BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 8, 2025
(SPEEDWAY 1)
WITCHES APPROACH BUSINESS END OF SEASON
IPSWICH became the first team to book their place in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-offs with a 54-36 home win over Oxford.
The Witches did not have things all their own way against a depleted Spires side, and they actually trailed on the night after five heats before hitting back with three 5-1s in the next four races.
The result means the Foxhall outfit are four points clear of Belle Vue at the top of the table with both teams having five matches remaining.
Tom Brennan top-scored with four race wins on his way to 12 points and Adam Ellis notched 10+2, whilst Oxford guest Richard Lawson scored 11+1 and Rising Star reserve Luke Killeen impressed with seven.
Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It wasn’t our best performance of the year, far from it, and it felt a bit of a slog at times, but we were experimenting with track conditions and overall, it didn’t work.
“We were battling with that and Oxford came and fought hard, and they will be happy with the two young lads, Luke and Mitch (McDiarmid). I thought they put in really creditable performances and that is pleasing for them.
“It was one of those nights where we had to battle but we got another three points on the board, and we move on and come back for a tougher test next week.”
Spires boss Peter Schroeck said: “We said we didn’t come here just to make the numbers up tonight and I think we achieved that.
“We had a couple of young lads in our line-up and I was pleased how both Luke and Mitch did.
“Overall, I am pleased with our performance. This is a tough track to come to, but we gave Ipswich a battle.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
GLASGOW kick off a busy month at Ashfield as they face Workington in the Cab Direct Championship tonight (Friday).
The Tigers are second in the table, five points behind Poole with three matches in hand, and this is the first of four outings on their own track including a big Cup clash with Edinburgh next week.
The home side are without Villads Nagel who suffered an injury in Sweden on Tuesday which was further aggravated in Denmark on Wednesday.
Meanwhile the Comets return to full strength and are looking improve on last week’s away displays which saw them beaten at Scunthorpe and Plymouth. They have a big 24 hours ahead with a home clash against Oxford to come on Saturday.
Manager James Denham said: “We’re heading into this weekend full of belief. Yes, results haven’t gone our way recently, but we’ve never given in at any meeting and Plymouth was tough as we had a few changes in the team – but with Jye (Etheridge), Vinnie (Foord) and Fraser (Bowes) back in the side, we’re at full strength.
“We know what Glasgow bring to the table – they’re chasing the top spot for a reason – but we’re not going there to make up the numbers.
“We’ve got riders who know they can win races anywhere, and we’re going into both fixtures with confidence and plenty of fight.”
GLASGOW: Chris Harris, Tobias Thomsen, Dan Thompson, Leon Flint, Kyle Howarth, Freddy Hodder, Max Perry.
WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor, Fraser Bowes, Antti Vuolas, Jye Etheridge, Tate Zischke, Jacob Hook, Vinnie Foord.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
EDINBURGH have a big incentive to open up a gap on the play-off chasing pack when they host Scunthorpe at Armadale tonight (Friday).
The Monarchs are third in the Cab Direct Championship and a win on the night will also give them the aggregate point, and it would move them six points clear of the sides currently outside the top four.
They will, however, be without No.1 Victor Palovaara due to illness, with rider replacement being utilised against a Scorpions side who have a good recent record at the Scottish venue.
Scunthorpe have won on three of their last four visits, and are led by Steve Worrall who won the title with the Monarchs eleven years ago.
Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We know we should win this one, they are having hard times and we should be looking to take advantage, but there’s a lesson there in all sports that you should take absolutely nothing for granted.
“They’ve got riders who can come and win races, and we are still being a bit inconsistent at home, so it’s up to us to do what we are there to do – to ensure that we get three league points.”
EDINBURGH: Victor Palovaara R/R, Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen, Kye Thomson, Michael Palm Toft, Jonatan Grahn, Jordy Loftus.
SCUNTHORPE: Steve Worrall, Zaine Kennedy, Luke Harrison, Connor Mountain, Jake Allen, Declan Kennedy, Simon Lambert.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
REDCAR bid to build on their big win at Oxford when they face Berwick in Cab Direct Championship action at the ECCO Arena tonight (Friday).
The Bears lost at home to Glasgow last week but hit straight back with victory at Cowley, and their remaining four matches on their own track are against the sides currently occupying the bottom four places in the table.
They operate rider replacement for Erik Riss as they take on a Bandits side who are at full strength and are heading towards last-chance saloon for their own play-off hopes.
The visitors need big points from their schedule this weekend against the Bears and then when they host Scunthorpe on Saturday to remain in touch.
Redcar boss Gavin Parr said: “The boys just need to keep firing and do what we have been doing. The result against Oxford will mean nothing if we don’t back it up against the Bandits with another win.
“Berwick have recently strengthened up and they are a strong side, they have riders who will be a threat so it’s up to the boys to work together and get the win.”
Berwick manager Stewart Dickson said: “We’ve worked hard to make changes and bring in new riders and haven’t seen the full benefit yet. Last weekend was disappointing but we need to move on.
“There’s six meetings to race, lots of points to be collected. Everyone has written us off and we probably need others to falter. That’s out of our control. What we can do is, one to seven, fight for every point.”
REDCAR: Charles Wright, Jody Scott, Jason Edwards, Erik Riss R/R, Danny King, Jake Mulford, Ace Pijper.
BERWICK: Nick Morris, Sam Hagon, Jonas Jeppesen, Drew Kemp, Peter Kildemand, Dayle Wood, Jack Smith.
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY AUGUST 8:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh (50) v Scunthorpe (40) 7.30, Glasgow v Workington 7.30, Redcar (42) v Berwick (48) 7.30
SATURDAY AUGUST 9:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Plymouth (42) v Poole (48) 7pm, Workington v Oxford 6pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 10:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY: Kent Eagles (35) v King’s Lynn (53) 12pm
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Middlesbrough 1pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (250cc): Belle Vue (follows NDL fixture)
