With the dust now well and truly settled on our odds defying win over Rye House last Sunday, the Allied Vehicles Tigers are gearing up for a busy four day period which is likely to determine whether they can further defy the odds by making the cut for the league title play-offs – with our run in pairing us with sides very much in the top end of the table, we have little room for slip-ups if we are to achieve the previously unimaginable.
The Tigers will now be back at full strength as we look forward to facing Workington – themselves chasing a play-off place – in home and away clashes this weekend, before we then head back South on Tuesday to make our first league appearance of this millennium at Peterborough, themselves very much in the mix for a play-off spot.
First up then is a trip, tomorrow night, to Derwent Park, Workington, the very scene of our sensational away win just a fortnight ago. We realise that the home side will be very much on their toes to guard against any repeat home reversal which would strike them a huge blow as they chase a late flurry of league points ahead of the cut-off date of 14th September. That said, it was a very solid team showing from the Tigers just those couple of weeks back, which saw us claim our first win on the road this season, and sparked faint hopes of us yet sneaking into a top six finish.
We will travel to Cumbria boosted by that morale rallying win against the Rockets’, and will again look for Theo and Rusty to perform strongly against the Comets, this time with the back-up from Kevin, Kasper and former Comet Tero who looked far more confident around Ashfield on Sunday. Tigers will be without Victor for this trip as he has been called up to compete in the Swedish U21 Final at Norkkoping, however he will return to face the Comets at Ashfield on Sunday. Former Comet Chris Mills will guest for us as reserve tomorrow night, in the first of a double header as the Comets then face Somerset who have booked Rusty Harrison who is in for a very busy night!
Regardless of what happens on Saturday night, both sides will reconvene at Ashfield on Sunday afternoon (start time 3pm) with everything to race for. Workington, still smarting from being turned over by the Tigers last month, are certain to seek to avenge that result around a circuit which they’ve already tasted success in the League Cup back in May. With former Tigers Josh Grajczonek, Mason Campton and Joe Jacobs in their side, and with the additional rider talent of Ricky Wells and Rene Bach, it is clear to see that Sunday’s meeting is going to be as tough as they come. Certainly Tigers top 3 will need to be very much on their game to counter the Comets top end strength.
Full 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 Rafal Konopka (G)
WORKINGTON 1 Josh Grajczonek 2 Ricky Wells 3 Rene Bach (C) 4 Mason Campton 5 Kyle Howarth 6 Joe Jacobs 7 Simon Lambert
Workington have tended to be a bogey side in the Ashfield era, and having already won in Glasgow this season, they will as ever provide a stern test for us this weekend. However, with the Tigers having so recently won in Cumbria, and with some battling performances of our own in recent weeks around Ashfield, there will be some quiet confidence in the Glasgow camp that we can, once again, overcome the challenge and come out on top – one thing is absolutely guaranteed on Sunday, there will be yet more thrilling, full throttle speedway and high-tension for everyone to savour – if your nerves can take it, be there!!
We are again calling on ALL supporters to come out in force on Sunday, let’s make it an exciting and atmospheric final month of the season – now is the time to show your backing to Team Tiger.
The Glasgow and Workington riders will be seeing a lot of one another this week as, in addition to our home and away league meetings, both sides feature in a double-header at Peterborough on Tuesday evening with Tigers first-up to face the Panthers. Tigers have booked Adam Ellis as our guest reserve for Tuesday’s meeting.
In other news
Fixture & Start Time changes
We’re now beginning to slot in all our outstanding, previously weather affected fixtures!
We will now face Newcastle in our Knock Out Cup Quarter-Final ties as follows, 1st leg, Monday 15th September (at Newcastle), 2nd leg, Sunday 28th September (at Glasgow).
Please note that next Sunday (14th September), our Premier League meeting with Edinburgh will now start at 5pm. This decision follows the success of our previous trialling of a slightly later Sunday start time, and once again we hope that it proves to be of benefit in allowing more supporters of both clubs to attend what may well be the final official fixture visit of the Monarchs this season – we’ll preview this meeting more fully next week.
Before next Sunday Tigers will now complete our outstanding league fixture – as part of a double header with Redcar – at Armadale a week tonight, Friday 12th September. Please see Edinburgh’s website for details of amended start time, admission prices and arrangements.
Rider Availability
As you will realise, no one at the club was in any way comfortable with the enforced situation last Sunday as three of our regular team were committed elsewhere. With Kasper/Victor’s U21 European Championship Final having to be rescheduled due to rain, early indications suggested that we may well again have to race without those lads here against the Monarchs next Sunday.
Whilst there appears to be some remaining confusion (dates have appeared on several websites which disagree with what the riders themselves had originally been told) as to exactly when this event will eventually be restaged, what we can now confirm is that both Kasper and Victor WILL be here at Ashfield next Sunday!!
We will update you further when we are more certain as to when the U21 event will be, and to indicate if this may cause us any impact.
Party with Pijper!
The skipper may well have postponed his Testimonial Meeting itself, however expect to hear about a number of Theo related events – all in support of his big day – in the coming weeks and months.
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.
End of Season Dinner Dance
We’re now well into September, and suddenly October and our end-of-season event – the first for a couple of years – feels a whole lot closer!!
Saturday, 18th October is a date for your diary and your opportunity to celebrate all things Glasgow Speedway as riders, supporters, sponsors and club officials come together to let their hair down after the stresses and challenges of the season.
The plush Eagle Lodge in Bishopbriggs (directly opposite the Asda) is this year’s venue. The event includes a delightful 3 course meal, live music, dancing and all the riders end of season interviews and reflections. The GTSSC will also be making their traditional annual presentations of trophies to this year’s recipients.
Tickets are available now, priced £35 (£3 discount available to GTSSC members), with just a £10 deposit required to secure your place – we would urge that you make a point of speaking with either of Sheena Downie or Glenn Marsland who you will find situated at the GTSSC stand (adjacent to the main stand exit stairs) before/after racing on Sunday.
At the time of writing we anticipate that this event will be a ‘must be there’ night with some key announcements to be made – please, don’t miss out.