Blog

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators start a busy week of Cab Direct Championship action when they take on The Redcar Bears at the ECCO Arena tonight (tapes up 7.30pm)

With Number 1 Nico Covatti ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Gladiators bring in Drew Kemp as a guest. whilst the Bears operate rider replacement for Dan Gilkes

Following the clash against the Bears, the Gladiators then return to The Coliseum on Saturday when they take on the Poole Pirates (tapes up 7pm)

Teams for Friday 

Redcar Bears

1. Charles Wright 2. Dan Gilkes R/R 3. Danyon Hume (G) 4. Jason Edwards 5. Danny King 6. Ben Trigger 7. Jake Mulford 

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators

1. Drew Kemp (G) 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Dan Thompson 4. Patrick Baek 5. Ben Barker 6. Joe Thompson 7. Jacob Hook

Image credit: Dan Westlake

Dan Thompson and Ben Barker will represent The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators in the Championship Pairs which takes place at Oxford Speedway tonight (Friday).

All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are represented in the major event which has its traditional place on the calendar the day before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.

Glasgow are defending champions and have recent signing Anders Rowe joining skipper Chris Harris, who was part of their winning combination last year, whilst the hosts track a formidable combination of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m sure an amazing night is ahead. I am delighted that Oxford Stadium is staging the Championship Pairs for a third successive season.

“It’s fabulous for this stadium to stage big events like this – it’s great for Kevin (Boothby), for Jamie (Courtney), for everyone involved with our club.

“The last two stagings have been hotly contested and this year’s line-up looks better than ever. It’s a very tough line-up and no-one can be under-estimated.

“I believe Oxford is a very fair racetrack and that gives everyone a chance of success. Of course, I wish to see Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters win it for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs and that would be terrific for our own supporters. But every club can start their Cardiff weekend in style.”

All nine pairs take four rides over an 18-heat format, with 4-3-2-0 scoring, and the top four pairs then progress to the semi-finals and Final where the highest-scoring pair in each race are the winners.

Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45-6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.

Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/ .

Tickets are priced at adults £22, children (11-15) £5 and under-11s free. Free car parking is available at the Unipart car park while availability lasts. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.

Line-up:

PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker and Dan Thompson
BERWICK: Lewis Kerr and Drew Kemp
GLASGOW: Chris Harris and Anders Rowe
REDCAR: Charles Wright and Danny King
EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering and Paco Castagna
WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor and Antti Vuolas
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft and Kyle Howarth
POOLE: Richard Lawson and Ben Cook
OXFORD: Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk

The Plymouth ProPark Gladiators moved off the bottom of the Cab Direct Championship table with a 49-40 victory over The Glasgow Tigers, in another close encounter at The Coliseum.

Tigers skipper Chris Harris set the tone of the meeting, breaking the track record in heat one, before The Gladiators took control, leading by 8 points after heat nine. Glasgow clawed their way back into the meeting following a tactical ride by Harris in heat 11, before leveling the scores by heat 13.

The penultimate heat caused controversy after James Pearson fell in the initial race, before Glasgow guest Jordan Jenkins was then excluded in the re-run, following a clash with Baek.  

The resulting 5-0 and a 5-1 heat advantage in the nominated heat 15 from Ben Barker and Dan Thompson sealed victory for the Gladiators.

Plymouth Gladiators = 49 (81)

1. Nico Covatti R/R

2. Alfie Bowtell – 1′, 3, 3, 2, 0 = 9+1

3. Dan Thompson – 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2′ = 11+1

4. Patrick Baek – 0, 1′, 2′, 2′ = 5+3

5. Ben Barker – 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 3 = 14

6. Joe Thompson – 3, 0, 2′, 0, 0 = 5+1

7. Jacob Hook – 1, 1, 0, 3 = 5

Glasgow Tigers = 40 (98)

1. Chris Harris – 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 1 = 15

2. Jack Smith – 0, X, R, 1′ = 1+1

3. Jason Edwards (G) – 3, 2′, 1, 2′, 0 = 8+2

4. Jordan Jenkins (G) – 1, 3, 3, X = 7

5. Anders Rowe (G) – 2, 2, 1, 1 = 6

6. James Pearson – 2, 1, 0, FX = 3

7. Jody Scott (G) – 0, 0, 0 = 0

Heat Results

Heat 01: Harris, Barker, Bowtell, Smith. 3-3…51.49 NEW TRACK RECORD

Heat 02: J Thompson, Pearson, Hook, Scott. (4-2)…7-5…54.91

Heat 03: Edwards, D Thompson, Jenkins, Baek. (2-4)…9-9…54.24

Heat 04: Barker, Rowe, Hook, Scott. (4-2)…13-11…54.21

Heat 05 (Re-Run): Harris, D Thompson, Baek, Smith (Excluded). (3-3)…16-14…51.84

Heat 06: Bowtell, Rowe, D Thompson, Scott. (4-2)…20-16…53.67

Heat 07: Jenkins, Edwards, Barker, J Thompson. (1-5)…21-21…52.49

Heat 08: Bowtell, J Thompson, Pearson, Smith (Retired). (5-1)…26-22…53.93

Heat 09: D Thompson, Baek, Rowe, Pearson. (5-1)…31-23…53.41

Heat 10: Jenkins, Bowtell, Edwards, J Thompson. (2-4)…33-27…53.17

Heat 11: Barker, Harris, Smith, J Thompson. (3-3)…36-30…54.10

Heat 12: Harris, Edwards, D Thompson, Hook. (1-5)…37-35…54.00

Heat 13: Harris, Barker, Rowe, Bowtell. (2-4)…39-39…53.06

Heat 14 (Re-Run X2): Hook, Baek, Jenkins (Excluded), Pearson (Fell, Excluded). (5-0)…44-39…54.01

Heat 15: Barker, D Thompson, Harris, Edwards. (5-1)…49-40…53.81

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Dan Westlake

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators return to Cab Direct Championship action this evening when they take on The Glasgow Tigers at The Coliseum (tapes up 7pm) where victory would see the home team move off the bottom of the Championship table.

The Gladiators will use either a guest or rider replacement at No.1 for the injured Nico Covatti, whilst the Tigers, led by Chris Bomber Harris, bring in Jason Edwards and Jordan Jenkins to replace Leon Flint and Matic Ivacic who ride in the European Pairs qualifier at Stralsund. Anders Rowe and Jody Scott come in for the injured  Steve Worrall and Jason Garrad.

The Championship clash is followed by the 250cc round of the British Youth Championship, with Cooper Rushen, Seth Norman, Archie Rolph, Ollie Binns, Charlie Southwick competing alongside Devon based Jayden Bailey, who makes his 250cc competitive debut.

Teams:

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators:

1. R/R or guest 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Dan Thompson 4. Patrick Baek 5. Ben Barker 6. Joe Thompson 7. Jacob Hook.

Glasgow Tigers

1. Chris Harris 2. Jack Smith 3. Jason Edwards 4. Jordan Jenkins 5. Anders Rowe6. James Pearson 7.  Jody Scott.

Meeting Info:

Gates Open: 5:45pm

Tapes Up: 7pm

Admission: (Cash only at the gate, no cards)

Adults Seating £20

Adults Standing £18

11-17 Years £11

Under 11 Free.

For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Gladiators Live. Click here for full information. Please note this is the only official stream, all other links are spam, please do not click them.

The Plymouth ProwPark delivered a spirited away performance in the Cab Direct Championship, eventually losing 39-51 against The Oxford Cheetahs.

Cheered on by the fantastic away support from a large number of Gladiators fans, the Gladiators again kept in touch throughout the meeting, and were only four points down after heat 12 following another 5-1 by the Thompson twins.

Despite a shared heat 14, the firepower of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls proved to be the downfall for The Gladiators however, with the Cheetah’s top two delivering two 5-1 heat advantages in heats 13 and 15 to help the Cheetahs take victory on the night.

Dan Thompson again top scored for The Gladiators with a superb 15 points, backed by brother Joe (8+1) and Alfie Bowtell with 6.

Oxford Cheetahs = 51

1. Sam Masters – 3, 3, 2, 2′, 3 = 13+1

2. Cameron Heeps – 1, 2′, 3, 1′ = 7+2 

3. Ashton Boughen – 1′, 0, 0, 1 = 2+1

4. Jordan Jenkins – 2, 2, 2, 2 = 8

5. Scott Nicholls – 2′, 3, 3, 3, 2′ = 13+2

6. Luke Killeen – 2, 3, 1, 1, 1′ = 8+1

7. Jody Scott – F, R, 0 = 0 

Plymouth Gladiators = 39

1. Jason Edwards (G) – 2, 1, 2, 1, 0 = 6

2. Alfie Bowtell – 0, 3, 2, 0 = 5 

3. Dan Thompson – 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1 = 15

4. Patrick Baek – 0, 1′, 0 = 1+1 

5. Ben Barker – 0, 1, 1, 0 = 2 

6. Joe Thompson – 3, 0, 2′, 3 = 8+1

7. Jacob Hook – 1, 1, 0, 0 = 2

Heat Results

Heat 01: Masters, Edwards, Heeps, Bowtell 4-2 59.00

Heat 02: J. Thompson, Killeen, Hook, Scott (F) 2-4 (6-6) 60.56

Heat 03: D. Thompson, Jenkins, Boughen, Baek 3-3 (9-9) 59.39

Heat 04: Killeen, Nicholls, Hook, Barker 5-1 (14-10) 60.39

Heat 05: Bowtell, Jenkins, Edwards, Boughen 2-4 (16-14) 61.22

Heat 06: Masters, Heeps, Barker, J. Thompson 5-1 (21-15) 60.39

Heat 07: Nicholls, D. Thompson, Baek, Scott (R) 3-3 (24-18) 59.83

Heat 08: Heeps, Bowtell, Killeen, Hook 4-2 (28-20) 61.23

Heat 09: D. Thompson, Jenkins, Barker, Boughen 2-4 (30-24) 60.49

Heat 10: D. Thompson, Masters, Heeps, Baek 3-3 (33-27) 60.60

Heat 11: Nicholls, Edwards, Killeen, Bowtell 4-2 (37-29) 60.67

Heat 12: D. Thompson, J. Thompson, Boughen, Scott 1-5 (38-34) 61.71

Heat 13: Nicholls, Masters, Edwards, Barker 5-1 (43-35) 60.96

Heat 14: J. Thompson, Jenkins, Killeen, Hook 3-3 (46-38) 61.93

Heat 15: Masters, Nicholls, D. Thompson, Edwards 5-1 (51-39) 60.52

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Les Aubrey

Following on from their hard fought victory over the Scunthorpe Scorpions last Saturday, the Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators return to Cab Direct Championship action when they take on The Oxford Cheetahs (Wednesday 7th August, tapes up 7.30pm).

The Gladiators, who ran the Cheetahs close in the BSN Southern series earlier in the season eventually losing 46-44, bring in Jason Edwards as guest for injured number 1 Nico Covatti.

Jody Scott comes in at reserve for the Cheetahs, in place of the injured Adam Roynon, who in turn is a replacement for the recently retired Henry Atkins. 

Wednesday Teams

Monarch Oxford Cheetahs

1. Sam Masters 2.Cameron Heeps  3. Ashton Boughen 4. Jordan Jenkins 5. Scott Nicholls (C), 6. Luke Killeen 7. Jody Scott.

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators

1. Jason Edwards (G) 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Dan Thompson 4. Patrick Baek 5. Ben Barker (C) 6.Joe Thompson, 7. Jacob Hook.

Image credit: Dan Westlake.

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators took the league points with a 46-43 victory over The Scunthorpe Scorpions, in another close fought encounter at The Coliseum.

In a nip and tuck meeting, the Gladiators found themselves a point down at heat 11, before two successive maximum heat advantages first by the Thompson twins, followed by Ben Barker and Zach Cook, saw them regain control to lead by seven points heading into heat 14.  

The penultimate race saw former Gladiator Kyle Howarth, in as a tactical sub, join forces with Connor Mountain to deliver the Scorpions own maximum heat advantage, leaving the nominated heat 15 with all to play for, but a shared 3-3 saw the Gladiators take victory on the night, with the Scorpions securing the aggregate bonus point. 

Joe Thompson continued his rich vein of form, top scoring with 11, backed by guest Zach Cook (8+2) and skipper Ben Barker (8)

Scores:

Plymouth Gladiators = 46 (74)

1. Zach Cook (G) – 0, 2, 3, 2′, 1′ = 8+2 

2. Alfie Bowtell – 2, 1′, 3, 0 = 6+1

3. Dan Thompson – 2, 2, R, 2′ = 6+1

4. Patrick Baek – 1′, 0, 2 = 3+1 

5. Ben Barker – 3, EX, FX, 3, 2 = 8

6. Joe Thompson – 3, 2, 3, 3, 0 = 11

7. Jacob Hook – 2′, 1, 0, 1 = 4+1 

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 43 (104)

1. Michael Palm Toft – 3, 1, FX, 0 = 4

2. Simon Lambert – 1, 3, 1′, 2 = 7+1

3. Jake Allen – 0, 3, 1′, 1 = 5+1 

4. Connor Mountain – 3, 1, 2, 2′, FX = 8+1 

5. Kyle Howarth – 2, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3 = 15 

6. Nathan Ablitt – F, 0, 1, 0 = 1

7. Luke Harrison – 1, 0, 2 = 3

Heat Results

Heat 01: Toft, Bowtell, Lambert, Cook 2-4 52.65

Heat 02: J.Thompson, Hook, Harrison, Ablitt (F) 5-1 (7-5) 56.00

Heat 03: Mountain, D.Thompson, Baek, Allen 3-3 (10-8) 53.61 

Heat 04: Barker, Howarth, Hook, Harrison 4-2 (14-10) 52.62

Heat 05: Lambert, D.Thompson, Toft, Baek 2-4 (16-14) 53.66 

Heat 06: Howarth, Cook, Bowtell, Ablitt 3-3 (19-17) 52.69 

Heat 07: Allen, J.Thompson, Mountain, Barker (EX) 2-4 (21-21) 54.08 

Heat 08: Bowtell, Harrison, Lambert, Hook 3-3 (24-24) 53.95 

Heat 09: Howarth, Baek, Ablitt, D.Thompson (R) 2-4 (26-28) 52.94 

Heat 10: Cook, Mountain, Allen, Bowtell 3-3 (29-31) 52.74 

Heat 11: J.Thompson, Lambert, Toft (FX), Barker (FX) 3-2 (32-33) 53.40 

Heat 12: J.Thompson, D.Thompson, Allen, Ablitt 5-1 (37-34) 53.59

Heat 13: Barker, Cook, Howarth, Toft 5-1 (42-35) 53.29

Heat 14: Howarth, Mountain, Hook, J.Thompson 1-5 (43-40) 55.44 

Heat 15: Howarth, Barker, Cook, Mountain (FX) 3-3 (46-43) 53.54 

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Fin Sutton

Following last night’s defeat at The Eddie Wright Raceway, the Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators will be looking to take their revenge on the Scunthorpe Scorpions, when both teams clash in the Cab Direct Championship this evening at The Coliseum.

New signing Patrick Baek makes his home debut for The Gladiators, whilst Zach Cook guests at Number 1 for the injured Nico Covatti.

Gates open at 5.45pm with the first race scheduled for 7pm.

Teams:

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators:

1. Zach Cook (G), 2. Alfie Bowtell, 3. Dan Thompson, 4. Patrick Baek, 5. Ben Barker, 6. Joe Thompson, 7. Jacob Hook.

Scunthorpe Scorpions: 

1. Michael Palm Toft, 2. Simon Lambert (captain), 3. Jake Allen, 4. Connor Mountain, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Luke Harrison.

Meeting Info:

Gates Open: 5:45pm

Tapes Up: 7pm

Admission: (Cash only at the gate, no cards)

Adults Seating £20

Adults Standing £18

11-17 Years £11

Under 11 Free.For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Gladiators Live. Click here for full information. Please note this is the only official stream, all other links are spam, please do not click them.

The Plymouth Gladiators suffered a heavy defeat against The Scunthorpe Scorpions, going down 62-28 in the Cab Direct Championship at The Eddie Wright Raceway.

Only two points down after heat three, it was then a night to forget for the Gladiators, as the Scorpions took control of the meeting, taking nine heat advantages out of the remaining 12 heats.

Reserve Joe Thompson top scored with an impressive 9 (+1) backed by reserve partner Jacob Hook with 7(+3).  Both teams return to action at the Coliseum tomorrow night, with tapes up at 7pm.

Scunthorpe = 62

1. Michael Palm Toft Fx, 3, 3, 2′ = 8+1

2. Simon Lambert 2, 1, 3, 2′ = 8+1

3. Jake Allen 3, 2′, 0, 3 = 8+1

4. Connor Mountain 2′, 3, 3, 3 = 11+1

5. Kyle Howarth 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15

6. Nathan Ablitt 0, 2′, 2′, 0 = 4+2

7. Luke Harrison 3, 2′, 2′, 1, 0 = 8+2

Plymouth = 28

1. Nico Covatti R/R (DT 3, DT 1, BB 1, AB 1 = 6)

2. Alfie Bowtell 1, 0, 0, 1 = 2

3. Dan Thompson 3, Fx, 1, 1, M = 5

4. Patrick Baek 1, 0, 0 = 1

5. Ben Barker 1, 0, 2, 1, 0 = 4

6. Joe Thompson 2, 2, 0, 1′, 0, 2, 2 = 9+1

7. Jacob Hook 1′, 0, 1, 1, 2, 1′, 1′ = 7+3

Scunthorpe win toss take 2 and 4

Heat Results

Heat 01: Re-run Dan, Lambert, Bowtell 2-4 58.64

Heat 02: Re-run Harrison, Joe, Hook, Ablitt 3-3 5-7 58.95

Heat 03: Re-run Allen, Mountain, Baek 5-1 10-8 58.03

Heat 04: Howarth, Harrison, Barker, Hook 5-1 15-9 59.09

Heat 05: Mountain, Allen, Dan, Bowtell 5-1 20-10 58.14

Heat 06: Palm Toft, Joe, Lambert, Barker 4-2 24-12 59.09

Heat 07: Howarth, Ablitt, Dan, Baek 5-1 29-13 58.62

Heat 08: Lambert, Harrison, Hook, Joe 5-1 34-14 59.40

Heat 09: Mountain, Barker, Joe, Allen 3-3 37-17 59.44

Heat 10: Palm Toft, Lambert, Hook, Baek 5-1 42-18 58.94

Heat 11: Howarth, Ablitt, Barker, Bowtell 5-1 47-19

Heat 12: Allen, Hook, Harrison, Joe 4-2 51-21 60.13

Heat 13: Howarth, Palm Toft, Bowtell, Barker 5-1 56-22 59.64

Heat 14: Mountain, Joe, Hook, Ablitt 3-3 59-25 59.75

Heat 15: Re-run Howarth, Joe, Hook, Harrison 3-3 62-28

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image credit: Ian Rispin

Ben Barker and Dan Thompson will represent the Plymouth Gladiators at The Championship Pairs, which takes place at Oxford on Friday August the 16th (7.30pm)

All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are competing in a meeting which is always one of the most popular of the season, taking place less than 24 hours before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.

Glasgow are the defending Pairs champions and the Tigers will once again be represented by Chris Harris, who clinched the silverware last year alongside Benjamin Basso with some spectacular racing and team-riding in the closing stages.

This time around Harris expects to be partnered by Steve Worrall, who hopes to be back racing by that date after having to take time out due to illness.

Last year’s runners-up Redcar, who won the title at Cowley in 2022, are once again represented by Charles Wright and Danny King, whilst 2023 semi-finalists Poole are also unchanged with Richard Lawson combining with Ben Cook.

Hosts Oxford were beaten semi-finalists last season but with skipper Scott Nicholls joining Sam Masters in the line-up, they will be strongly fancied for home success.

The meeting format sees all nine pairs competing over an 18-race schedule, with each pairing having four rides.

Points scoring is 4-3-2-0 and after Heat 18 the top four scorers progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each semi contesting the Final.

Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45-6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.

Supporters are urged to purchase tickets in advance from https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/ , priced at adults £22, children (11-15) £5 and under-11s free. This link also provides car parking information.

PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker & Dan Thompson

BERWICK: Lewis Kerr & Drew Kemp

GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Steve Worrall (TBC)

REDCAR: Charles Wright & Danny King

EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering & Justin Sedgmen

WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor & Craig Cook

SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft & Kyle Howarth

POOLE: Richard Lawson & Ben Cook

OXFORD: Scott Nicholls & Sam Masters

Image credit: Dan Westlake