Another Bank holiday weekend beckons, and yet another tall challenge awaits the Allied Vehicles Tigers as we host Redcar Bears this Sunday, with more Premier League points up for grabs.
Having made a respectable start to our league campaign – a strong effort to narrowly lose out on an away point at Redcar, as well as that crucial first win of the season against Peterborough – naturally we now wish to keep the momentum going by taking full points over the Bears on Sunday.
Of course the Tigers task has been made all the more difficult by having to implement the Rider Replacement facility to cover for the injury absence of Dimitri Berge (see below for latest details on Dimitri) with his programmed rides due to be taken by Mark, Anders and Kasper. We all know that Dimitri was in excellent form of late having top scored for the team in our previous 3 meetings, therefore we will do well to compensate for his absence on Sunday.
The visitors have shown very mixed form so far this season however their line-up suggests that we will have to be at our sharpest and most consistent if we are to edge them out by the end of heat 15 on Sunday.
With Richard Lawson and Aaron Summers alone, there is enough Ashfield scoring pedigree to win heats and give the Bears every chance of keeping the scoreline close. Add in the capabilities of potent reserve Jan Graversen, the experience of Carl Wilkinson and Hugh Skidmore, and the unknown quantities in the form of Luke Crang and Pole Rafal Konopka, and you can quickly see that Sunday’s meeting has all the potential for being unpredictable and exciting.
For the Tigers, all riders are fit and well with no ill effects from last Sunday’s various knocks. Anders and Kasper are due to race in Denmark & Germany this weekend before making their way back to Scotland, and Theo is due to guest for Scunthorpe at Armadale this evening.
Tapes up as ever at 3pm (with gates open from 2pm).
Dimitri Update
We can confirm that Dimitri remains in hospital, still within the high dependency unit for continuing observation purposes. There remains the possibility of transferring him to another hospital within the city for further specialist care.
Glasgow co-promoter Colin Hamilton has visited Dimitri and his family a couple of times this week, supported by Alison Chalmers, and will update supporters as to the very latest situation on Sunday afternoon.
Tigers Merchandise
Quick reminder that supporters who have ordered clothing items (prior to last Sunday) should now arrange to collect these from our track shop on the 4th bend.
If you haven’t yet paid a visit to the track shop this season please make a point of doing so in order to look over the excellent range of items available this season – Colin and Margaret will look after you well.
To wear and display, in addition to the new club soft-shell jackets (2 designs available), we also have hoodies, polo shirts (2 designs available), short sleeved ‘pits’ shirts (2 designs available), baseball caps (2 types) and scarves (it’s still chilly!).
We also have a new for 2014 club enamel pin badge (available in 4 designs), new programme boards (available in 4 designs), Ashfield Action DVDs (copies of our meeting with Peterborough will be available on Sunday), Tigers pens, flags, rider photos, air horns (with refills), fridge magnets, phone covers, stickers and more besides!
Remember you an also pick up a copy of Speedway Star from the track shop.
Tigers 10 Match Ticket
Thanks to those of you who have taken advantage of the chance to save a little money via purchase of a 10 Match Ticket, priced at £150..
If anyone (these are applicable to adults only) wishes to pre-purchase 10 meetings worth of action here at Ashfield (not applicable to BSPA and/or testimonial or benefit events) then, in the first instance, please contact the club by email to info@glasgowtigers.co
So, with a decent weekend of weather ahead, the scene is once again set for more pulsating laps of full throttle action at Ashfield this Sunday – can the weakened Tigers out pace the Bears and add more league points to our early season tally?
Look forward to seeing, and hearing, you on Sunday.