There may still be a fair number of laps of speedway yet to be raced before the curtain will come down on our season, however this weekend promises to hold huge interest as we enter the final days before the top six Premier League clubs are finalised and the make-up of the play-off groupings can be confirmed.
Regardless of whether we do or don’t quite make the cut, the Allied Vehicles Tigers’ have another busy weekend to look forward to – with home and away league clashes against rivals Edinburgh – as well as still having the ability to influence the final finishing order.
Having taken an away point at Peterborough on Tuesday night, and been so very close to an even better result which would have placed us strongly, the Tigers only remaining chance of a sensational 6th place finish relies upon being the first team this season to take a 4 point win at Armadale tonight before then repeating that performance to grab maximum points when both clubs reconvene at Ashfield this Sunday – remember, start time is 5pm – although even then we would have to reply upon Workington and Peterborough somehow not quite securing the points they need from their remaining meetings scheduled tonight & tomorrow.
Tigers are expected to line-up tonight as per Tuesday, however Redcar’s Jan Graversen will wear the No.7 race jacket.
Remember that tonight is a double header meeting with Edinburgh V Redcar starting at 7pm, followed by Edinburgh V Glasgow – please consult the Edinburgh website for admission details and policy.
Whatever happens the Tigers’ have enjoyed a strong finish to our season, and a much better season of on track performances than a year ago – remember too, we are still involved in the Knock Out Cup with our quarter-final 1st leg taking place on Monday evening at Newcastle. Workington’s Mason Campton will be a reserve guest for Tigers in each of Sunday and Monday’s meetings.
The Scottish derby league matches will stand on their own though as ones riders and supporters of both clubs will look forward to. Edinburgh have clearly had the upper hand in all our meetings so far this season, and with this weekend perhaps being the final ‘East meets West’ bouts of this year, you can be certain that finishing on a high will be the target for both teams.
The Monarchs have already guaranteed their place in the league title play-offs, however they are chasing down Somerset (who complete their league programme at home to Peterborough tonight) to determine which club is 1st placed to then have first & third picks of their group semi-final opponents. Edinburgh are set to host three home meetings within 24 hours – tonight Vs Redcar & Glasgow, tomorrow Vs Newcastle – where, assuming Somerset take maximum points tonight, a 9 point haul would see them level with the Rebels’ when Edinburgh arrive at Ashfield on Sunday – therefore even just a point at Ashfield would see them finish in 1st place.
Tigers will absolutely be looking to offer up the same level of resistance which they’ve demonstrated in recent weeks, and if it is at all possible, send the red & white half of the Scottish speedway divide home with the biggest smiles come Sunday night.
Line-ups for Sunday:
GLASGOW 1 Victor Palovaara 2 Theo Pijper (C) 3 Kevin Wölbert 4 Tero Aarnio 5 Rusty Harrison 6 Kasper Lykke Nielsen 7 Mason Campton (G)
EDINBURGH 1 Craig Cook 2 Justin Sedgmen 3 Max Fricke 4 Steve Worrall 5 Sam Masters 6 Aaron Fox 7 Derek Sneddon (C)
So, for quite possibly the final time this season, we are calling on Tigers’ fans everywhere to make use of the later start time of 5 pm and to head along to Ashfield to become that ‘8th man’ and to roar on the Tigers’ to a late season derby success.
Will Rusty master Sam?
Can Theo out max Fricke?
Will Kevin be too hot for Cook?
Surely Kasper can out fox Aaron?
Team Tiger, we call upon you once again, for another backs-to-the-wall derby occasion – please help us spread the word
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See you on Sunday for tapes-up @ 5pm. More stunning and spectacular speedway action awaits you.
In other news …
Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund
We plan to take our annual collection this Sunday in support of the SRBF which provides invaluable financial support for injured (both short term and long term) speedway riders and their families here in the UK.
We plan to hold a short interval after heat 10 at which point the riders from both teams will come amongst you to collect donations – thank you very much in advance.
Eat, drink, dance, laugh and be merry!
It is now only 5 weeks until our first supporters end-of-season dinner dance! If you still haven’t booked your place then PLEASE make a point of doing so on Sunday – make a point of speaking with Sheena Downie or Glen Marsland at the GTSSC stand as you enter/exit the stadium on Sunday, a £10 deposit secures (tickets are priced at £35 non-members, £32 members). Alternatively please email the GTSSC Committee at gtssc@hotmail.co.uk
Apart from the eating, drinking, dancing and laughing you will also be able to mingle with fellow fans, club officials and riders and be there to see which riders collect the supporters club awards and trophies. All our riders are expected to attend, including Dimitri who will travel to the event before taking his equipment back home to France. It is also expected that there will be some important announcements and information to be shared on the night.
Please do make every effort to attend – you deserve it!
Theo’s Testimonial
The skipper may well have postponed his testimonial race meeting until 2015, however it is still full steam ahead with fund raising fun events until then!
First up is a Testimonial Night offering live entertainment and buffet! This takes place on Saturday, 27th September within Lynch’s Bar Function Suite, London Road, Gallowgate. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets – available from the track shop – priced at just £10. Why not plan to spend a Saturday night with fellow speedway fans, and Theo himself, pick up your ticket on Sunday.
The track shop is also the place to purchase a Theo’s Testimonial raffle ticket which can win you an all expenses paid day of speedway training at Northside Training track!
Strictly Shale
Speedway observer and author Jeff Scott will be at Ashfield on Sunday to promote his latest speedway production ‘Strictly Shale’ – described as “a most unusual photography book” and “a unique record of the drive and passion of ordinary people pursuing an extraordinary sport”
More information can be found here