THE BRITISH Speedway Network celebrates three years of broadcasting with the Cab Direct Championship BIG weekend.
It’s set to be an epic 48 hours of action with the Championship Pairs at Workington on Saturday followed by the Championship League Riders’ Championship at Scunthorpe on Sunday, both live on BSN.
All nine clubs compete in the Pairs, and as in recent years there will be no ‘group’ stage as all race four times in an 18-heat schedule.
The top four Pairs, on the 4-3-2-0 scoring system, qualify for the semi-finals, with the ‘winners’ of those races then meeting in the Final.
Home club Workington are represented by Troy Batchelor and Tate Zischke, whilst Redcar’s defence of the silverware sees recent Bears returnee Erik Riss team up with Charles Wright.
Comets boss James Denham said: “It’s a huge boost for the club and the local area to be hosting the Pairs, and we’re expecting an incredible atmosphere and a big turnout.
“It’s going to be a day of top-class racing, with some of the best riders in the league going head-to-head, and we’re delighted to have a really strong pairing in Troy and Tate representing the Comets.
“Troy’s experience and ability are unquestionable – he’s ridden at the very highest level and knows exactly what it takes to win big meetings like this.
“Tate, meanwhile, is one of the most exciting young riders in the sport right now. He’s shown immense determination to get back from his injuries last season, and he’s getting better with every lap.
“We believe they have the ability to be serious contenders, but the home support will be massive for them, and if they can get off to a strong start, there’s no reason they can’t be right in the mix for the title.
“We’re looking forward to a fantastic event, and hopefully, we can celebrate a record SEVENTH Comets victory in the event at the end of it.”
A PLYMOUTH: Nicolai Klindt & Ben Barker
B WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor & Tate Zischke
C BERWICK: Drew Kemp & Craig Cook
D GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Kyle Howarth
E OXFORD: Sam Masters & Jordan Jenkins
F SCUNTHORPE: Steve Worrall & Simon Lambert
G REDCAR: Charles Wright & Erik Riss
H POOLE: Lewis Kerr & Zach Cook
I EDINBURGH: Justin Sedgmen & Paco Castagna
Stream the Championship Pairs live on BSN here
THEN on Sunday all roads lead to the Eddie Wright Raceway for the Championship League Riders’ Championship.
Traditionally staged much later in the campaign, the early season date has been selected in order to achieve the strongest possible field, following significant omissions due to injuries and unavailability in recent years.
Steve Worrall, who is back after a lay-off due to illness last year, and has rejoined the Scorpions in the Championship, represents the home club along with Jake Allen, whilst Redcar’s Charles Wright and Oxford’s Sam Masters are both recent winners of the meeting.
The line-up also includes Glasgow captain Chris Harris, who has yet to taste victory in a CLRC, and Poole No.1 Richard Lawson who has the highest starting average in the Championship this last season.
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic line-up for the Championship League Riders’ Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway, featuring all the best riders in the Cab Direct Championship.
“It’s a real honour to be staging this meeting, and I hope plenty of fans travel to both the Championship Pairs at Workington on the Saturday and the CLRC at Scunthorpe on the Sunday. It’s going to be a fabulous weekend of speedway, and it will get the season going with a bang.”
CLRC DRAW: 1 Craig Cook (Berwick), 2 Jake Allen (Scunthorpe), 3 Justin Sedgmen (Edinburgh), 4 Ben Barker (Plymouth), 5 Sam Masters (Oxford), 6 Kyle Howarth (Glasgow) 7 Danny King (Redcar), 8 Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe), 9 Troy Batchelor (Workington), 10 Richard Lawson (Poole), 11 Dan Thompson (Glasgow), 12 Erik Riss (Redcar) 13 Lewis Kerr (Poole), 14 Chris Harris (Glasgow), 15 Charles Wright (Redcar), 16 Tate Zischke (Workington).
Stream the CLRC live on BSN here
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.