BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN 2026/04

Feature photo by: JEFF HIGGOTT…IPSWICH booked their place in the Premiership KO Cup Final with a hard-fought 47-43 home win over newcomers Northampton at Foxhall on Thursday.The Witches have won all three of their southern section group fixtures and are now uncatchable at the top, setting up a Final clash with holders Leicester in July.

HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP LATEST

HURRY – MORE TO COME!
IPSWICH boss Paul Hurry was pleased to see his side book their KO Cup Final place with victory over Northampton last week.
But the former GB international is expecting more over the coming weeks as the new-look Witches team settles into their league title defence.
Hurry said: “We all feel, and every one of them said, ‘There is still something we need to work on.’ Everyone went away thinking they are still chasing that goal, which is good.
“Team spirit is good, and everyone is happy. But everyone is still feeling there’s a little bit missing at the moment. We’ll see what happens and keep working on it. But onwards and upwards – we’re into a Cup Final! It was only our second home meeting, so to achieve that is really good.”

LIONS THROUGH IN CUP DRAMA
KO CUP holders Leicester will contest the Final again this season after defeating Sheffield 46-44 in a thriller at the Hydroscand Arena.
The Lions overcame the loss of Ryan Douglas after a heavy crash to secure the result they required which sets up a Final against Ipswich this summer – a repeat of last year’s Premiership Grand Final!
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “I thought we were the better team, although it was disappointing to be eight and then 12 points up and for them to still come back into it, so that’s something we need to sort out as the season goes on.
“But we’ve qualified for the Final against Ipswich and we owe them one for last season, don’t think I’ve forgotten about that!”

YOUNG STARS SHINE
KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon praised youngsters Cooper Rushen and Jody Scott who combined for 17+3 points in Monday’s opening league win over Sheffield.
The Stars won 49-41 and the contribution of the teenagers was vital on a night where the home side were missing the injured Paco Castagna.
Lyon said: “The two boys have been great tonight, and we can see what potential they’ve both got.
“Obviously we were throwing them to the wolves a bit tonight with Paco out and us deciding to run rider replacement, but it paid off okay and it gives them more track time and experience, which they revelled in.
“It’s a great result to get an eight-point win, I’m happy with that.”

TIGERS FALL SHORT
SHEFFIELD manager Simon Stead admits there are areas to work on after a frustrating week on the road.
The Tigers saw their KO Cup hopes ended at Leicester in a tight encounter on Thursday, and they then missed out in a last-heat decider in their league opener at King’s Lynn.
Stead said: “Again, we’re disappointed as a group and it’s a difficult one to swallow because I think over the course of the meeting, we were better value than coming away with an eight point defeat.
“There’s still plenty we need to work on collectively, we’re still lacking in one or two areas which is costing us at the minute and we need improvement in order for us to achieve the better results we’re all after.”

FOXES ENCOURAGED AGAIN
NEWCOMERS Northampton raced into a 15-9 lead at Ipswich last Thursday in the KO Cup, before going down to a 47-43 defeat.
Team manager Chris Adams says he’s seen plenty of good signs from their opening meetings, despite the absence of the injured Niels-Kristian Iversen.
Adams said: “Once again there were lots of positives during the night. We’re still trying to find our form a little bit, but there are some very encouraging signs.
“Jaimon (Lidsey) again did a brilliant job at No.1, and I thought Kye (Thomson) had a fantastic night at reserve.”

BRADY BUILDING UP
BELLE Vue skipper Brady Kurtz is now  clear of his early season illness and ready to make a big impact on the 2026 campaign.
Kurtz kicks off his World Championship challenge in Landshut this Saturday and will then be back to lead the Aces in ROWE Motor Oil Premiership action against Northampton at midday on Bank Holiday Monday.
He said: “I’m feeling ready to go for a big season. I’m looking forward to the GPs, it would be nice to get off to a good start. It would make life a little bit easier if I’m close to the top.”

THE WEEK AHEAD…
A BUSY Bank Holiday Monday of league action sees Northampton in action twice as the Foxes visit Belle Vue for a midday meeting and then move on to Leicester in the evening… meawhile, East Anglian rivals Ipswich and King’s Lynn clash at Foxhall at 2.15pm… Northampton’s home opener is scheduled for Thursday with the Foxes taking on Ipswich in the KO Cup.
 
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP  LATEST

GLADIATORS GO THROUGH
PLYMOUTH boss Garry May praised his side for their efforts in defeating Glasgow at the Coliseum on Saturday to move into the MAXiCab KO Cup semi-finals.
May said: “The lads were outstanding tonight. To come in four points down and turn it around so quickly says everything about their mindset and belief.
“Daniel (Klima) was exceptional, but it was a real team performance from top to bottom. We stayed focused, executed the plan, and got exactly what we deserved.
“We’re not here just to make up the numbers—we want to go all the way. If we ride like that, we’ll be a tough team for anyone to beat.”

BANDITS BID TO MARCH ON
BERWICK overcame the loss of Reid Battye to injury to make MAXiCab KO Cup progress for the first time in over a decade when they secured aggregate victory over Workington.
Now manager Stewart Dickson is urging his side to build on that momentum as they look to make an impact in other competitions.
Dickson said: “It’s been a long time since the club reached the latter stages of the Cup but we are certainly not there to make up the numbers.
“It was a good all-round performance and we need to keep it going. Next weekend we can make our mark in the BSN Series. Obviously Reid was a big miss and our thoughts were very much with him as we prepared for today.”

CHEETAHS GETTING BETTER
OXFORD star Mitch McDiarmid says the impressive 55-35 win over Plymouth last Wednesday was further proof that the Cheetahs are gelling as a team.
McDiarmid said: “All the boys were hungry. We really wanted the win, and it was good speedway and the track allowed us to race.
“It’s taken us a couple of meetings, but we’re now really starting to click as a team. We’re improving every meeting.”

SCORPIONS IN THE MARKET?
SCUNTHORPE boss David Howe has hinted changes could be afoot at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
The Scorpions recently picked up a home win over Poole although they exited the MAXiCab KO Cup, and they also pushed Workington in the BSN Series at the GT Tyres Arena – but Howe is still considering options.
He told Speedway Star: “Whatever we decide to do, I can’t see us remaining the same. I think changes will have to happen.
“Yes, there has been a massive improvement in a couple of riders so we will assess and make our mind up, but we will do whatever is best for the club.”

TIGERS TOLD TO STEP UP
GLASGOW manager Cami Brown says his team needs to go “up a level” after their MAXiCab KO Cup disappointment last weekend.
The Tigers lost out over two legs to Plymouth and now look to gain some consolation by making progress in the BSN Series.
Brown said: “We are all gutted that our poor cup record continues. We had poor luck at Ashfield in the first leg with mechanical issues. The damage was done in the last four races in the first leg.
“We now have a huge meeting on Sunday against Edinburgh at Ashfield. We need to go up a level. It’s a must-win fixture and we need the fans behind us.”

COMETS’ BRUISING WEEKEND
WORKINGTON are awaiting news on the extent of the arm injury suffered by Danish youngster Niklas Holm Jakobsen in a heavy crash at Berwick on Saturday as the Comets suffered aggregate defeat in the MAXiCab KO Cup.
Temporary manager Barry Collins said: “Niklas was very battered and bruised with some cuts here and there, but the main thing was the lower arm pain he had. He went back to Denmark on Saturday night and will be assessed at home.
“Likewise I wish Reid [Battye] a speedy recovery, it was horrible crash at more or less full speed
“I was pleased with how the lads responded on Sunday, the odds were very much against us with a patched up side, but they all delivered a great team effort and rallied round to get the win.”

PRESSURE ON PIRATES
POOLE promoter Dan Ford says nothing less than a victory is required when the Pirates host Oxford in the BSN Series on Wednesday, having lost the reverse fixture at Cowley by 12 points.
The Pirates also suffered a recent defeat at Scunthorpe, although that result did not affect their qualification for the MAXiCab KO Cup semi-finals.
Ford said: “It’s a must-win meeting for us, there’s no getting away from that. We’ve underperformed in our last two meetings, but now there’s no room for error if we want to reach the semi-finals.
“It’s all on the line, and we need a big response at home.”

THOMSON STARS FOR MONARCHS
EDINBURGH’S in-form Australian Kye Thomson says his strong start to the season is the result of his efforts and investment in recent years now paying off.
Thomson said: “It’s a few years I’ve been here now and I’ve finally gathered up enough financial support to buy good equipment.
“It’s really paying off and I’m enjoying being part of both leagues, I want to keep it going.”

BEARS GO THROUGH
REDCAR are through to the last four of the MAXiCab KO Cup after successfully defending their advantage at Edinburgh on Friday.
The Bears drew 45-45 at Armadale to back up their 12-point win from the first leg with reserve Jody Scott starring on 9+2, whilst Jake Allen scored 9+1.

THE WEEK AHEAD…
IT’S a crucial week of action in the BSN Series with issues to be decided in all groups, starting in the South where Poole host Oxford on Wednesday… In the North, Workington travel to Scunthorpe on Friday and then host Redcar on Saturday… The Scottish group features home and away clashes for Edinburgh against Berwick on Friday and Saturday, before the Monarchs head to Glasgow on Sunday.

WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LATEST
 
CHARGERS LEFT FLAT
WSRA NDL Champions Oxford suffered a shock home defeat in their opening fixture at home to Middlesbrough last Sunday.
The Tigers won 48-42 to pick up their first-ever victory on the road in the third tier – and now the Chargers look to turn the tables on Friday.
Reserve Harry Fletcher said: “I’ve ridden at Redcar quite a few times in the British Youth Championship and other meetings.
“Today was only our first meeting and a few of us haven’t had the track time, but we’ll go up to Redcar on Friday and have a go at winning that meeting.”

INRGAM FLYING AT BUXTON
RYAN Ingram reeled off four straight wins for Leicester in their 49-41 challenge match win at Buxton.
Ingram missed out on a maximum when he was out of the points in Heat 15 but he was still delighted with his efforts for the Lion Cubs.
He said: “I’m really pleased with today. I was a bit gutted to miss out on the maximum in my last heat, but I can’t complain.
“It was a good away win for the team and awesome to get the track record in Heat 3.”

THE WEEK AHEAD…
MIDDLESBROUGH gained an impressive away win over Oxford last Sunday and the Tigers host the return fixture at the ECCO Arena on Friday… meanwhile the latest round of the British Youth Championship takes place at Buxton on Sunday.
 
FIXTURE PICTURE…

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29:
BSN SERIES: Poole (39) v Oxford (51) 7.30

THURSDAY APRIL 30:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTH): Northampton (43) v Ipswich (47) 7.30

FRIDAY MAY 1:
BSN SERIES: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Scunthorpe (41) v Workington (49) 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Middlesbrough (48) v Oxford (42) 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 2:
BSN SERIES: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm, Workington v Redcar 6pm

SUNDAY MAY 3:
BSN SERIES: Glasgow (45) v Edinburgh (45) 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Buxton 3pm

MONDAY MAY 4:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Belle Vue v Northampton 12pm, Ipswich v King’s Lynn 2.15, Leicester v Northampton 7.30

WEDNESDAY MAY 6:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Redcar 7.30 (prov)
MAXiCAB KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Oxford v Poole 7.30 (prov)

THURSDAY MAY 7:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTH): Northampton (40) v King’s Lynn (50) 7.30

FRIDAY MAY 8:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30, Glasgow v Plymouth 7.30, Redcar v Poole 7.30

SATURDAY MAY 9:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Scunthorpe 7pm, Workington v Plymouth 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington (500cc/250cc) (follows Champ fixture)

SUNDAY MAY 10:
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue (500cc/250cc) 1pm

MONDAY MAY 11:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30