BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN 2026/09
Feature photo by: COLIN POOLE…SCUNTHORPE produced a sensational finish to record a 48-42 win at Redcar on Friday – having lost by 26 points on their previous visit to the ECCO Arena. The Scorpions secured the Cab Direct Championship points as they outscored the Bears 13-5 in the final three races, with Josh Pickering and Michael Palm Toft clinching the victory with a 4-2 in Heat 15.
HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
LEICESTER moved up to second place in the table with their win over Sheffield last Thursday. The Lions are three points behind leaders Belle Vue with two matches in hand. The Tigers and Ipswich complete the play-off positions at this stage, with the Witches moving into the top four thanks to their narrow home win over Northampton.
SWEDISH STAR BACK FOR WITCHES
PHILIP Hellstrom-Bangs has thanked the Ipswich management for sticking by him during the period of a suspension from his national governing body and then concerns over illness.
The Swede is set to return for the Witches this week when they face Sheffield at Foxhall on Thursday.
Hellstrom-Bangs said: “It feels really, really great that they have stuck by me. I am really thankful for the opportunity, and that they keep fighting for me.
“Even if I haven’t had the best races yet, they still want me to be in the team and be one of the Ipswich riders.
“I am really, really glad about that, and I appreciate that from all of the fans, riders and bosses at the club. I am really happy to be able to get back now and start helping them.”
ALL FRIENDS AGAIN!
LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson was pleased to see no repeat of on-track aggravation when his side defeated Sheffield 49-41 last Thursday.
The Lions are up to second place in the Premiership and a strong rivalry has developed between themselves and the Tigers after recent clashes.
Dickson said: “There was a good atmosphere between all the riders tonight, some really hard racing, and fair play to everybody.
“I know there were some fisticuffs last time we met, but this was a good atmosphere and obviously we’re pleased to have won. It’s a good two points for us.”
TIGERS’ AWAY DAY WOES
SHEFFIELD skipper Josh Pickering admits the Tigers’ current run of away results is proving something of a hindrance.
The South Yorkshire side were beaten at both Belle Vue and Leicester last week, going down by eight points at the Hydroscand Arena.
Pickering said: “We were passengers tonight unfortunately and not enough race winners. It’s hard to have the answers to everything, but tonight the better team to won.
“We appreciate our travelling support; there was a fair few of them all stood on bend one and it does mean a lot to us as riders.”
FOXES GO CLOSE
NORTHAMPTON went down by just four points at Ipswich last Thursday despite being without Danish duo Niels-Kristian Iversen and Jonas Jeppesen.
Manager Chris Adams says his side have had it tough due to a majority of away matches so far in 2026, but he expects those fortunes to turn.
He said: “I do feel the signs are there that we can become a force, and a more consistent run at home will help because we’ve had a lot on the road so far.
“I know we’ve had three home matches but because it’s a new track for everyone it feels like we’ve been on the road for all our matches! That should turn in our favour as long as we can get dialled in at home.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
IPSWICH look to maintain their 100 per cent home record when they host Sheffield on Thursday, with the Tigers seeking a first win on the road… Meanwhile Northampton will look to build on their recent home win over Leicester when they host King’s Lynn, who were successful at Brafied in the KO Cup earlier in the season.
*ALSO… BELLE Vue are building up to a massive weekend of racing as the Grand Prix series comes to the National Speedway Stadium for the second time. Rounds 3 and 4 take place in Manchester on Friday and Saturday with home skipper Brady Kurtz amongst the favourites, whilst GB hopes rest with Robert Lambert and wild card Tom Brennan following the injuries suffered by Dan Bewley last month.
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
POOLE lead the way with a 100 per cent record from three matches, whilst Scunthorpe are up to second courtesy of their away victory at Redcar last Friday. The remaining play-off places are currently held by Edinburgh and Plymouth, with Glasgow just behind the Gladiators on race points difference. Meanwhile Berwick, who have raced just one league match, and Redcar are still looking to get off the mark.
SUPERB WIN FOR SCORPIONS
SCUNTHORPE secured a dramatic away victory at Redcar which included a match-turning 5-1 in the re-run of Heat 14.
Dan Gilkes crashed out of the meeting in the initial staging of the race, but the previously scoreless Ryan Ingram came in and partnered Luke Harrison to a crucial maximum advantage.
Scorpions manager David Howe said: “The ride from young Ryan is what we’re starting to expect from him. On the away tracks, he still tends to struggle to start with, but once he gets himself in gear, he shows what he’s capable of. There’s still no pressure on him; we’re just happy when it produces a ride like that.
“I think speedway won tonight, because it was a fantastic meeting to watch, but of course, we took a great victory with our skipper Josh Pickering supported so well by the rest of the lads.”
MONARCHS HAVE A CHANCE
EDINBURGH reserve Mitchell Cluff insists the Armadale side can make use of their narrow two-point advantage when they head to Poole next Wednesday for the decisive leg of their BSN Series semi-final.
Cluff made a vital contribution in a 46-44 first leg victory, scoring eight points despite illness in the build-up to the meeting.
He said: “I got on with the job and I knew if I put the kevlars on then I’d go for it.
“I had a good meeting, just one bad race, and I made a final change for Heat 14 and it worked really well. Anything can happen in the second leg.”
CONSOLATION FOR PIRATES
POOLE star Kyle Newman took consolation from a narrow defeat at Edinburgh in the first leg of their BSN Series semi-final, as it still leaves the Pirates well placed for next week’s return.
Newman said: “Right now it feels like a bit of a kicking, having been six up and then losing the meeting. They delivered a sucker punch there in the end, and that will make the long journey home not quite so enjoyable than if we had held on for the win.
“But we knew that Edinburgh is a bit of a tricky track and so whilst it is a shame to have lost, we can reflect that we have come away with a two-point loss which in cup semi-finals is a decent position after one leg.”
COMETS OFF THE MARK
WORKINGTON manager James Denham was a relieved man after his team picked up their first Cab Direct Championship points of the season with a narrow victory over Scunthorpe despite having to contend with several team issues.
Denham said: “That was a bit too close for comfort, but I’m proud of how the lads dug deep. We ended up having to battle through with just five riders, but we got the win and that’s the main thing.
“It’s a relief to finally get our first league points on the board because they’ve narrowly eluded us so far this season. Hopefully this result gives us something to build on and we can kick on from here.”
KENNETT GOOD TO GO
OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck expects new signing Edward Kennett to slot into the Cheetahs’ side well, having agreed a deal to replace illness victim Erik Riss.
Kennett has joined the Cowley club on a 28-day arrangement with his first appearance due on Wednesday when they host Redcar.
Schroeck said: “Edward is not coming in completely from the cold – he’s been doing grasstrack, riding uprights and other bits and pieces. His career was cut short by injury, but he’s now fully recovered and ready to go again.”
TIGERS LOOK TO RESET
GLASGOW skipper Chris Harris is looking for his side to find a spark when they resume following a break from action later this month.
The Tigers’ last fixture saw them go down to a 55-35 defeat at Poole with Harris leading the visitors’ scoring on 15 points.
Harris said: “We’ve just got to stay positive as a team, we know what we are capable of. We just had too many boys having an off night, like I did on Friday (at Scunthorpe).
“We need to go away and regroup and try and find a spark to click together and then we should be back on song, as they say.”
BEARS ASSESS OPTIONS
REDCAR co-promoter Jamie Swales says the club are looking for ways to improve their fortunes after a tough start to their league campaign.
The Bears suffered home and away defeats to Poole and were then beaten at the ECCO Arena by Scunthorpe last Friday.
Swales said: “We are actively considering all options to try and improve our team line-up.
“But we have to be sure that we are making a decision or decisions that will benefit the club in the long haul, not necessarily just the short term.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
OXFORD have the chance to move into the top four when they host Redcar on Wednesday in the only Cab Direct Championship fixture of the week.
ALSO… REDCAR stage the British Under-21 Final at the ECCO Arena on Sunday (5pm) with home hopes resting with Jody Scott and Ace Pijper along with Middlesbrough NDL riders Charlie Southwick and Harry Sadler. A top field of youngsters is in place to fight for the national title, including current U19 champion Luke Harrison and 16-year-olds Cooper Rushen and Will Cairns, along with Ryan Ingram who won the Qualifier at Leicester last month… POOLE stage their annual Harbour Masters Individual at Wimborne Road on Wednesday with several rising stars of the sport on show.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
EDINBURGH and Middlesbrough both have five points, although the Monarchs Academy have three matches in hand. Leicester have won their only match in the NDL so far, whilst Buxton and King’s Lynn have yet to race in the competition.
CUBS SHOW THEIR STRENGTH
LEICESTER Lion Cubs raced to an impressive 60-30 win over Buxton to complete an emphatic aggregate success in their challenge fixtures.
Youngster Ryan Ingram starred again with 15+2 whilst Max Perry was also in the major points and 15-year-old Seth Norman kept up his fine form at reserve.
Ingram said: “I’m really happy with my performance today. We worked well as a team and that showed on track.
“I enjoyed the meeting, and Heat 15 was pretty good! I’m feeling good at Leicester now, and I’m looking forward to carrying this form forward.”
TOUGH DAY FOR BULLS
BUXTON boss Laurence Rogers praised No.1 Alfie Bowtell for his 15-point haul in a 30-point defeat to Leicester on Sunday in which the Lion Cubs were largely dominant.
Rogers said: “Alfie rode really well along with (guest) Ben Whalley, and Jack Shimelt improved as the meeting went on.
“We did stem the tide a little bit in the second half of the meeting with a few drawn heats and a heat advantage though, on what is a very different track to Hi-Edge.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
BUXTON stage Individual action at Hi-Edge this Sunday with the first running of the Derbyshire Individual.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JUNE 3:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Oxford v Redcar 7.30
HARBOUR MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 4:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Ipswich (38) v Sheffield (52) 7.30, Northampton v King’s Lynn 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 5:
FIM ATPI GRAND PRIX OF MANCHESTER: Belle Vue 7pm
SATURDAY JUNE 6:
FIM ATPI GRAND PRIX OF MANCHESTER: Belle Vue 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 7:
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Redcar 5pm
DERBYSHIRE INDIVIDUAL: Buxton 3pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 10:
BSN SERIES SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Poole (44) v Edinburgh (46) 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 11:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Leicester v Ipswich 7.30, Sheffield v Northampton 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 12:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Scunthorpe 7.30,
MAXICAB KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Redcar v Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 13:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Workington v Oxford 3pm
MAXICAB KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Plymouth v Redcar 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 14:
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Buxton v Edinburgh 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 15:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30, King’s Lynn v Northampton 7.30
