FOLLOWING their home match versus Eastbourne on Thursday, the Robins will participate in their second fixture at Blunsdon in four days on Sunday 23 March, when they come face-to-face with Coventry in the first leg of the Elite Shield at the earlier than usual start time of 6.00 p.m.
And, as an added treat for the younger supporters on the night, the Swindon management will be giving away 500 boxed Easter Eggs on a strictly first come, first served basis, once the turnstiles are opened.
The Elite Shield contest is very similar to football’s Community Shield, pitting together the top two teams from the previous year’s campaign, usually the Elite League Champions against the Knock-Out Cup victors.
As all Swindon supporters will recall, the Bees won all of the major end-of-season silverware, with the Robins finishing as runners-up on each occasion, so once again, the two teams will meet to decide the destination of another trophy.
The success of the all-conquering 2007 Coventry side meant it was inevitable that the Bees would be forced to weaken their squad in order to field a team under the new points-limit. They have, however, managed to successfully retain a familiar look, despite being hit hard by the new regulations.
Their three casualties were Scott Nicholls, Steve Johnston and Martin Smolinski, as the Warwickshire side pursued a policy of youth over experience. The services of Chris Harris, Rory Schlein, Olly Allen and Billy Janniro were retained and joined by new recruits Simon Stead, Andreas Messing and Stanislaw Burza.
The most talked about addition to the side was that of Stead, who slots into to the third heat-leader role, whilst Messing and Burza fill the reserve berths. Chris Harris assumes the role of captain and will be leading Coventry’s quest to defend the three titles they acquired last term.
Meanwhile, Ben Barker completes the Bees’ squad in the No. 8 position, to be called upon as and when required.
Robins’ team manager Alun Rossiter has made a change to the riding order for the matches against the Bees, moving mega-popular Dane Mads Korneliussen from the No. 2 position to No. 4, with James Wright trading places to partner skipper Leigh Adams.
Commenting ahead of the clash, Rosco said: “Obviously, the Bees won all three competitions last season, beating us in the final on each occasion. However, we are out to prove a point on Sunday and it would be great to build up a nice advantage for the second leg at Brandon.
“Like us, Coventry have had to lose riders to fit within the new points-limit, but they still look to be a good side. This is a bit like an early-season cup final and the lads will be well up for the challenge, of that I am quite sure.”
VISITORS FACTFILE: COVENTRY BUILDBASE BEES
Olly ALLEN
DOB: 27 May 1982, Norwich, Norfolk.
FORMER Swindon rider, who was plagued by injury last year and was subsequently unable to muster the impressive levels of consistency he enjoyed with the Bees in 2006. During his injury-free spells, Allen was called into the Great Britain squad for the World Cup and also collected a top six finish in the British Final. The twenty-five-year-old became a Coventry asset during the winter in a swap deal that saw Morten Risager join Swindon on a full contract.
Stanislaw BURZA
DOB: 26 September 1977, Tarnow, Poland.
THE Polish rider becomes a fully-fledged Elite League rider in 2008, after previously occupying the No. 8 berth, at various times, for Oxford and Coventry. Burza’s 2007 campaign was curtailed prematurely by a nasty foot injury suffered whilst riding for Berwick in the Premier League. A real stalwart of Polish speedway, who has enjoyed a successful career back in his homeland and, on paper, should improve upon his starting average this term.
Chris HARRIS
DOB: 28 November 1982, Truro, Cornwall.
MEGA-popular Cornishman, who enjoyed a memorable 2007 campaign that saw him excel on both the domestic and international stage. His rise through the Bees’ ranks has been text-book and Harris now finds himself wearing the captain’s armband following Scott Nicholls’ departure to Eastbourne. Undoubtedly, one of the most flamboyant racers in world speedway today and a proven Blunsdon track expert, meaning that ‘Bomber’ will almost certainly catch the eye once again on Sunday evening.
Billy JANNIRO
DOB: 30 July 1980, Vallejo, California, USA.
COLOURFUL Californian, who returns to Coventry for an eighth successive season and continues to make steady progression in Elite League racing. Janniro is best known for his displays of tenacity, breathtaking bravery and the ability to conjure a lightning getaway from the tapes. His Blunsdon performances over the past few seasons have been varied, but ‘BJ’ has the ability to contribute a double-points haul on Sunday.
Andreas MESSING
DOB: 28 January 1987, Hallstavik, Sweden.
HIGHLY-rated Swedish youngster, who has limited British experience, but displayed enough potential during his short spell with Lakeside in 2007 to encourage Coventry to recruit his services. The twenty-one-year-old forms an interesting looking reserve partnership with Stanislaw Burza and will be keen to do well for the Bees.
Rory SCHLEIN
DOB: 1 September 1984, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
THE Australian will be keen to make 2008 the year he begins to stamp his authority on world speedway’s international competition. Schlein has made notable progress with Coventry, but can still be a tad inconsistent at times. Super-fast from the tapes and a unique racing style make the ‘Roo Boy’ instantly recognizable on the track. Begins the season as the Bees’ second heat-leader and will be looking to add at least a point to his average.
Simon STEAD
DOB: 25 April 1982, Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
STEAD’S transfer from Belle Vue to Coventry was one of the winter’s most discussed moves. The British youngster endured a frustrating 2007 campaign, which was blighted by injury and misfortune. His natural talent is vast, but a series of factors have halted his predicted progression. However, the British international will want to rediscover a sense of momentum with the Bees. Extremely quick around the Abbey Stadium raceway, as proved when he collected victory alongside Jason Crump for Belle Vue in the 2006 Elite League Pairs Championship at Blunsdon.
SWINDON MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD
SUNDAY'S Swindon Man of the Match Award is kindly sponsored by S & P Installation Services. Their proprietor, Pete Deller, is a member of the Legends’ Lounge and has followed the Robins since 1969. Pete has also been in involved with the club as a member of the Blunsdon track staff in the past. His business, S & P Installations, supply labour to the shop-fitting industry and the small, family-run, Swindon-based business specialise in installing checkouts and multiple shelving for the retail sector.
VIP PACKAGES
SWINDON Speedway pride themselves in offering one of the best VIP packages in sport, where both the ardent fan and the complete newcomer can enjoy a superb evening of fast and furious entertainment, alongside exclusive pre-meeting pit-walks, and a table in the newly refurbished Legends’ Lounge.
Bookings for these packages have increased year-on-year and already a large number of companies have booked team nights out and meeting sponsorships for the 2008 season. Tickets are available by calling Commercial Manager Paul Oughton on 01305 755607 or via e-mail at: paul.oughton@swindon-speedway.co.uk
TEAMS FOR SUNDAY 23 MARCH, Engines Start 6.00 p.m.
SWINDON ROBINS (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Leigh Adams (Captain, 10.30); 2. James Wright (4.73); 3. Troy Batchelor (5.74); 4. Mads Korneliussen (5.18); 5. Travis McGowan (5.34); 6. Theo Pijper (3.70); 7. Seb Alden (3.84). Team manager: Alun Rossiter.
COVENTRY BUILDBASE BEES (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Rory Schlein (7.74); 2. Olly Allen (5.30); 3. Chris Harris (Captain, 7.78); 4. Billy Janniro (5.17); 5. Simon Stead (6.73); 6. Andreas Messing (3.00); 7. Stanislaw Burza (3.12). Team managers: Colin Pratt & Peter Oakes.
Referee: R. Allan.
SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.
SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE BY ROBERT BAMFORD
SWINDON SPEEDWAY PRESS OFFICER
EMAIL: Rbamfordspeedway@aol.com
TEL: 01666 823469
OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE: www.swindon-speedway.co.uk
OFFICIAL CLUB HOTLINE: 09068 664682 (Premium rate applies)
