BRITISH SPEEDWAY APRIL 19, 2026

(SPEEDWAY 1)

AUSSIE STARS BANDITS’ WIN

BERWICK newcomer Reid Battye was the hero as the Bandits opened their Shielfield Park campaign with a 49-41 win over Glasgow in the BSN Series.

Australian racer Battye racked up 12+3 at reserve for the home side, who trailed heading to the halfway stage but turned the meeting around with back-to-back 5-1s in Heats 8 and 9.
They even looked set to challenge for the aggregate point but late wins for Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Kyle Howarth ensured the visitors took some reward back to Ashfield.

Battye’s super showing was backed up by Nick Morris on 10+2, whilst for Glasgow Leon Flint (13) won his first four rides on his old home track and Howarth notched 11.

Bandits boss Stewart Dickson said: “We weren’t too disheartened by losing at Ashfield on Friday in poor conditions, but I was delighted with the way we responded.

“Reid certainly impressed in only his second-ever team event and he gave me plenty of options as the night went on. But to be fair everyone did their bit in a great team performance.

“That, and better, is what we must aim for going forward.”

Tigers manager Cami Brown said: “It was a tough night at the office. Berwick are a very strong side, especially at home, and not many teams will get a result here.

“We lost a bit of momentum when Kyle got excluded in Heat 9. That meant we conceded two 5-1s and gave Berwick a lift. 

“Chris Harris had a very rare off night. But Kevin, Kyle and Leon Flint delivered when it mattered. We got the aggregate point and that keeps us in a good position in the group.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

WORKINGTON overcame a tough test from Scunthorpe to open their BSN Series account with a 49-41 win at the GT Tyres Arena.

When Scorpions duo Josh Pickering and Nathan Ablitt combined for a 5-1 in Heat 11 it meant the visitors had clawed their way back from six points down to level the scores in an encouraging away display.

But the Comets responded with 5-1s in Heats 12 and 14, both involving guest reserve Cooper Rushen, and new No.1 Jonas Jeppesen completed a strong showing by winning the final race.

Jeppesen scored 12+1 for the home side with Craig Cook also impressing on 12, whilst Pickering scored 12 for the visitors despite conceding a 5-1 in Heat 1, and youngster Ryan Ingram impressed again with 6+1.
Comets stand-in manager Baz Collins said: “It was a really well contested meeting all the way through and both sides gave it everything. I thought it was a great spectacle with plenty of good racing.

“It’s a great start to the season for us with a win under our belts, and hopefully we’ll push on next weekend with the home and away matches with Berwick.”
Scorpions boss David Howe said: “We worked hard to get level heading into the interval, but then the two 5-1s have done us. In a way, we would have been better to be slightly further back, so Josh could have come in as a tactical substitute.

“There were plenty of promising signs. Nathan turned his afternoon around and took two paid wins, while young Ryan continues to come in on leaps and bounds and he had a really good meeting. There were good signs from this meeting – we’ve just got to keep on improving.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

PLYMOUTH have announced the signing of Slovenian racer Anze Grmek as their replacement for long-term injury victim Tobias Thomsen.

21-year-old Grmek will be making his debut in British speedway but he has raced on the European stage and has also been a part of the SGP2 (World Under-21 Championship series).

Gladiators promoter Mark Phillips said: “Everyone remains focused on supporting Tobias and his family during what will be a slow but hopefully steady recovery, and we look forward to the day when we can welcome Tobias and his family back to Plymouth to meet supporters once again.

“In the meantime, we will shortly be commencing our league and Cup programme and it is important that we found a suitable replacement for Tobias for the remainder of the season.

“Anze has represented Slovenia at team and Individual levels, and at 21 years of age is very keen to come to the UK to further his experience and to improve himself as a rider.

“He comes to us very highly recommended by some significant observers, including my good friend and former Trelawny Tigers star Matej Zagar.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

LEICESTER host Middlesbrough in the opening match of the WSRA National Development League campaign today (Sunday).

The Lion Cubs have consistently been up amongst the title contenders in recent seasons but are expecting a tough test from a strengthened Tigers outfit.

Ben Morley, Freddy Hodder and Seth Norman make their official Lion Cubs debuts whilst Tom Spencer has rejoined the club from today’s opponents.

Meanwhile former Leicester rider Ben Trigger is now with Middlesbrough but misses out today for personal reasons, and Nathan Ablitt has also joined the Tigers in support of No.1 Ace Pijper, whilst newcomer Harry Sadler makes his debut.

Leicester manager Jen Crossland said: “Middlesbrough look to have a very strong top order, and I’m sure they will pose us a significant challenge.

“There are some familiar faces in their team who have good experience around this track, so it may well be a close contest and we’ll be giving it 100 per cent to come out on top.”
LEICESTER: Ben Morley, Tom Spencer, Max Perry, Ryan Ingram, Freddy Hodder, Eli Meadows, Seth Norman.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Ace Pijper, Kai Ward, Nathan Ablitt, Stene Pijper, Harry Fletcher, Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick.

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BUXTON open their team campaign with a challenge match against an NDL Nomads team at the Hi-Edge Raceway today (Sunday).

It’s additional track time for the Bulls riders ahead of the league campaign, in the second meeting of the sport’s relaunch at the Derbyshire venue.

The visitors include several riders looking to impress for possible team places in the third tier this season, and they are led by Edinburgh’s Connor Coles and recent King’s Lynn signing Jack Kingston.

Buxton boss Laurence Rogers said: “It is important we have the meeting on Sunday for the supporters, but also the riders in order to sort out partnerships and get any gremlins out of the way with bikes and to get race fit.

“You can practice and do work in the gym but it doesn’t get you race fit on the track which is really important for the riders.

“I feel it’s important to give these (visitors) a chance to put themselves in the shop window, and the meeting will also give us a good test to start out home season as a team.”

BUXTON: Alfie Bowtell, Arran Butcher, Luke Harris, Jamie Etherington, Jack Smith, Jack Shimelt, Bailey Fellows.

NDL NOMADS: Connor Coles, Sam Woods, Jack Roberts, Alex Spooner, Jack Kingston, Ben Whalley, Owen Booth.

(FIXTURES)

SUNDAY APRIL 19:

WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Leicester v Middlesbrough 3pm

CHALLENGE: Buxton v NDL Nomads 3pm

MONDAY APRIL 20:

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP ROUND 1: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTH): King’s Lynn v Northampton 7.30

WEDNESDAY APRIL 22:

BSN SERIES: Oxford (32) v Plymouth (57) 7.30