott doesn’t just bring points – he brings leadership, energy, and unmatched knowledge of the sport.
“Arran’s attitude and maturity will also be a big asset in the reserve berth.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEAGUE leaders Poole bid to extend their lead at the top of the Cab Direct Championship when they host Edinburgh at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday).
The Pirates suffered a shock defeat at Workington on Saturday, but they are still five points clear in the standings at the halfway stage of their regular schedule.

Meanwhile the Monarchs are firmly in the play-off race, sitting fifth place level on points with Oxford, although they did lose at home to Poole.
Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “We’ve put the Workington result behind us – it was a bad day at the office, plain and simple.

“Now the focus is fully on Wednesday against Edinburgh. They’ve made changes and have a strengthened side, and as we saw at the weekend, you cannot underestimate anyone in this league.
“We have been strong at home in recent weeks and need to keep that momentum going. If we hit our levels we will give ourselves every chance to bounce back and extend our lead at the top. The lads are determined to respond the right way.”

POOLE: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Lewis Kerr, Zach Cook, Anders Rowe, Paul Starke, Will Cairns.

EDINBURGH: Victor Palovaara, Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen, Kye Thomson, Michael Palm Toft, Jonatan Grahn, Jordy Loftus.

(SPEEDWAY 3)

NATIONAL Development Trophy table-toppers King’s Lynn face Kent at the Adrian Flux Arena tonight (Wednesday).
The Young Stars lost their 100 per cent record when they were beaten at Plymouth on Saturday, but they have impressed at home so far.
It’s a key fixture as Kent are five points behind Lynn but with two matches in hand, having already picked up an away point from Birmingham recently.

The home side again bring in Arran Butcher to guest for the unavailable Ashton Vale, whilst the Eagles have Freddy Hodder and Ryan Ingram replacing the injured Nathan Ablitt and Charlie Wood, with rider replacement for Nathan Hargave.
King’s Lynn manager Jason Pipe said: “Kent have three good heat leaders against us, and their two reserves could upset a few, so we really need to get our noses in front from the very first race.
“Looking at the fixtures that we still have left to race, it could even come down to who wins the aggregate point between ourselves and Kent for who takes the title, so we must win this home meeting to save ourselves from having a difficult task of having to go to Kent and get a win.”

Eagles boss David Graveling said: “We’re under no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead, but it’s one we are relishing. 
“This match could well come down to a battle of the heat leaders, but we have every confidence in our second-string riders, who have consistently shown they are more than capable of scoring valuable points when it matters most.”  “While securing an away win will be a tall order, keeping the scores tight could be crucial, with the potential for an aggregate point on offer when the return leg is held at Iwade on August 10.”

KING’S LYNN: Jody Scott, Arran Butcher, Cooper Rushen, Max Perry, Luke Harrison, Harrison Rogers, Calum Mitchell.

KENT: Freddy Hodder, Nathan Hargrave r/r, Vinnie Foord, Luke Harris, Ben Morley, Jamie Etherington, Ryan Ingram.
 
(FIXTURES)

WEDNESDAY JULY 16:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole (48) v Edinburgh (42) 7.30
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY: King’s Lynn v Kent Eagles 7.30

THURSDAY JULY 17:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Oxford (32) v Belle Vue (58) 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Ipswich (42) v King’s Lynn (48) 7.30

FRIDAY JULY 18:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh (44) v Plymouth (46) 7.30, Glasgow v Redcar 7.30, Scunthorpe (35) v Poole (55) 7.30