Although this meeting took place at the end of May, Bees had completed just four home matches due to a series of postponements, and there was therefore a need for a hasty re-arrangement after the fixture had been rained off earlier in the week on Bank Holiday Monday.
But the new date also posed problems with rider availability as Bees were without Kenneth Hansen due to a clashing Danish meeting, and could only replace him with a sub-6.00 Premier League rider.
Lewis Blackbird of Peterborough stepped in, whilst skipper Chris Harris showed his dedication to the club by electing to skip practice for Saturday’s Czech Grand Prix and ride for the Bees instead.
Meanwhile Hans Andersen and Ryan Fisher also altered their weekend travel arrangements to be able to race in the meeting.
But there was a further blow the night before when James Sarjeant crashed heavily in a 35-54 defeat at King’s Lynn and was ruled out, with Coventry Storm rider Oliver Greenwood called up to replace him.
The Brummies were enduring a torrid season which less than a month later would result in the collapse of the Alan Phillips promotion and the club’s withdrawal from the league.
The Perry Barr side had caused a stir by announcing the signing of Bartosz Zmarzlik, but with his arrival delayed they reverted to using rider-replacement for the injured Adam Skornicki at No.1.
With Ben Barker unavailable due to Premier League commitments, Josh Grajczonek stepped in as a guest, whilst future Coventry riders Danny King and Josh Bates also lined up for their opponents.
The potential within the Bees team was clear for all to see after impressive away wins at Swindon, Leicester and Poole – but they had scored just five points from a possible 12 at home, mainly due to issues with track preparation at Brandon.
And they were to find themselves under pressure once again as the unfancied Brummies threatened to pull off a major shock result.
BUILDBASE BEES: Hans Andersen, Kyle Howarth, Ryan Fisher, Lewis Blackbird, Chris Harris, Jason Garrity, Oliver Greenwood. BIRMINGHAM: Adam Skornicki R/R, Daniel Nermark, Danny King, Nico Covatti, Josh Grajczonek, Josh Bates, Simon Lambert.
