Pirates guest grateful for safety fence (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates guest grateful for safety fence

7:00am Friday 18th April 2008

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MADS Korneliussen has called for all speedway tracks around the world to have safety air fences in place by 2010 after amazingly escaping injury following an horrific fall at Poole.

The Swindon rider was guesting for Castle Cover Pirates against Coventry on Wednesday when he was forced to take his tumble after being inadvertently hit by Chris Harris.

Korneliussen, who escaped with no broken bones, sat out Robins' home clash against Ipswich last night.

He said: "If Poole's air fence had been like an old wooden one I think I would still be lying there now.

"No doubt about it. It took a lot of the impact away. Air fences should be at all tracks.

"I can see the cost side of it, but it worked a few years ago when Elite League tracks ran a few meetings, riders rode for free, and the gate receipts paid for the air fences.

"That has saved a lot of broken limbs since then. In Poland, they are putting them in at all ExtraLeague tracks and even at one or two in Division One.

"I think it should be law. They should be in place at every track by 2010 or something like that."

Speaking yesterday, Kornelius-sen added: "I'm just badly bruised. It took me 15 minutes to get my socks on this morning. My whole body is beaten up."

Korneliussen, who had been on standby to guest for Pirates at Coventry in the league tonight (8pm), continued: "I just need a few days rest to recover properly.

"I hope to ride for Swindon at Belle Vue on Monday, although I may be able to line up in Germany on Sunday.

"I'll see how I feel then."

Korneliussen had been on standby to guest for Poole again in place of either Adam Skornicki or Karol Zabik at Coventry.

Instead, Pirates use rider replacement for Skornicki, who now hopes to return from a broken wrist at home to Eastbourne on Wednesday.

Zabik, who missed Poole's 53-39 win over the Bees at Wimborne Road, returns from a wrist injury after proving his fitness in a Polish Grand Prix qualifier on Tuesday.

Pirates hope to have Zbigniew Suchecki back from a shoulder injury, but have Tomas Suchanek on standby to cover.

Coventry expect Oliver Allen, who sustained concussion after taking a nasty knock on the head in a fall at Poole, and Rory Schlein, who had hand and finger damage, to be fit.

Coventry: 1 Harris, 2 Allen, 3 Schlein, 4 Janniro, 5 Stead, 6 Burza, 7 Messing.

Pirates: 1 Pedersen, 2 Zabik, 3 Watt, 4 Rider replacement for Skornicki, 5 Holder, 6 Eriksson, 7 Suchecki or Suchanek (guest).

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