Countdown to the Tigers

With speedway’s biggest early-season enemy, the weather, resetting the season countdown clock last weekend, Borders’ speedway fans have to wait patiently before they finally get to see the R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS together on-track.

That comes at Ashfield on Friday week (17 June) with the teams meeting again at Shielfield Park the following evening.

Not that the boys are sitting twiddling their thumbs.

First up on Sunday and Jack Smith was involved in the re-opening of Buxton’s unique Hi-Edge raceway after seven season.

After finishing third in his opening ride the new Bulls skipper was untouchable for the rest of the afternoon, scoring 10 points for Buxton in the Regina Chains four-team tournament which also involved teams resurrecting legendary speedway names – Wolverhampton, Stoke and Crewe. Melrose’s Kieran Douglas was part of the Wolves team which won the event, scoring five points.

A busy Bank Holiday Monday saw Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris go head-to-head as Belle Vue and Leicester clashed home and away in the Premiership.

Our number one began the day steadily with seven points in the Aces’ 57-33 Premiership KO Cup North section high noon victory including heat wins against his current Bandits’ team-mate and a former skipper, Drew Kemp. in the Dane’s final two races.

Nick, making is competitive racing debut for 2026, was one of a a number of Lions struggling to find the right set-up at the National Speedway Stadium. But there were no such problems on his return to a Leicester circuit where he set multiple track records before his enforced absence.

He managed a solid eight points including a race win over another ex-Bandit, Jonas Jeppesen, who was guesting for the Aces. Leicester won the evening meeting 50-40 with only PK – ten points including three race wins – providing any back-up for the outstanding Dan Bewley, the Cumbrian GP ace unbeaten by an opponent in all his 11 races on the day.

Jack’s back in action on Sunday when the Ductair Bulls travel to Leicester for a challenge against the Lion Cubs, while Nick faces club captain Jye Etheridge on Thursday as the Lions travel to Sheffield in the Knockout Cup.

Spinning the spanners for in the Premiership has been Reid Battye who is champing at the bit to make his Bandits’ debut but has managed to get some practice time on-track while travelling with his team-mates.

Then they finally get back into their Berwick racesuits and transfer their sparkling form into Bandits’ points.

A reminder that Season Passes remain on sale – £199 adults, £189 concessions – and that those who have already bought can pick theirs up from the Box Office at Shielfield on 18 June. Buy passes here  E-Tickets for the visit of Glasgow will go on sale at the start of next week.