BRITISH SPEEDWAY WEEKLY BULLETIN 2026/15
Feature Photo by: IAN CHARLES…Belle Vue increased their lead at the top of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership table with an emphatic 57-33 win against Northampton on Monday night at the National Speedway Stadium.
The Aces led throughout with Zach Cook top-scoring with 13+2 and Brady Kurtz chipping in with 12. Jaimon Lidsey offered best resistance for the Foxes with three heat wins in his 11-point score.
Belle Vue move seven-points clear of second-placed Leicester in the standings.
HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
BELLE Vue are seven points clear at the top of the table whilst Leicester’s win at Ipswich has moved them into second place. King’s Lynn were also winners on the road last Thursday, with their shock success at Sheffield lifting them into third, leaving the Tigers trailing Ipswich by a point, although they have three matches in hand.
STARS’ SWEET SELECTION
KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon praised No.1 Max Fricke for his impact in the Stars’ stunning comeback at Sheffield which saw them gain their first-ever league away win in South Yorkshire – as well as moving into the Premiership’s top four.
Lyon said: “This team this year has been like a box of chocolates – you’re not sure what you’re going to get.
“But tonight we got a great team performance, led superbly by our No.1 (Fricke); he was the catalyst for the comeback.
“To be ten (points) down after ten to then win by two was amazing really and it puts us back in the mix I’m sure.”
ACES IN POLE POSITION
BELLE Vue manager Mark Lemon believes the Premiership table will take further shape this month with his side having points on the board and a very strong overall position.
Lemon said: “Of course we want to win all of our home matches which is something we’ve managed to do so far, and away we’ve got a couple of wins and aggregate points as well which is pretty crucial.
“Other teams are going to start catching up with July being a quieter month for ourselves so we’ll have a bit of a clearer indication at the end of this month I feel.
“But right now, we seem to be travelling quite well, we’re winning our home matches and we’re definitely a top two team, which bodes well for our first aim which is to make the play-offs once again.”
LIONS AT THE DOUBLE
LEICESTER put controversy over track conditions to one side with a 48-42 win at Ipswich, taking three 5-1s in the last four races to complete the double over the Witches.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “We’re very happy with the win, and as I’ve said previously sometimes it’s about timing at away meetings.
“You need to make the most of getting a result when the home team are not at their strongest, which was the case tonight.
“My riders, all of them, came to me with concerns about the track. Work was carried out, and although initially the first two or three races proved difficult, it did get better as the meeting went on.”
WITCHES BEATEN AT HOME
IPSWICH boss Paul Hurry said it was always going to be a tough ask to defeat Leicester on a night when both Richard Lawson and Danny King were missing from the side.
The meeting went down to a last heat decider but a 5-1 to the Lions saw them complete a comeback from six points down in the prelude to the KO Cup Final between the same clubs.
Hurry said: “In the rides I had to cover for Richard using rider replacement, we only dropped a point. The cover we put in for him did its job. We knew it was going to be a tough task because we were without two of our top riders. But we did the best we could.
“They put up a hell of a fight, but that negativity before the meeting probably didn’t help matters.”
TIGERS: HOLDER ABSENCE TOUGH
SHEFFIELD manager Simon Stead was in no doubt that the long-term injury absence of No.1 Jack Holder caught up with his side last week.
Tigers were operating rider replacement for their No.1 on a night when all six Premiership clubs were in action, and they slipped to a shock defeat at home to King’s Lynn.
Stead said: “Covering Jack at No.1 with R/R is really, really difficult; we tried something a little bit different with it tonight and we covered him okay, arguably better than we did last time.
“But when you are covering your No.1 with R/R, you need everybody to be firing and be at their best and it was tough.”
FOXES STRUGGLE AT NSS
NORTHAMPTON boss Chris Adams admitted a 57-33 defeat at Belle Vue on Monday was far from the display he had been hoping for – even taking account of the Aces’ superb home form.
The Manchester club were also victorious when they travelled to the Shaleway last week, and Adams says home results are now crucial for the newcomers.
He said: “We were struggling all night really to be fair. It was a little bit embarrassing to be honest.
“We know we’re a better team than that and so far our results have been okay. We’ve just got to put this one to bed and go again.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
PREMIERSHIP leaders Belle Vue have their next two fixtures away from home, starting at King’s Lynn on Monday… Prior to that, the teams in second and third places clash as Leicester host King’s Lynn on Thursday… Sheffield bid to move back into the top four as they travel to Ipswich… The Tigers are on the road again next Monday as they make the trip to Northampton.
ALSO…
SUNDAY sees the British Semi-Final take place at Leicester’s Hydroscand Arena (2pm start) with six qualifying places up for grabs for next month’s British Final.
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
SCUNTHORPE moved to the top of the table thanks to their home win over Oxford, edging ahead of Glasgow who remain well placed with two away wins. Edinburgh secured a big victory over Redcar to consolidate third, with Plymouth going fourth after beating Berwick at home – although champions Poole have at least four matches in hand on the sides above them, with a 100 per cent record from three outings. Seventh placed Berwick are best-placed of the rest, having not lost at home, although they are yet to score on the road.
SCORPIONS HAVE BONDED
SCUNTHORPE youngster Luke Harrison has praised the team spirit at the Eddie Wright Raceway this season.
A convincing home win over Oxford last Friday took the Scorpions to the top of the Cab Direct Championship table, and they look very well-placed for the play-offs at this stage.
Harrison said: “A lot of people had their doubts over our side at the start of the year and we struggled at the beginning of the season. But we’ve really bonded as a team and the results have started to come our way.
“It’s great to see us at the top of the league and we just want to keep our form going and make sure we reach the play-offs.
“It’s going to be a tough match at home to Poole (Friday), but there’s no reason why we can’t beat them.”
MONARCHS’ PERFECT WEEKEND
EDINBURGH added three crucial league points to their play-off quest with a big home win over Redcar at Armadale on Friday.
And to complete a sensational 24 hours, the Monarchs then travelled to neighbours Glasgow in the first leg of the Scottish Cup and came away with an impressive 48-42 victory.
Heat leader Kye Thomson said: “’We did a fantastic job (at Ashfield) and we just carried on from last night.
‘Everyone was keen and we really wanted to win. It was actually quite similar to last time here, we know what to expect and what we needed to do, so it was awesome.”
TOUGH TIMES FOR CHEETAHS
OXFORD skipper Sam Masters admits life on the road has been tricky for his side this season, as they went down to a 52-38 defeat at Scunthorpe despite a 16-point haul for their No.1.
Masters said: “In terms of the team results, it’s a bit frustrating. I’ve been part of winning teams and teams that have done less well and that’s all part of the sport, but at the moment it’s hard to take.
“We are battling as a team, but it’s just not happening for us. When we lose away from home, we do need to keep it a bit closer to give us a better chance of the aggregate points.
“It’s difficult when the team is losing, but you have to make sure you’re still enjoy racing the bike and I’m making sure I do that.”
BROWN TARGETS REVENGE CLASH
GLASGOW boss Cami Brown says his side will need to step things up for their next encounter with rivals Edinburgh.
The Monarchs have enjoyed the satisfaction of two wins at Ashfield this season, the last one coming in the first leg of the Scottish Cup last Saturday.
Brown said: “Fair play to Edinburgh they thoroughly deserved the win, like they did in May. But we will need to up our game when they come back in the Cab Direct Championship later in the month.
“The only bright spot of the meeting was the performance from Mario (Hausl). He was a little unlucky in Heat 1 but basically kept us in the meeting with his other two wins. That’s much better from him.”
NO JOY FOR BANDITS
BERWICK made the long trip to Plymouth for no reward as they went down to a 55-35 defeat at a time when they have injury concerns.
Nick Morris and Jye Etheridge were both absent at the Coliseum, and with No.1 Peter Kildemand crashing out in his second ride it was always going to be an uphill battle.
Stand-in manager Jamie Courtney said: “It was a very tough night and would have been even if we hadn’t lost Peter early.
“On the few occasions we got out of the gate first the red lights seemed to come on. While I can’t question the efforts of the boys it was not the result we were looking for.”
BUSY SPELL FOR PIRATES
DEFENDING champions Poole have only raced three league matches so far this season – but that is very quickly set to change.
The Pirates return to action with a Northern tour this weekend, taking in trips to Scunthorpe on Friday and Workington on Saturday.
Meanwhile various fixture rearrangements will now see them at home at Wimborne Road for six successive Wednesdays, starting with the return against Workington on July 22.
BEARS BEATEN AT EDINBURGH
REDCAR were brought down to earth with a bump as a huge away win at Plymouth was followed less than a week later by a heavy defeat at Edinburgh.
Manager Gavin Parr admitted he was at a loss to explain the contrast in the quality of the Bears’ gating between the two matches.
He said: “It was like an Ekstraliga team versus a Development league team to that first bend, and hats off to Edinburgh.
“There was no fight to that bend unfortunately, we just haven’t battled it. There’s nothing I can say about it really!”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
CHAMPIONSHIP action resumes on Friday with leaders Scunthorpe hosting unbeaten Poole in a humdinger at the Eddie Wright Raceway… There’s also a big match at Ashfield as second placed Glasgow take on Berwick with three points at stake… Redcar cannot afford another home defeat, and Workington urgently need an away win, as those sides meet on Teesside… the Comets then face Poole at the GT Tyres Arena on Saturday… Redcar defend a 58-31 advantage at Berwick on Saturday as they look to confirm their place in another BSN Series Final.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LATEST
HOW IT STANDS
EDINBURGH’S lead at the top of the table is down to one point after Leicester’s home win over Oxford moved them into second place. King’s Lynn and Buxton are still to get off the mark.
LION CUBS ON THE CHARGE
LEICESTER raced to a 56-34 win over champions Oxford at the Hydroscand Arena – and manager Jen Crossland says league leaders Edinburgh are in their sights!
She said: “We want to win the league of course, but there’s a long way to go on that and Edinburgh will be tough.
“I think they’re the team we’ve got to look out for, but I’m absolutely delighted with our lads. The are a great bunch to work with.”
GREAT SCOTT BUT CHARGERS LOSE
OXFORD captain Jody Scott contributed 13 points at Leicester on Sunday, but his team were beaten by a strong Leicester outfit in their latest WSRA NDL fixture.
Scott said: “It was gutting to go through the tapes in Heat 13, because it would have been nice to get a maximum, but I was still happy with my own performance.
“I had a good battle with Freddy Hodder in one race. For the WSRA NDL meetings, you’ve got to use them to learn, so I was trying all the lines, and eventually I found a way to go around him.
“It will put me in good stead, ahead of coming back here on Thursday, when I’m riding for my Premiership side King’s Lynn.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
EDINBURGH have the chance to re-extend their advantage as they host King’s Lynn at Armadale on Friday… Buxton stage the Derbyshire Open – which was originally due to take place in early June – on Sunday… On the same day, Belle Vue have their second JR Ashworth & Sons Colts Academy fixture, running alongside the latest round of the 125cc British Youth Championship, with all classes of that series in action at Redcar on Saturday.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY JULY 15:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Scunthorpe OFF
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Edinburgh OFF
THURSDAY JULY 16:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Ipswich (38) v Sheffield (52) 7.30, Leicester (47) v King’s Lynn (43) 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 17:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow (44) v Berwick (46) 7.30, Redcar v Workington 7.30, Scunthorpe v Poole 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Edinburgh v King’s Lynn 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 18:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Workington v Poole 6pm
BSN SERIES SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Berwick (31) v Redcar (58) 7pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar 11am
SUNDAY JULY 19:
BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Leicester 2pm
DERBYSHIRE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Buxton 3pm
JR ASHWORTH & SONS COLTS ACADEMY & BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (125cc): Belle Vue 1pm
MONDAY JULY 20:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Northampton v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 22:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Poole v Workington 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 23:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Leicester (29) v Belle Vue (61) 7.30
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 24:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh (47) v Plymouth (43) 7.30, Oxford (37) v Berwick (53) 7.30, Scunthorpe (48) v Redcar (42) 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 25:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick (35) v Plymouth (55) 7pm, Workington (41) v Edinburgh (49) 6pm
SUNDAY JULY 26:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar (56) v Plymouth (34) 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Buxton v Leicester 3pm
MONDAY JULY 27:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Northampton (42) v King’s Lynn (48) 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Ipswich v Leicester 7.30
