Fans of the Warriors and the Plymouth Gladiators will be treated to further speedway innovation at their home circuits when, for the first time, F2 speedway will be part of the show on some race days.

F2 equipment features bikes with unmodified 450cc petrol motocross engines with standard carburation / fuel injection and ignition system.

Warriors’ co-promoter Barry Bishop said, “F2 Speedway is the brainchild of former rider Pete Seaton who has been keen to find a way of controlling costs in what is an expensive sport.

He has tested the bikes for a number of years at tracks across the country and after several discussions between myself, Gladiators promoter Mark Phillips and Pete himself we have decided to put F2 Speedway through the biggest test of all and bring meaningful F2 speedway racing to the fans at Plymouth and the Isle of Wight.

I am sure that working with Pete will be brilliant as he is so enthusiastic to progress the development of F2 Speedway. It’s now time to see F2 in competitive action.”

Mark Phillips said, “Barry and I discussed F2 while at the Golden Helmet meeting in the Czech Republic last year and agreed then that it was something we both wanted to take to the public to see where it could fit moving forward. Productive discussion with Pete has led to today’s announcement and I am looking forward to see how the bikes go under proper race conditions.”

Pete Seaton added, “I have been working on F2 for many years now and I am delighted that the Gladiator and Warriors promotion have joined me to put F2 Speedway in front of the public which will help us no end in refining the F2 setup and defining its future. I very much look forward to working with them both in 2020.”

Further information will be issued in due course, however for those keen to see some background on F2 speedway, a comprehensive website with plenty of technical information and can be found at www.f2speedway.com/frequently-asked-questions/

Plymouth Gladiators are delighted to announce their participation in the 7 strong National Development League in 2020.

The Gladiators will stage a minimum of 6 home league and 2 Trophy matches and a KOC 1st round tie v Mildenhall.

We are also delighted to have been chosen to stage the 2020 National Development League 4 Team Tournament final.

A qualifying round of the British Under 21 championships, likely to include a number of the brightest young riders in the UK, is the icing on the cake.

We look forward to announcing more exciting and ground-breaking fixtures in due course including the 2020 Colin Hill memorial trophy.

Mark Phillips and Mattie Bates are also delighted to announce the return of Richard Andrews and Nathan Stoneman from the 2019 side and the ever-popular Henry Atkins to The Coliseum in 2020.

The club are also pleased to announce the signing of Sheldon Davies who impressed in a few appearances in Devon in 2019, and who is seen as a rider with significant untapped potential.

With club legend and no 1 Ben Wilson having announced his retirement at the end of the 2019 season we have also searched for a rider capable of being one of the best, if not best riders in the national league in 2020; to spearhead an excellent top end to the team.

We are very excited therefore to announce the signing of Alfie Bowtell who was runner-up in the National League Riders Championship in his most recent NDL season in 2018, where he averaged over 9 points per meeting for the Isle of Wight.

Alfie spent last season; mostly in the top 5 of Championship side Eastbourne eagles; and had the distinction of beating some top names in that spell before a knee injury in late august heading such illustrious names as Craig Cook and Scott Nicholls on their home tracks. 

That gives the side an outstanding top 4 of Nathan, Richard; Henry and Alfie, backed by Sheldon.

We are currently assessing other options well known to the club and some potentially excellent young prospects to fill the vital reserve berths and more news will follow soon.

Image Credit: Mike Hinves

Plymouth Gladiators speedway have teamed up with Plymouth resident and speedway fanatic Gregorsz Starzec, who is heavily involved in a major Polish speedway news website, which also covers Europe and the UK who approached the gladiators to suggest a major new community and charity initiative.

Gregorsz, met recently with Mark Phillips and Ian Jordan and suggested we look at ways to build links with the Polish community which numbers around 7,000 people in the city alone. 

That collaboration will involve us supporting a major Polish charity that the local community supports according to Gladiators Commercial and Business director Ian Jordan.

Gladiators riders and Management with bikes will visit the major Polish community centre and Church in mid-January to support them and build links and to be part of an enhanced community programme at Plymouth speedway, which is being developed along the lines of the one created at Eastbourne from the end of 2018 which has so far attracted over 4,000 new supporters to speedway in East Sussex . 

Plymouth Gladiators hope that this may also involve building more formal links with a few polish clubs and companies in the longer term future that can only be positive for Plymouth speedway. 

Plymouth speedway Management believe that the big advantage with us trying to convert Polish people in to Gladiators or indeed speedway fans; is that the majority will be far more aware about what the sport is, what it involves and how exciting the product is, as it is pretty much ‘the national sport’ in Poland and hugely popular and it attracts the kind of crowds associated with soccer in the uk.

The ability to market and advertise in Polish and to welcome a potentially rich new seam of Gladiators fans, in addition to the ongoing evolution and improvement of the community programme is viewed as a very exciting opportunity.

More news about the new community programme and how you can assist with it or sign up groups and clubs to it, will be released after Christmas. 

PLYMOUTH GLADIATORS SPEEDWAY 2020 SEASON TICKET PRICING

ADULT £150.00*

CONCESSION £125.00**

CHILDREN (11 TO 16) £60.00***

*BASED OF 12 MEETINGS £12.00 + PROGRAMME + CAR PARKING AT STADIUM A SAVING OF £54.00

**BASED OF 12 MEETINGS £10.00 + PROGRAMME + CAR PARKING AT STADIUM A SAVING OF £55.00

*** NO FREE PROGRAMME / A SAVING OF £12.00

(BASED ON MATCH PROGRAMME AT £3.00 AND PARKING AT £2.00)

---------

NEW FOR 2020 VIP CLUB

COST £260.00

A NEW VIP CLUB WILL BE LAUNCHED FOR 2020 WITH FUNDS RAISED ASSISTING WITH THE REBUILDING

OF THE NEW HOME STRAIGHT GRANDSTAND CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

TO INCLUDE 2020 SEASON TICKET + PERSONAL NAME ON RACESUIT + 10% TRACK SHOP DISCOUNT

• FREE COMPLIMENTARY TEA/COFFEE IN SPONSORS LOUNGE + STADIUM ACCESS FROM 4.00PM

--------

SEASON TICKET AND VIP CLUB MEMBERSHIPS WILL BE LAUNCHED ON

SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER AT STADIUM OPEN DAY FROM 11AM TO 3PM

PAYMENT ACCEPTED BY CASH + DEBIT/CREDIT CARD + CHEQUE

PAYMENT DETAILS FOR BANK TRANSFERS AND CHEQUE BY POST WILL BE UPDATED

ON THE CLUB WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA FROM MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES BY EMAIL PLEASE CONTACT VIA THE FORM HERE or EMAIL Mark.Phillips@plymouth-speedway.com

Promoter Mark Phillips confirmed to a packed end of season presentation evening audience on Saturday night; that Plymouth would definitely be confirming their intention to run in the National Development League in 2020.

Together with Promoter Mattie Bates and Commercial Director Ian Jordan, Mark outlined the plans for 2020 and the disappointment at not being allowed to join the Championship league in 2020, the mood though was both upbeat and forward looking with a determination of the promotion to field both the strongest possible NDL team in 2020 and also to build the financial and backroom foundations for a successful bid to move up in 2021.

Team planning is already well advanced as is the demolition and rebuilding of a completely new home straight stand to offer increased comfort and seating and outstanding viewing for supporters.

The club is starting negotiations with a number of potential new and exciting sponsors and hopes to encourage existing sponsors and advertisers to remain on board for 2020.

The Management team will be at The Coliseum stadium this coming Daturday from 11am to 3pm to chat with supporters and any potential of returning sponsors when 2020 season tickets and season ticket pledges can be taken, heat and air fence banner sponsorship can be reserved and arranged and other advertising and sponsorship opportunities discussed.

For those wishing to purchase season tickets or heat/banner or any other form of advertising payment facilities for cash; cheque and debit/credit card will be available.

The management of Plymouth Gladiators speedway are very disappointed to announce that their application to join The Championship league in 2020 has proved unsuccessful on this occasion; but the club is determined to build towards a further application in 12 months time.

Having been granted permission to put its credentials to the sports general council at the AGM held in Coventry this week, the requirement of new and previously unforeseen conditions of entry; which would have meant increased financial assurances and bonds having to be paid immediately, meant that the promotion had no alternative but to withdraw the application on the grounds of the medium and long term financial security of the club.

Plymouth Gladiators will now focus on building a successful team for the 2020 National Development League, whilst strengthening its commercial and business model and increasing its brand, media and marketing awareness and exploring other speedway and community related avenues to increase it's supporter base and to further evidence and deliver the long term profitability and sustainability, it has shown in the past 12 months.

The clubs Management team will fully update all supporters attending the forthcoming end of season presentation evening on Saturday 30th November at Kings Tamerton community hall.

PLYMOUTH GLADIATORS will formally apply at the BSPA AGM (13th to 15th November) to join The Championship League in 2020.

The Application will be considered and if successful will be subject to strict criteria being met by dates set by the BSPA. There is no guarantee that the Application will succeed but we will update all Supporters as soon as confirmation is received, which is most likely to be on Friday 15th November.

The Club Directors have done all that they can in support of the bid and also have contingencies in place to stage NDL Racing in 2020 possibly with a Championship side (if the application is successful) or as in 2018 and 2019 as a standalone NDL (National Development League) side.

Further updates will follow on the website and Social Media when any outcome is confirmed by the BSPA.

The Plymouth Gladiators suffered a big home defeat last Friday night (2nd August) when they lined up against the top of the league Leicester Lion Cubs.

The meeting started off on a high with Ben Wilson and Adam Extance securing 5-1 in heat one but after that the Gladiators failed to find a consistency throughout the meeting. Leicester appeared to be too strong for the Gladiators with Plymouth track record holder Ellis Perks racing in a league of his own.

Team Manager Mattie Bates said “Leicester deserved the win. They were by far the better team on the night and full credit to them. I always think of myself as an optimist but I’m also a realist and Friday nights display from the team I really can’t see us hitting the play offs.

Everyone’s, bar a few riders, heads went down early on and they never came back up. If we are to hit a play off position they are going to have to show a lot more heart and fight than they did on Friday night”.

A disappointed Bates truly believed that, after the Gladiators unstoppable performance at the Silver Ski Fours home leg, it would be a massive turning point for the Devon club.

Bates added “I can appreciate the track last night was slicker than it was compared to the previous week but it was the same for every rider on the night and the boys have been riding long enough to know how to adjust and set their bikes up to work on a slicker track. I’m just disappointed for them and the supporters if I’m honest”.

The Gladiators next meeting is at Kent on Monday August 5th in the final leg of the Silver Ski Fours which the Gladiators currently have a 7 point lead over the Isle of Wight, and a 17 point lead over Kent.

Plymouth Gladiators 38: Ben Wilson 13, Adam Extance 8+2, Nathan Stoneman 7, David Wallinger 5, Richard Andrews 2+1, Jamie Bursill 2, Adam Sheppard 2.

Leicester Lion Cubs 52: Ellis Perks 12+1, Luke Harris 10+2, Danyon Hume 11, Ryan Terry Daley 10, Dan Thompson 7+2, Ryan McDonald 2.

Tonight (Friday August 2nd) the Plymouth Jarvis Nuclear Gladiators will entertain the Leicester Lion Cubs in National League action.

The Gladiators will be hoping to build on the successful home triumph last Friday in the Silver Ski Fours second leg.

Team Manager Mattie Bates said “last week was massive, not just for the confidence of the team but also for our supporters, so we’ll be really looking to build on that against a very strong Leicester team”.

Leicester, who are currently top of the National League table, will be looking to add more points to their season campaign and pick up another away win, following their win last Monday at Kent.

Bates said “Leicester have really hit form at the right time so it’s not going to be a walk in the park for us, but with us gaining in confidence and now having a finished track the team feel good and I’m feeling pretty positive we can get the win.”

Bates spoke about the last time Leicester visited the Coliseum and added “obviously back in June, when Leicester made the trip to Plymouth, it was unfortunately postponed but I really hope any travelling Leicester fans weren’t put off too much by that.

A lot of work has happened since then so it would be nice to see some Leicester fans make the trip to Devon”. Tonight’s meeting starts at 7pm with gates opening at 5:45pm and parade starting at 7pm.

Plymouth Gladiators: Ben Wilson, Adam Extance, Nathan Stoneman, Richard Andrews, David Wallinger, Adam Sheppard, Jamie Bursill.

Leicester Lion Cubs: Ellis Perks, Dan Thompson, TBC (Guest), Joe Thompson, Danyon Hume, Ryan McDonald, Ryan Terry Daley.

The Jarvis Nuclear Gladiators will partake in the home leg of their 2 leg inter league challenge this Friday against the newly crowned 2019 Championship 4’s champions, the Somerset Rebels.

The Gladiators currently trail by 2 points overall when the Rebels just clinched a 46-44 lead over the Gladiators earlier this month.

Team Manager Mattie Bates said “the first meeting up at Somerset was a great meeting with some great racing from start to finish so we will definitely want to project that into the home meeting against the Rebels.

We again have former Plymouth (Devils) Ben Barker riding for us which will hopefully draw in a crowd with his daredevil, never say die racing style around the Coliseum”.

The Gladiators will also feature brand new signing David Wallinger who makes his home debut on Friday taking the place of Scott Campos. Bates said “we unfortunately had to let Scott go earlier this week in attempts to strengthen up in the middle order.

It was a hard decision for myself and Mark to make. Ive known Scott for 17 years we began our racing careers at the same time, but Scott has struggled to hit a consistent form this season so a change had to be made”.

Wallinger, who was originally was heading to Plymouth ahead of the 2019 season but then took a detour for Mildenhall, was recently released by the Tigers to allow them to fit in former Plymouth (Devils) Henry Atkins into the Mildenhall lineup.

Bates added “originally David was coming to Plymouth but then last minute made the change to Mildenhall, so he really does have a second crack at the whip now.

I’m sure David will be eager to get his head down and hopefully score the Gladiators some vital points and supply some good back up for us. He’s a good lad who’s been around for a little while, so he knows the tracks and has some key experience”.