Speedway: Tigers flying high as Newport Wasps crushed at Ashfield

Jun 16 2009

Glasgow Tigers

GLASGOW TIGERS cut off Newport's sting last week as Glasgow swatted the Wasps 66-26.

The Ashfield side were in hot form as they won 13 out of 15 heats with 10 being 5-1 maximums.

It was sweet revenge for the Tigers who had fallen 50-40 on their trip to the Welsh side two days before and it looked like Newport were about to pick up where they left off when they took the first heat 4-2.

But the Tigers are at their most dangerous when they're cornered and so it proved as they won six 5-1 heats on the trot to roar into a 23-point lead and zap the Wasps.

Lee Dicken top-scored with 16 points and was closely followed by James Grieves with a point less.

However, there was more injury woe for the Tigers - who have already have Josh Grajczonek and Ross Brady sidelined - when Ben Wilson crashed in the fourth heat forcing him to retire from the event.

Last week skipper Shane Parker spoke of his concern for riders' safety and reiterated his plea by calling on the sport's beaks to improve the racing tracks themselves.

The Aussie said: "The condition of the tracks themselves has been an issue for some time.

"When Josh crashed in that international which saw the German rider paralysed, the track itself didn't look ideal.

"That track in Germany didn't look too great and who knows what might have happened had it been up to scratch.

"Some tracks don't invest in quality dirt which allows bikes to get a good grip on the surface.

"As a result, the tracks become slick and the slightest bump could see a rider come off his bike.

"The bikes have gotten faster over the years and will continue to do so. The tracks need to improve otherwise more crashes will occur."

Of the Tigers' season so far, Parker admits that while injuries have played a part, the team could raise their game.

He added: "As a team we have not all been at 100 percent and all seven riders must be at their best given the high standard of the competition.

"If one or two guys are not hitting their averages then the team is fighting a losing battle."