Tigers win despite Legault problem!!

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers beat Somerset 55-41 in the Knockout Cup semi-final - but missed out by an agonising one-point on aggregate in late drama at Owlerton. Sheffield looked home and dry with two races to go after clawing back a 15-point deficit from the first leg at Somerset’s Highbridge raceway a fortnight ago. They battled superbly to open up a four-point aggregate lead, with Rebels making a last desperate throw of the dice by giving without-a-win Emil Kramer a tactical ride in the penultimate heat 14 And when Sheffield’s Kyle Legault sped from the tapes ahead of Kramer, with Paul Cooper in third place, the heat advantage would have been enough to book a lucrative final ticket against powerhouses King’s Lynn. But with Legault leading by a country mile, his engine dramatically blew entering the final bend and the Canadian ground to a halt – leaving Kramer to pocket six points and turn the tie on its head. The 7-2 race win left Tigers trailing by just one point overall going into the finale, where Ricky Ashworth – in superb form all night – and guest Jason Lyons squared up to Somerset star Magnus Zetterstrom, who just five days earlier had won the Premier League Riders’ Championship in sensational fashion on the same track. When the tapes flew up, in-form Zetterstrom shot out but Ashworth powered round the outside to nose in front and looked set to take the win, while Lyons’ third place ahead of Kramer meant that Sheffield would be on the way to the final by the narrowest of margins.But on the last lap the determined Zetterstrom, beaten three times in earlier heats, used every ounce of throttle to draw level and then blast around the outside of Ashworth with just two bends to go, with the Swede’s race win making sure of the aggregate victory much to Sheffield’s despair.TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth 14, Jason Lyons 11+1, Ben Wilson 8+2, Kyle Legault 7, Paul Cooper 7, Emiliano Sanchez 6+2, Mark Thompson 2+1. SOMERSET: Magnus Zetterstrom 18, Emil Kramer 11, Ben Barker 4+3, Glen Phillips 4, Stephan Katt 2, Simon Walker 2.

Kyle big help in large win!!

ARGENTINIAN ace Emiliano Sanchez romped to his best score of the season as Sheffield Pirtek Tigers demolished Mildenhall 63-27 at Owlerton, Thursday evening. Sanchez took six rides as he deputised for injured skipepr Andre Compton in one outing and Sheffield are now certain of second choice of opposition in the play-offs.While Sanchez was winning his first five races before being beaten for the only time in the night’s final race, Ricky Ashworth went through the card with a five-ride paid maximum and Kyle Legault and Ben Wilson were also in double figures.And more good news for Tigers was the performance of struggling reserves Paul Cooper and Benji Compton, who notched paid 14 points between them. TIGERS: Emiliano Sanchez 16, Ricky Ashworth 14+1, Ben Wilson 11+1, Kyle Legault 10+3, Benji Compton 7+2, Paul Cooper 5. MILDENHALL: Jason Lyons 8, Jon Armstrong 2, Brent Werner 0, Jason King 6, Daniel King 6, James Brundle 4, Scott Richardson 1.

Division 2 and 3 championships plus"Jumpin" Jeff wins D one!! !!

The main event this night was the Division 2 and Division 3 riders who had come to lift the prestigious C.S.R.A. championship title for their division. Several Division 1 riders also graced the track and gave a great display a racing.
The Division 3 night was down to 3 riders who fought to get the trophy. Unfortunately, Peter Fornal was injured the night before and was not up to 100% fitness. He valiantly came to ride and try his best this night. Trevor farrington aboard his newly painted bike looked good, but suffered a few tumbles and mechanical failures along the way. This left the "Pirate" Graham Wale to bring his talent and his Weslake to the track to take control, but he had mechanical problems that nearly kept him off the track! Philip Small was quick to offer his #21 machine ironically another Weslake, that Graham rode really well. Graham "Pirate" Wale became Division 3 Canadian Speedway Champion for 2006 aboard this machine. The Division 2 riders were pumped! George Lavender, Corinne Franic, Terry Rideout, Michael Small, Bob Mosquera and Katalin Davis all came to win also!
The heats were close battles, Corrine Franic proved that her track knowledge and gating was far superior this day. The usual fast and hard riding George Lavender unfortunately had 2 starts that were hindered by tape malfunctions, and this seemed to knock him back abit. Terry Rideout had some mechanical problems that led to the bike being very erratic and he did well to ride as well as he did, under these circumstances. Michael Small began the night slowly and left his best ride for the final event. Bob Mosquera was finding the changes to his bike that he had previously made rather challenging. Katalin Davies for the second time this week came and rode the Paris track very well. She was very dominant over the guys in her heats. The final was led by Corinne Franic from start to finish but she was under pressure all the way from Katalin Davis and then Michael Small. She maintained her composure and with great cheers took the checkered flag and the Division 2 CSRA Championship title.
The Division 1 guys were not the main focus this night, but they came and gave some great racing. Philip Small, Rob Dixon, and Doug Beaumont all worked hard to have a blast this night. Chris Hesmer was back in action, however this was a night to forget! He had 3 mechanical malfunctions related to chains and clutches. In one heat his clutch completely flew off the bike!! Much to his frustration. Brother Aaron, also was jinxed with the chain malfunctions this night, in one heat heat was leading well and the chain came off and then to his horror, a repeat of last weekend came back to haunt him. As he was battling it out with Jeff Orosz in the final heat, and yes you guessed it, his chain comes off!!!! This left a flying Jeff Orosz to take the SPG Division 1 prize for the night.

Kyle scores well, again!!

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers slipped to a surprise defeat at bottom club Newport on Sunday as Wasps guest Chris Neath won a last-heat decider. Neath had been hit by mechanical trouble in his previous two outings but made the start in Heat 15, and his bike survived until the end of the race as he headed home Tigers guest Mark Lemon and Kyle Legault. It was enough to give the home side a one point victory to end a long losing sequence and give themselves hope of elevating themselves about Edinburgh in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Tigers were well served by Lemon, who won three races, whilst Kyle Legault and Emiliano Sanchez both won two as Tigers pulled back from seven points down after ten heats to put themselves in the frame for a victory. Sanchez, who fell in his first outing, combined with Legault for maximum points in Heat 10 as Neath retired, and with Neath failing to get off the start line in Heat 13 Lemon and Benji Compton took a 4-2 to narrow the gap to a single point. Compton had fallen in his first three outings on the pits turn, his crash in Heat 2 resulting in a 3-2 to the home side as Billy Legg had already been excluded. Another man in the wars was Ricky Ashworth, who failed to take his final ride due to a hand injury after coming to grief in his second and third outings, with the stand-in skipper unable to repeat his usual good Newport form. NEWPORT: Joel Parsons 13+1, Chris Schramm 10+2, Carl Wilkinson 9+3, Chris Neath 8, Tony Atkin 5+1, Billy Legg 0, Neil Collins r/r. SHEFFIELD: Mark Lemon 12, Kyle Legault 10+3, Ben Wilson 9, Emiliano Sanchez 8, Ricky Ashworth 2+2, Sam Martin 2, Benji Compton 1.

Great home track return for Kyle!!

RICKY Ashworth romped to a 17-point haul as Sheffield kept alive their hopes of a top two Premier League finish with a 60-35 win over Rye House at Owlerton on Thursday. The maximum three-points - two for the win on the night and one for winning on aggregate - keeps alive Sheffield's hopes of a favourable pick in the quarter-finals of the play-offs.As the scoreline suggests, Pirtek Tigers were dominant from the start and never looked like slipping up - despite the absence of skipper Andre Compton with a shoulder injury. Stand-in skipper Ashworth set the tone with a win in the joint fastest time of the season so far in the opening race as he partnered Ben Wilson for a maximum 5-1. For the record, Ashworth clocked 60 seconds exactly. A succession of Tigers race wins put the result beyond doubt in the early stages - but Rye House still tried to put up some resistance late on with Edward Kennett and Steve Boxall claiming maximum points from tactical rides. It was Ashworth and Ben Wilson who had the last word with a 5-1 in heat 15 to hit the 60-point barrier - and they now travel to Newport on Sunday in a confident mood. SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth 17+1, Ben Wkilson 13+3, Kyle Legault 11+2, Emiliano Sanchez 10+2, Paul Cooper 5+2, Benji Compton 4+1. RYE HOUSE: Steve Boxall 10, Edward Kennett 9, Tommy Allen 5+1, Ben Powell 4+1, Lee Smethills 3, Chris Neath 3 Adam Roynon 1+1.
KYLE TO BE WELCOMED HOME. Kyle Legault will be given a celebration reception by Sheffield fans on Thursday night as he returns to Owlerton for the Premier League clash with Rye House (7.45pm). Legault won the Canadian national title on Monday - a result which assures him of a work permit for next year.The Pirtek Tigers will be without skipper Andre Comnpton who hopes to return next week after shoulder ligament damage - and they will share his programmed rides amongst the rest of the team.Sheffield need to win by more than 13-points to claim the aggregate bonus point and keep alive their hopes of a top two finish going into the all-important play-offs. Legault said of his title win: "The rider field was strong and I had some good competition to ride against. Many American riders went to the event and were very good to ride with!"I gave all I could and took the chequered flag to win my home Canadian Championship! It was a great feeling and I'm now looking forward to getting back for the Tigers."TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton R/R, Paul Cooper, Benji Compton. RYE HOUSE: Edward Kennett, Lee Smethills, Steve Boxall, Tommy Allen, Chris Neath, Adam Roynon, Ben Powell.

Kyle Legault takes the title!!

The title of Canadian Champion was handed over from Nick Fafard to Kyle Legault last night after a tremendous event at Paris Speedway.
After an awful weekend of the remnants of the tropical storm heading to Ontario from the eastern States. The main Championship event was put off until the bank holiday Monday.
With a mixture of sunshine and dodgy looking clouds, the event kicked off at 3:00pm in front of a huge enthusiastic crowd.
A field of 16 riders from Canada, the US and Kyle Legault back over to Canada from the UK, the stage was set for a cracker!
With two riders of stature missing in John Kehoe and the reigning Champion Nick Fafard. The Championship events were open for some great racing and some thrills and spills.
Corinne Franic sadly had to withdraw with a major mechanical problem right at the start, which allowed Terry Rideout to ride without Corinne chasing him down all day, however, a twist in it for Terry, was that Katalin Davis from the US was here to take her place, no let up for Terry and the ladies! On this day the upper hand went to the hard riding and chasing Katalin, who provided some very controlled racing, giving the crowd some excellent close racing with Terry. All day the support group gave some super racing and Tim Murray, Trevor Farrington, Tom Marriott (using Phil Small's bike)Terry and Katalin should all be very proud of the job they did! The final was a battle between Terry and Katalin, but with Terry losing some grip and confidence, Katalin used her skill deservedly win the final!
The Champion round was all eyes on two individuals, Kyle Legault and Aaron Hesmer. With Aaron being the top contender in Canada at the moment, and the return of the now professional UK rider, the ingredients for a great cocktail was in store.
However, no other rider had come to watch these two, (not a chance) they had come to beat them both!!!! With Andy Crawford, Adam Mittl, Cameron Rafferty, Michael Buman, Brian Hollenbeck and Josh Carr in town from the US, the US team was a strong threat to anyone!
Joe Heye, Gary Hesmer, Bobby Muszynski, Rob Dixon, Doug Beaumont, Philip Small, Jeff Orosz and Marc Gauthier also were there to get their Canadian hands on the trophies!!!
The heats started well and without incident, they all completed some close and entertaining racing. Then as if all hell broke loose, we had some good things happen! Aaron Hesmer and Joe Heye both looped at the gate, Andy Crawford kept sliding off in the same place! and Kyle and Bobby clattered against each other.
Joe Heye was the eventual winner of a six attempt start heat just before the final!!! With a tape failure, a fence mishap, a first bend collision, Joe Heye looping at the start and a 2 race mis-starts, it was a treat to see Joe Heye come from the 15 yard line to pass everyone and take the win with style! The crowd was having a blast!
We had some superb passing and close races throughout and with Kyle Legault flying like the wind, the bench-mark was set of where you had to be to win!
Aaron Hesmer in the final race of the night, was hunting down Kyle like a lion on it's prey! He was poised to take a hard run at Kyle coming out of turn 4 and his chain snapped, dramatically flying over the tapes!!!! His day was done and Kyle looked back and saw no-one behind and cruised to a well deserved win!

The only round to run (Hopefully) for the Canadian speedway national goes this Sunday at the Paris fairgrounds on Silver street, in Paris. Tapes up at 6pm. With several riders in stunning form, recently, it will be a rider with lady lucks charm working for him as there is several riders very capable of lifting the title. The "likely list" is as follows:- Nick (The Flyin Frenchman) Fafard (current champion.) Rob Dixon. Mikey Buman. KyleLegault. http://www.sheffieldspeedway.com/main.asp (Latest news from England.) Aaron Hesmer. Bobby (The showman) Muszynski. Phil Small. Adam Milll. (Jumpin') Jeff Orosz. Gary (The Hitman) Hesmer. Marc Gauthier. Joe Heye. Doug Beaumont. (Hotdog) Fred Legault. Casey Dunholt. (Flyin') Brian Hollenbeck. Cam Rafferty. Possible riders include:- Chris Hesmer. Michel Lemay. Aaron Deveau. John Kehoe. Greg Starcevic.