WELCOME to the latest edition of the weekly BSPA bulletins keeping you in touch with news, views and fixtures from the tracks up and down the country.
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes says the Bees will show no complacency when they ! contest the second leg of the Craven Shield Final at home to Lakeside on Friday - starting with a four point lead courtesy of last week's away win at Purfleet.
Oakes said: "To win the Craven Shield would keep the run going for us, but we won't take the second leg for granted.
"We know what AJ (Andreas Jonsson) can do around Coventry, he's as good around there as he is at Lakeside, but Thursday was a terrific performance on a track where we've been notoriously poor in the past."
EASTBOURNE chief Bob Dugard admits the club must step up their sponsorship drive for next season after a difficult end to the current campaign.
The Eagles are hoping to wrap things up on a high when they take on Poole in the Knockout Cup Final this weekend.
Dugard said: "Sponsorship has been very poor and that has become a vital part of speedway. Most other tracks in the main do a lot better than us on that issue."
IPSWICH rider-manager Chris Louis has hinted that Polish star Piotr Swiderski could extend his stay at Foxhall.
Louis said: "We have spoken to Peterborough about Piotr. He has done fantastic for us this season and of course Danny (King) is with the Panthers. There could perhaps be a swap, but we are a way off that happening yet."
LAKESIDE owner Stuart Douglas is urging his side to end the season on high as they attempt to win at Coventry in the Craven Shield Final after losing the home leg 47-43.
Douglas said: "The events of the last few weeks have taken their toll and to say that Jon Cook and I are gutted is a total understatement.
"I expect nothing less than a total, all-out assault of Coventry next Friday for the return leg, where Ricky (Kling) is capable of riding extremely well, and (Krzysztof) Jablonski should find to his liking also."
PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Mick Bratley praised Polish youngster Karol Zabik, who completed a turbulent season on a high to help the Panthers avoid the final relegation play-off.
Bratley said: "Karol has been an absolute model professional since we cleared the air with him. His form has been nothing short of astounding.
"I will be the first to admit, I had my doubts about him, but we have managed to bring the best out of him."
POOLE promoter Matt Ford hopes to round off a vintage season by completing a League and Cup double with aggregate victory over Eastbourne this weekend.
Ford said: "If we can replicate that atmosphere again on the 26th then I am sure our riders will be well up to perform with the same passion as they displayed in the play-off finals, and indeed have done all season.
"It would be the icing on the cake if we could be sign off this campaign in the best possible way."
WOLVERHAMPTON owner Chris Van Straaten has been warned to expect a rough reception from Edinburgh in the first leg of the promotion/relegation showdown in Scotland on Friday.
Nervous Wolves, who have booked club asset and Armadale spe! cialist James Grieves as a replacement for the injured Morten Risager on Friday, are looking to keep the score tight before returning to Monmore Green for the second leg next Monday, October 27.
Said Van Straaten: “Edinburgh will be up for promotion. They’ve had a great season with great crowds and, of course, there is the lure of a big financial reward for moving up into the Elite League. It’s going to be tough for us.”
