BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAY 1, 2026
(SPEEDWAY 1)
NORTHAMPTON’S SUCCESSFUL OPENING HOME MEETING
NORTHAMPTON’S historic opening home meeting was hailed as a major success as a huge crowd packed the Shaleway to see the Foxes take on Ipswich.
The monumental efforts of recent weeks to convert the stock car venue near Brafield into a dual-purpose operation paid dividends with a trouble-free night of racing and extensive interest in the event.
The visitors were 49-41 winners, having already confirmed their place in the KO Cup Final, with Witches skipper Danny King taking the honour of being the first race winner, whilst Foxes guest Kyle Howarth is the early track record holder.
Tobiasz Musielak, with 13 points, was top scorer for Ipswich with Richard Lawson on 10+3 and King (9) won three races, whilst Matej Zagar (8+1) led the scoring for the home side, who would have set up a last heat decider but for a last-lap mechanical failure for Kye Thomson in Heat 14.
Northampton co-promoter Paul Hunsdon said: “Of course it was disappointing that we didn’t win on the night, or at least run it to the last heat, but we have to look at the big picture and I think everyone has gone home happy.
“The main positive was that everything ran smoothly, and we showed that we can deal with a big crowd, there was parking for everyone and there was still room for more.
“We delayed the start of racing by a few minutes which was the right thing to do, and I know that not a single person missed a race. The turnstiles coped with the demand, the food was plentiful, and we know the track will evolve – we already have some more ideas on that.
Ipswich manager Paul Hurry said: “When we all got there and walked out on track, we were thinking, ‘Wow, this isn’t quite what we expected.’ But the boys all went there with an open mind.
“The main body of the team are all experienced enough to be able to deal with these tracks. It’s one that was a lot smaller than we expected. If they can do anything, our boys can turn a bike. All of our boys can ride small tracks really well, so that helps.
“Going there with the unknown as to what conditions would be like and what the material was going to be and feel like was tough, but they all took it in their stride and dealt with it.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
VISITING team manager Paul Hurry heaped praise on the new set-up at Northampton after seeing his Ipswich side triumph on opening night.
The Witches completed an unbeaten record in the group stages of the Premiership KO Cup but in the wider picture of the sport as a whole, Hurry was delighted they were able to play their part in a successful first meeting.
He said: “What a decent track and a decent set-up. With the effort, time and finances that have gone into getting it over the line, you have to give full credit to Paul Hunsdon, Tony Gaul and Buster Chapman.
“They have put in a hell of a shift. It was a brilliant crowd too.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GREAT Britain captain Robert Lambert is looking to avoid any shock results as his side compete in the World Cup semi-final at Landshut tonight (Friday).
Lambert is joined by Belle Vue star Dan Bewley, Ipswich No.1 Tom Brennan, Sheffield and Glasgow’s Leon Flint, and Belle Vue and Poole youngster Will Cairns as reserve as they face host nation Germany, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Only the winners of the meeting will reach the Final in Warsaw later this summer, and GB will come up against several familiar faces including Norick Blodorn (Belle Vue) for Germany along with Czech duo Jan Kvech (King’s Lynn) and Daniel Klima (Plymouth).
Lambert said: “Dan and I have had experience on the Landshut track before, and I know Leon rides here in the Polish league.
“Being in that Final would be incredible, so hopefully we can push forward in Landshut and achieve that.
“Racing here is probably going to favour the Germans a little bit, but any other team could have a good day, pop out and ruin it for us. That’s how it always is in these meetings. You can’t take anything for granted.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
EDINBURGH host Berwick at Armadale tonight (Friday) at the start of a pivotal weekend in the Scottish section of the BSN Series.
The Monarchs face all three of their remaining group fixtures over the next three days, whilst the Bandits complete their schedule with the return match tomorrow.
Both sides are chasing Glasgow, who have four points on the board from three matches and face Edinburgh at Ashfield on Sunday.
Captain Paco Castagna, who crashed heavily last week, is back for the Monarchs who have one point so far, whilst Berwick are currently on two and bring in Dayle Wood for the injured Reid Battye at reserve.
Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We’ve got to be thinking about still qualifying for the semi-finals. We’ve just got to improve, we’ve got two matches with Berwick, if we can pick up the majority of points from these then it’s up to us to go to Glasgow and do something.
“I’m sure Berwick will make it tough for us on Friday I don’t doubt that. It’s up to us, but the one thing we cannot do is have so many last places as last week – in any match.”
Bandits manager Stewart Dickson said: “In some ways qualification is out of our hands with Glasgow already on four points, two ahead of us.
“But we have to make something happen ourselves, get the points on the board and put pressure on Glasgow and Edinburgh for Sunday.”
EDINBURGH: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna, Kye Thomson, Mitchell Cluff, Jordy Loftus.
BERWICK: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Dayle Wood.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SCUNTHORPE complete their BSN Series Northern group campaign when they face Workington at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday).
The Scorpions have two points so far but a win and the aggregate point would put them onto five and in with a chance of qualification, whilst the Comets are also in the mix and have one match in hand.
The aggregate point could also be significant with eight points between the sides in Workington’s favour from the return fixture.
Scunthorpe are at full strength whilst the visitors bring in Jake Mulford and Sam Hagon for injured duo Niklas Holm Jakobsen and Vinnie Foord, whilst Max Perry makes his debut and Craig Cook is back from a shoulder injury.
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “To make progress, we know we need to win, take the aggregate point and run up as big a points total as we possibly can and then hope other results fall favourably for us, which could take us into the semis as the best group runner-up.
“Our last two results have been pleasing, with a ten-point home win over Poole, plus a battling performance at Workington.
“Looking at the riders lined-up for Friday, it’s going to be a great night of speedway, and I hope our supporters turn up in numbers to get behind the lads as we seek to gain the result that we need.”
SCUNTHORPE: Josh Pickering, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison, Connor Mountain, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert, Ryan Ingram.
WORKINGTON: Jonas Jeppesen, Jake Mulford, Troy Batchelor, Tate Zischke, Craig Cook, Sam Hagon, Max Perry.
(SPEEDWAY 6)
OXFORD Chargers manager Peter Schroeck says his side are capable of turning the tables on Middlesbrough in the WSRA National Development League tonight (Friday).
The Tigers raced to a shock opening win over the defending champions at Cowley last weekend, and now the sides meet again at the ECCO Arena.
There are two changes for the home side with Freddy Hodder guesting for Nathan Ablitt who is on Championship duty, whilst Seth Norman replaces the retired Kai Ward.
Schroeck said: “I know the boys would love to win at Middlesbrough and make up for the home defeat on Sunday.
“I wasn’t unhappy on Sunday – our riders put it in their all and that’s all I can ever ask for, especially at this level where the lads are still learning their trade.
“The WSRA National Development League is unpredictable and there’s no reason why we can’t win up there and come away with a victory.”
MIDDLESBROUGH: Ace Pijper, Seth Norman, Stene Pijper, Jade Mudgway, Freddy Hodder, Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick.
OXFORD: Jody Scott, Mason Watson, Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Harry Fletcher, Max Broadhurst.
(FIXTURES)
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 (42) v Redcar (48) 6pm
SUNDAY MAY 3:
BSN SERIES: Glasgow (45) v Edinburgh (45) 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Buxton 3pm
