Around the Premier League Tracks 2007 - the close season 2007/8

.

.

Monday, 10 December


Premier League News



Workington: Craig Branney is back again with Workington Comets to complete the team line-up for 2008. He re-joins younger brother John in the Comets side to contest an extended Premier League when it gets underway in March. Branney senior is delighted to be returning to his hometown track for a second successive season. “I was considered for a reserve slot one year, and even got to a virtual ride-off in pre-season practice, without landing the job. “I’ve just had to get my head down and work hard at my sport so getting the call at the end of last year to sign for the Comets was the moment I’d been waiting for. “I enjoyed riding for the team last season and I just hope that I can build on that and help move the team forward again,” he says. Owner Keith Denham said: “We’ve put together a side which I believe will be very competitive in what is likely to be an intense League. “Generally, from talking to the fans, they are happy with the side we have assembled at Derwent Park. “We might seem a bit top heavy with Daniel Nermark, Kauko Nieminen and Carl Stonehewer looking as good a top three as there is in the League. “But it will be up to the likes of the Branney brothers, Charles Wright and young Joe Haines to provide the back-up and make the progress which can turn us into a challenging side.” Workington’s new owner will unveil the new line-up to the fans before the season officially opens at Berwick on Easter Saturday, March 22 with the first home meeting at Derwent Park on Easter Monday, March 24.“We will be holding a press and practice day behind closed doors but will also be inviting the fans to meet the team on a Saturday open house. “They shouldn’t have to worry about getting time off work that day. “They will be able to come into the stadium, chat to the riders and take photographs as well as collect autographs,” said Denham. He is also planning a major publicity campaign in which the Comets will be going into all the schools around Cumbria. “I believe we went into two schools in Allerdale last season.“Well I intend to see that we have riders going to schools throughout the county all year round, pushing home the message that speedway is a sport to be enjoyed by young and old,” said Denham.

Source: Official Workington Website

Somerset: The 2008 Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will certainly have a familiar look about them when they take to the track next season as the club confirm Ritchie Hawkins as their third signing for the new campaign.

Hawkins, the 2004 British Under 21 Champion, joins Jordan Frampton and Simon Walker in making it three riders who will now line up for the Rebels in 2008 who were part of last season’s septet.

In confirming Hawkins signature, Somerset promoter Mike Golding felt that there is still plenty of potential within the 24 year old, and is looking for this to come to the fore in 2008;

“I feel Ritchie had a steady season in 2007, and it was pleasing to see that there were no ill effects from the nasty injury he sustained the previous season,” said Golding, “Ritchie has plenty of potential still to realise and a second season at the Oak Tree Arena could be just what he needs in order to bring out the best in him.” “I see a 7 point rider in Ritchie and I expect him to be pushing this figure as the season progresses.”

For Hawkins, 2008 will be his third season with Somerset, his first coming in 2005 when he was a part of the quartet that lifted Somerset’s first ever trophy at Premier League level, namely the Premier League Fours Championship at Workington. The following season saw him join Workington, but a serious head injury brought a premature end to his year, but fully recovered he returned to the Somerset colours for 2007, and finished the year with a 6.06 average, which, after the reduction allowed for British riders will convert to 5.91 for 2008.

Lining up for Somerset for a second successive season is something of a novelty for the Poole based Hawkins as he explained;

“I am really happy to be staying with Somerset for 2008, this is the first time I think I have stayed with the same club since my time with Swindon, and it makes life a whole lot easier as you do not have to get used to a new track as far as set ups etc are concerned.”

“Mike [Golding] has been such a great guy to ride for that I had no hesitation in agreeing to ride for Somerset again next year,” added Hawkins, “I was a bit disappointed with my form at times last season, but everything it looking really positive for 2008, I already have a major sponsorship deal agreed with Scandic Clutches and another almost completed, but would always welcome more!” “I know what expectations Mike has of me for next season and I feel that I am more than capable of achieving those.”

In further news from the Oak Tree Arena, announcer Dave Lewis has decided to ‘hang up the mic’ as far as 2008 is concerned due to family commitments.

“The decision I have made not to continue with my role at Somerset was a very hard one to make indeed, for the last year has been probably the most enjoyable I have had since I started in this role at Swindon 10 years ago.” Explained the ever popular Lewis, “Mike Golding has been a fabulous man to work for and he deserves every success at Somerset for the effort he has put into the club and I can only see a good future for the Rebels with Mike at the helm.”“I will very much miss seeing everyone at Somerset - as well as the fantastic racing - on Fridays, but the need to spend more quality time with my family was becoming more and more evident, and of course, family has to come first. I will do my best to get to the OTA a few times in 2008, but in the meantime I would like to offer my thanks to everyone at Somerset for the support, encouragement and friendship they shown me in the past.”

“I was sorry to learn from Dave that he has decided not to continue announcing at Somerset, but I can fully appreciate the reasons behind his decision,” said Mike Golding, “I would like to go on record to personally thank Dave for 2007, the accolades he received from fans up and down the country for his announcing at the Premier League Pairs bears testament to what a loss he will be here at Somerset; he is going to be a very difficult man to replace.”

Source: Official Somerset Website



Sheffield: The Tigers have unveilrd three more riders in their push for the 2008 Premier League title – and they’re all familiar faces!

Ben Wilson, Joel Parsons and Paul Cooper have all signed new deals with the Sheffield Window Centre backed club and will join skipper, Andre Compton – who signed a new two-year deal last week – and Ricky Ashworth in the main body of next season’s side.

That means there is no place for James Birkinshaw and James Cockle at reserve, though the latter has already signed for Mildenhall. Two new signings will follow soon.

Tigers’ co-promoter David Hoggart said: “What a great position we’re in, enjoying the continuity with the bulk of a team which did us proud last season and we’re all looking forward to next March.

“Joel and Coops were promised some backing if they came back to Owlerton, they had expensive repair bills at the end of last season so naturally we hope those pledges of sponsorship come true in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile Tigers asset Kyle Legault has joined Birmingham on loan – resisting a move into the Elite League.

“Despite Kyle’s transfer request which was played out in the press, we wish the lad all the very best”, said Hoggart. “It means both Kyle and Lee Complin remain assets of Sheffield Speedway and we are delighted that both riders have been fixed up elsewhere.”

Source: Official Sheffield Website


Birmingham: Birmingham Speedway are celebrating a thrilling double with the signings of Canadian ace Kyle Legault and inspirational skipper Jason Lyons for next season.

Legault is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects on the scene and has turned down several other offers to race for the Brummies.

And Lyons, who first appeared in the sport as a rookie with Glasgow in the early 90s, has already written his name in Brummies’ folklore after a sensational season with the club in their amazing comeback campaign at Perry Barr.

Jubilant Birmingham boss, Graham Drury, said: “I’m delighted with the capture of Kyle, it’s actually the second time I’ve held talks with him because he was in our plans last season.

“There was confusion over his average back then and it all fell through, but this time we are sorted with the lad.

“Remember, this is a young lad who went within five rides of becoming a fully qualified Grand Prix rider last season and he made good progress at Mildenhall as well.

“Jason has already written himself into the record books as a Brummies’ Legend”, said Drury. “All along it was his first choice to come back to Perry Barr but we wanted to get the AGM out of the way and see what points limit we had to work with.

“It’s all worked out really well and I’m sure Jason will once again prove to be one of the top riders in the Premier League.”

Source: Official Birmingham Website


Stoke: It looks as though Jack Hargreaves will not be in the Potters’ colours next season.

Jack Hargreaves is unlikely to figure in Stoke Potters' plans for next season. The 19-year-old seems set to move away from Loomer Road as promoter Dave Tattum builds a new-look squad for 2008.

Tattum, who is hoping to announce more names to run alongside that of the already signed Lee Complin this week, said: "There has been some interest shown by other clubs in Jack and it is unlikely he will be wearing our colours in 2008."

Big things were predicted for Hargreaves, below, when he signed for Stoke as a 16-year-old. But that potential has yet to be realised and the teenager sees next season as one in which he must make strides forward.

"I look around at other riders in my age group and I can see there are things I must do to change my ways, otherwise I might not make the progress I expect from myself," he said. "I've messed around a bit too much and I regret much of that now.

“With a bit more dedication, I might have made more progress by now and I have no-one to blame other than myself. I'm not saying next season is make-or-break because it isn't. I'm still only 19 and hardly over the hill - but I do want to see real progress made next year."

Source: The Sentinal

Around the Premier League Tracks 2007 - the close season 2007/8

.

.

Sunday, 9 December


Premier League News



Sheffield: Owlerton is set to welcome the return of the Premier League Riders’ Championship next September. Sheffield co-promoter, David Hoggart, said “I found it crazy that a stadium with the facilities at Sheffield didn’t stage a major BSPA event last season.

“We’re looking at a date of Sunday, September 21, with a 3.30pm start but all this is subject to confirmation from the big events series director, Jonathan Chapman.”

Source: BPSA Website


Edinburgh: The signing of Andrew Tully was covered by a Monarchs Press Release.

Edinburgh announced the signing of Andrew Tully for their 2008 side at their Video Night last night.

The 20 year old who lives in Bathgate, within a very short distance of the Armadale track, was rated a slightly surprising choice for a reserve berth last year, but he fully justified the club’s faith by turning in a good season’s work.

His average of 5.33 (4.4 without bonus) came in spite of doing well enough to move out of the reserve berth very early, and spending the bulk of the season in the main body of the team.

There had been speculation that Andrew might like to ride for Scunthorpe, his Conference team of the last couple of years who are now in the Premier League, but this never seemed to be an issue.

He said “I’m very pleased to be back and I hope the team can do well and win something. I thought I did reasonably well last year but I will be setting myself higher goals for 2008.”



Glasgow: The signings of Shane Parker and Robert Ksiezak were the subject if a statement on the Official Glasgow Website.

Glasgow Speedway are delighted to announce two more members for the 2008 season and in addition a brand new team sponsor for next season after what has been a very busy week!Supporters will be delighted to know that making a return to Ashfield for a fifth season will be the inspirational Australian SHANE PARKER. The veteran is coming towards the end of an illustrious career but is not yet ready to hang up the kevlars and will enjoy the 2008 season with the Tigers. There is little doubt that Parker is revered by all at Ashfield and his return will certainly provide a major boon for supporters. Also inking in a 2008 return is yet another Australian with ROBERT KSEIZAK set for his third season in Glasgow colours. Ksiezak initially arrived on loan from Edinburgh but made such ain impression in his first season that the Promotion made the move to make him a full-time Glasgow asset. Last season saw the popular Australian suffer a couple of injuries which curtailed his improvement but hopes are still very high that he can be a major player in the Tigers side for next season. Ksiezak and Parker join another Australian Trent Leverington in the three names listed so far with another four to be finalised prior to the tapes going up. Co-Promoter Stewart Dickson is delighted with another phase of the team building being completed: "I know that at some point soon we are going to have to face up to a time at Glasgow without Shane Parker but I am glad it is not just yet! He is such a talisman for us and an inspiration both on and off the track and to have secured his services means it is a most excellent Christmas present for our supporters. He will also captain the side again and I am sure that a number of our other riders will be delighted about that. It is a big year for Robert Ksiezak who knows that he must take some big strides this season. Robert produced some excellent stuff last season but his aim this time around is to be more consistent and put up the big numbers more regularly. He is more than capable of doing that and I have a sneaky suspision that this coming year will be the best for him since arriving on these shores.Overall I am very pleased with the way things are going but our next couple of signings will shape the kind of team that we will have. We can still go for another big hitter or perhaps think about a more balanced side, that decision will be decided upon by who comes in next and we are looking at a number of options at the moment."The Tigers will also have new backing for 2008 and will now be known as the "Buildbase" Glasgow Tigers. Buildbase have a strong allegience with the sport and are currently Main Sponsors at Elite League Champions Coventry, indeed are about to enter their 5th season, and the current longest serving sponsors in British Speedway. Regional Director for Scotland Graham Lister was delighted to become involved with the Premier Scottish Speedway team:"We are delighted to be given the opportunity of sponsoring the Tigers in 2008 and hopefully playing a major part in the continued growth of one of the fastest growing spectator sports in Britain. This deal is driven by the success that the Company has had with Coventry Bees and this is a great opportunity for us as a company to improve our standing in Scotland. We have been very impressed with the ambition that Glasgow Speedway have shown in attracting us to Ashfield, a special thanks goes to Elaine Daly, who turned up at our base in Falkirk one day a few years ago and left us some tickets to attend the speedway and we took to it straight away and the rest, as they say, is history! Now we are looking forward to the Tigers continuing their excellent progress of recent seasons and being one of the major players in the league in 2008."Buildbase are Builders Merchants who supply to both trade and householders and have 141 branches throughout the UK. 14 branches are based in Scotland and they supply "A great deal more for the Builder." For your local branch please check out the website at www.buildbase.co.ukThe Club would like to put on record their thanks to Graham and all the team at Buildbase and look forward to a fruitful partnership in 2008 and also express their grateful thanks to previous sponsors FSM Outdoor Advertising and Fraser McDonald in particular, and hope that they will continue to play a big part in the future of the Tigers.MAIN SPONSORS FOR SEASON 2007 - FSM OUTDOOR ADVERTISINGMAIN SPONSORS FOR SEASON 2008 - BUILDBASEREAD THE LATEST ON THE TIGERS - www.glasgowspeedway.co.uk HEAR THE LATEST ON THE TIGERS - Glasgow Club Hotline 09068 664685 (calls cost 60p per minute at all times)

Workington: The Comets announced John Branney as their sixth signing for next season.

WORKINGTON have added a sixth rider to their team for 2008 with reserve John Branney returning to the Comets.

The Premier League club only have one more signing to announce to complete their line-up and this is expected early next week. Workington-based Branney made a progressive return to the side after suffering a serious back injury in 2006 and turned in some solid performances over the second half of the season.

Comets owner Keith Denham said: “John knows what we are looking for from the younger lads at the bottom end of the team. There’s plenty of scope for improvement and I think it’s good to have a local lad in the line-up.

“We will be continually monitoring the youngsters from the area who use the Northside training track and I’m determined that any rider who shows the potential will be given every encouragement and help by the Comets.”

Team manager Ian Thomas, speaking from Las Vegas where he is attending the Ricky Hatton/Floyd Mayweather title fight, said he was confident Branney would continue to improve. “I was very impressed with the progress he made over the second half of the season and I think he can continue to move forward. He has the potential to improve and increase his average again,” said Thomas.

Source: News and Star


Scunthorpe: The Scorpions believe they will be fielding a very competitive side in their inaugural season in the Premier League.

CO-PROMOTER Rob Godfrey believes the Scunthorpe Scorpions are well on the way to assembling a 'very competitive' team.

Wolverhampton rider Magnus Karlsson is the latest to sign for the team, joining Richard Hall, Viktor Bergstrom and Byron Bekker at Normanby Road in 2008. Elite League riders Hall and Karlsson, who both arrive with an average of seven, will spearhead the Scorpions' assault in the Premier League next year.

Godfrey is delighted with the way preparations are going. He said, in a statement released this week: "Kenny Smith and I sat down and decided that we want a balanced team that can score points from number one to number seven - just as we have done over the last two seasons in the Conference League.

"With this in mind we have tried to sign as many six and seven-point riders as we can. "We feel we are well on the way to fielding a very competitive side but we are having to make sure that a rider is committed to a deal before we announce it.

"It is quite a game negotiating with riders but we have a budget; it's as simple as that. We're here for the long term and not just for one year. If crowds are good in 2008 then we might have more in the budget for 2009, but we know it all depends on the show we put on this year. The riders that we are trying to sign, and have signed, are going to be showmen for sure."

Godfrey had a thrilling message for the team's fans, who he hopes will come out in force to back the club in the Premier. "You think you've had it good in 2007, 2008 is going to be something out of this world" he enthused.

"We have got some cracking riders that will put on a superb show and we will be in a league that's balanced. We have some great people working behind the scenes to help bring everything together. They all want Scunthorpe speedway to succeed and it will succeed!"

Godfrey added that the Scorpions are also planning to improve facilities at Normanby Road. It follows talk on the club's internet messageboard, where some fans called for banking to be installed to improve the view.

"First of all we are going to make both stands non-smoking" he said. "And with regard to the elevated viewing issue, we are planning to raise the viewing level around the first turn by about five or six feet from the stand round to the newly positioned toilets.

"It will be a large sloped area which should provide excellent viewing without fans being splattered in shale. The work is lined-up for the summer."

Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph


Reading: The Racers have signed a strong top two for their return to the Premier League next year.

Mark Lemon has agreed terms to skipper Reading in 2008, whilst also forming a potent spearhead alongside new recruit Ulrich Ostergaard. The Australian racer, who was born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, was the mainstay of the Berkshire side in 2007, appearing in thirty-four Elite League matches for 176 points and a 5.11 real-time average.

This was despite being hampered by a nasal problem for much of the season, which required corrective surgery in September. Having recovering quickly from that, the Aussie was to take over the club captaincy in the final weeks of the campaign, after compatriot Travis McGowan had broken his shoulder blade in a curtailed Knock-Out Cup semi-final tie versus Swindon at Smallmead.

And Lemon concluded the season in style by charging to victory in the Denny Pyeatt Memorial Trophy on 22 October, when he defeated Krzysztof Stojanowski, Filip Sitera and Patrick Hougaard in the final. For the upcoming 2008 season, Lemo reverts back to his 2006 Premier League green sheet average achieved with Stoke, which means he will start the campaign with an 8.77 figure.

A delighted Malcolm Holloway said: “This is brilliant news for all our supporters. It means we will have terrific top-end strength with Lemo and Ulrich Ostergaard. Mark gave great service to the club in 2007 and was a pleasure to work with. He was an ideal captain after Travis McGowan had been injured and will fill the role superbly for us next season, I'm certain of that.

“He is a proven Premier League heat leader and in the Denny Pyeatt Memorial meeting, Mark showed the kind of dominant form we can expect in 2008. I'm well pleased with our three signings so far. As I've said all along, we want to build a side that is capable of taking the Premier League by storm. We are not going into it just to make up the numbers, that's for certain”


Somerset: The signing of Simon Walker and the new season in general was covered by the Weston and Somerset Mercury.

WITH the conclusion of the annual British Speedway Promoters' Association Conference, the following has been decided as the framework for the 2008 Speedway season.

Somerset will be part of an enlarged Premier League with Reading making the move down from the Elite League and Scunthorpe moving up from the Conference League, which means the Premier League has 17 confirmed starters, which could rise to 18 should Oxford's discussions with their landlords, the GRA, prove successful.

The Premier League has agreed upon a points limit of 41.50 for team building purposes, the combined averages of the seven riders making up each team must be within that limit. The really big news, however, to come out of the conference is that British Speedway is to introduce promotion and relegation between the Elite and Premier Leagues.

In short, the bottom two teams in the Elite League will meet to go into a final against the winners of the Premier League play-offs. The top four teams in the Premier League will contest the play-offs for the right to meet the Elite League team, with a place in the 2009 Elite League on the line.

Somerset have been drawn against Newcastle in the first round of the Premier League Knockout Cup. The Rebels can confirm their second signing for the 2008 season, and it is one that will go down well with the Somerset faithful as it will see Simon Walker once again lining up for the Rebels.

Walker joins Jordan Frampton as the two riders already confirmed in the Somerset line up for 2008. Further signings will be announced over the next few weeks as promoter Mike Golding weighs up his options for the remaining five team places.


Redcar: The Bears boss, Chris Van Straaten, has declared his enthusiasm for the outcome of the recent promoters’ conference in the Evening Gazette Live.

REDCAR Bears boss Chris van Straaten has hailed what he says is a magnificent blueprint for the future after the annual promoters’ conference.

The key issue decided was to introduce a promotion and relegation system between the Elite and Premier Leagues. In addition the PL points limit was increased to 41.5 and the EL to reduced to 38.5. And that, says van Straaten will begin a process of narrowing the gap in standards between the two leagues.

“I am excited about what is a new blueprint for the future of speedway,” he said. “It’s something that was needed, rather than just patching things up from time to time as we have done. We have been the only professional team sport where there has been no opportunity to climb up the ladder, and now that opportunity exists.”

Whoever finishes top of the PL will be crowned champions - but the top four will go into a play-off competition. The winners will meet the losers of an EL play-off between the bottom two in the final table - the prize being a place in the top flight for the following season.

“It’s a long term project,” added van Straaten, “and it will bring the Elite League and Premier League closer together.” The Bears chief said he also expected the Premier League to split into two at some point.

With Reading coming down from the EL and Scunthorpe going up from the Conference League, next season’s PL is guaranteed 17 teams - and that figure should rise to 18 once Oxford have secured a rent deal with their stadium landlords.

“I’m not totally enamoured with an 18-team league,” admitted van Straaten, “but it’s a democracy and I’m not going to slate what has happened.” The proposed revivals at Cradley Heath and Leicester would create further need for a split, added van Straaten.

Another change for 2008 is that the aggregate point has been abolished, and teams will now get a bonus point for winning away. “There are four teams who have a distinct home advantage,” said van Straaten, “we know who they are and they always seem to finish near the top. Now we will see teams rewarded for winning away rather than for scoring 60 points at home.”

With the points limit now set, the Bears can now start their team-building plans for 2008. And van Straaten revealed he had made a contract offer to Coventry-owned Josh Auty, who made such a big impression in his debut year of PL racing this season.



Sheffield: The Christmas Cracker short track meeting on 30th December will feature Ricky Ashworth.

Three speedway riders have been confirmed for the Christmas Cracker short track meeting on Sunday December 30th.

The meeting, which attracted a huge crowd last year, is set to see stars of various motorcycle disciplines take on the regular short track riders. Already confirmed is British Superbike rider Steve Plater and three speedway riders, Ricky Ashworth, Adam Allott and Rusty Hodgson, have now been added to the list.

Ashworth is a heat leader with the Sheffield Tigers and is keen to demonstrate how his speedway skills compare to those of the regular short-trackers. He will be riding a KTM machine whilst the other two speedway riders will be aboard CCM bikes for the day.

Adam Allott will be making a return to the Scunthorpe track for the first time after a nasty crash nearly ended his career at the end of the 2006 season. He did announce his retirement but returned to ride for the Kings’ Lynn Stars towards the end of last season and he is now hoping to compete in the whole of the 2008 short track season.

Another rider looking to mount a challenge for the 2008 title is Rusty Hodgson. Rusty rode for the Redcar Bears and Cleveland Bays last season and also managed to fit in three Short track races, finishing third in one race.

As with last year, when riders like TT star John McGuinness and former World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson took part, there is expected to be a host of road racing stars participate in this year’s event which starts at 1pm.

Source: Worldspeedway.com


Mildenhall: The Fen Tigers have released details for their season tickets next year.

Mildenhall Speedway are please to announce that Season Tickets for the 2008 campaign are now on sale and application forms will be available tonight (Friday 7th) at the Supporters Club Christmas Party at West Row from Club Administrator Steve Dolby and via the Official Website.

The prices have been set and the club are to offer Child Tickets again for the 15 and under age catergory due to various requests from Supporters.

All Season Tickets are valid for Premier League, Premier Trophy and Knockout Cup matches only which will be a minimum of 21 home meetings in 2008 and represent great value for Money with the additional discount for all Share Holders

Prices:
Non Shareholder Shareholder
Adult £246 £222
Concession £189 £171
Under 15 £42 £38

Source: Mildenhall Press Release


Birmingham: Birmingham Speedway will play host to some of the leading riders in the world next August.

The Perry Barr club have been handed the prestigious Elite League Riders' Championship on Wednesday, August 20, which will feature the top rider from every top flight club. And that means leading Grand Prix stars Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Bjarne Pedersen and Hans Andersen will make their first visit to Perry Barr.

Jubilant Birmingham co-promoter Graham Drury said: "This really is wonderful news for Birmingham Speedway and everyone at the club should feel very proud. "It's an honour for the club, supporters, management, stadium management and the city of Birmingham in general.

"For us to be staging such a prestigious meeting after just one season of racing here at Perry Barr is a massive achievement and we're looking forward to it already!

Around the Premier League Tracks 2007 - the close season 2007/8
.
.
Friday, 7 December


Premier League News



Scunthorpe: The Scorpions have completed the signings of two riders with Elite League experience as they prepare for their debut season in the Premier League.

They will be led by 2006 title winner Richard Hall, who rode for Peterborough, and Wolverhampton asset Magnus Karlsson.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said “These guys will average at least a point more than their starting averages. I’m sure they will be excellent acquisitions.”

Source: BPSA Website



Reading: Mark Lemon is staying with Reading to form part of a strong spearhead with Ulrich Ostergaard in the Racers’ Premier League Team. Lemon rode for the club in the top-flight last season but will revert to his previous Premier League average from 2006.

Promoter Malcolm Holloway said “This is brilliant news for all our supporters. It means we will have terrific top end strength with Mark and Ulrich.”

Source: BPSA Website



Edinburgh and Glasgow: Both the Scottish teams have shown enthusiasm for elevation to the Elite League.

Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs have welcomed the chance to take part in the Elite League.

The winner of the play-offs will take on the last-placed team in the Elite League to see who rides in the top league in 2009 with both Scottish sides hoping to eventually force their way in.

Source: Daily Record



Berwick: The Bandits are facing a crisis after losing the valuable sponsorship they have enjoyed over the last three seasons.

The Berwick Bandits association with the North Berwick-based award winning butchers, Andersons has come to a close in the last few days.

It’s been a very fruitful (although not always on track) relationship which has seen a very positive 3 seasons of joint work going on between club and company, with the last 2 as main team sponsors. So as the Bandits get ever closer to the new season starting with a home and away friendly Tyne Tweed Trophy encounter with Newcastle Diamonds on March 8th and 9th the search is on for a new club backer has gone into overdrive.

“It’s a real blow to us,” said Berwick’s Peter Waite, “as it now means we are desperately in the lookout for a new major backer as Andersons have been such tremendous backers for 3 years, and it’s no exaggeration to say they’ve kept the club afloat over those years when to stand alone would have been disastrous financially.

“It’s a fact I know to be the case because I’ve had to run the club solo without backing like this and it means cutting all costs to a minimum and then panicking week in week out and it’s a position I cannot bear to think about going into again.

“Andersons were fantastic to deal with and were always supportive and positive in all ways and we have to thank them hugely for that help. We cannot really convey the importance to us that they have had in out running in recent years.

“Consequently we are now very actively in the market for new sponsors, especially in this very important year for the Premier League when even the chance of a playoff for promotion to the Elite League is on the winner’s platter.

“It could be a massive year and we need a company to jump on board to help get the Bandits to the top of the pile again, and any company who does come along and back the Bandits in 2008 will be assured of a mountain of publicity as we will boost them to the hilt for the help we get.

“Any one, individual, company or business who wants to discuss the terms, can I please ask them to waste no time in contacting myself at the club, or via email on bandits32@hotmail.com or phone me direct on 07762-63-63-43 without delay if at all possible for once we get the finances back in place then we can start announcing confirmed riders for the 2008 campaign.”

Waite was also keen to point out that he believes the recent changes and new regulations are an huge positive boost for Speedway in Britain which have only increased his desire for success for the little border club in Berwick upon Tweed.

“It was an amazing AGM to be part of with some really forward thinking moves being passed and in particular getting rid of the aggregate bonus point means big things to me where as in the past teams with massive home track advantage could win the league on their home form alone by picking up 14 bonus points as well.

Now we all have the chance to get up to the top of the league in a far more fair way, and with the new points system coming in rewarding an away victory with 3 points, a home one 2 and the usual 1 for a draw I honestly believe this will make for a better league all round with much more competitive racing to put on display for the fans.

“Also with the top team in the League then going on to challenge for Elite League honours in 2009 that’s really going to get the crowd and the riders going for a great end to a season. With the points limit going to 41½ too and the other fine decisions it’s going to be a great league to be a part of and I can’t wait to get started with the Tyne Tweed Trophy against Newcastle.

We also have a Round one Knockout Cup draw against Edinburgh, so there’s another excellent local derby battle to get our teeth into, all we need now is riders and of course a new sponsor!”

Source: Worldspeedway.com



King’s Lynn: Kevin Doolan is on his way back to King’s Lynn after just one season in the Elite League. He replaces the departing Daniel Nermark who has signed for Workington.

KEVIN DOOLAN is heading back to the Norfolk Arena for the 2008 campaign to form a potent top-order partnership with Tomas Topinka.

This was revealed to the Lynn fans who packed into the stadium clubroom on Monday evening – but they will have to wait until next week for the complete team line-up. Aussie favourite John Oliver and local racer Simon Lambert were announced as the two reserves.

So it's four down and three to go for the Money Centre Stars, with just over 16 points to play with. Doolan joined the club in 2004, and was part of the treble-winning team in 2006 before moving on to Belle Vue last winter. The supporters' meeting was held just hours after the official announcement that rider-of-the-year, Daniel Nermark, was on his way to Workington.

Club boss Buster Chapman said: "Of course, we are disappointed he's leaving. Dan did a great job for us and never let the club down. He was up for sale from Wolverhampton and there was a big fee on his head which we could not afford. We are doing our sums and in Tomas and Kevin we have a brilliant top two, backed up by J-Lo and Simon as two super reserves."

Jonathan Chapman added: "Kevin comes in on his 2006 average of 8.64 and after the great season he's had at Belle Vue that is a huge bonus for us. A lot of Elite League clubs wanted him, but Kevin is our asset and we have agreed the deal. Kevin says that he wants to come back and help us win promotion to the Elite League.

"The other thing about Kevin is that he is a brilliant team man to have in the pits, just like Tomas always helping the other riders, and that's worth another point or two. We are working on the middle order and we hope to have everything sorted out by next week – to give you all an early Christmas present."

Buster said that Lynn had been looking at the possibility of going into the Elite League. "Yes, there was speculation, but we worked it out that our wages bill would go up by about £150,000," he said. "What a risk that would have been and a year from now we could have been down the pan.

"Our sponsors the Money Centre would have backed us going into the Elite League, but I'm delighted to say they are back on board and we value their support. They have been absolutely marvellous."

* LYNN say they are 99.9 per cent sure that admission prices to the Norfolk Arena will remain unchanged for 2008. "Our costs are going up, just like everyone else, but we hope to make up the difference by attracting more supporters through the turnstiles," said club boss Buster Chapman.

The new season will start on Wednesday, March 12, with a challenge against Ipswich, with the return at Foxhall the following night. Lynn, who will be using an air fence for all home matches, have also agreed a Good Friday double against Birmingham in the Premier Trophy. It's noon at Lynn, then the return at 7.30pm.

Season tickets will be on sale at the supporters' meeting next Wednesday, December 12, at 7.30pm.

Source: Lynn News



Sheffield: The Tigers have moved to re-sign five of their 2007 side.

SHEFFIELD Tigers are hoping to keep their top five from last season - with Paul Cooper, Ben Wilson and Joel Parsons currently in talks with the club. The Owlerton side have already confirmed Ricky Ashworth and skipper Andre Compton for the new campaign which starts next March when, for the first time, they will be chasing promotion to the Elite League.

Reserve James Cockle was told very quickly he would not be required and he has since been fixed up with Mildenhall - and colleague James Birkin-shaw, who remains popular on the Owlerton terraces, will also miss out if the top five slips into place. What do you think? Post your comments below.

Club owner Neil Machin said: "We've made a good start with our top two riders and hopefully the rest will follow. We're making no secret of the fact that we want to keep the bulk of last season's team and we feel confident that will be achieved.

"The points limit of 41.5 seems sensible and it gives us the option of continuity. The riders are all capable of improvement and, with the abolition of the aggregate bonus point, we need to look towards winning away meetings. I feel the top five from last season have what it takes and hopefully we will be able to finalise things over the weekend."

Club assets Lee Complin and Richard Hall have joined Stoke and Scunthorpe respectively and Kyle Legault is in talks with Mildenhall. Both Legault and Complin had been hoping to double up with Elite League clubs after handing in transfer requests at Owlerton - but that facility was scrapped at the AGM.

Source: Sheffield Star


Workington: The Comets will stage one of British Speedway’s Super7even events next year for the first time.

Derwent Park missed out last season when the Super7even series was introduced to promote the sport’s top meetings. But new owner Keith Denham, right, instructed team manager and co-promoter Ian Thomas to make sure he came back from the BSPA annual conference last weekend with one of the Super7even for Derwent Park.

Denham said: “He didn’t let me down and I’m absolutely thrilled that we have the opportunity to stage the Premier League Fours on Saturday, July 26. We are doing everything in our power to make Derwent Park the best track in the country, guaranteed to produce exciting racing so it will be really good to be part of this major speedway package.

“The Premier League Fours in 2006, when Alan Mogridge set-up a Workington win in his last outing, was probably one of the most dramatic and enthralling meetings Derwent Park has ever staged.

“I can’t promise anything as emotional as that but I will guarantee that Derwent Park will be at its best and it will be a memorable night for Workington speedway and the fans.” Derwent Park staged the Premier League Best Pairs for three years and then the Fours for another three before missing out this year.

Comets tickets will stay at £13 next season while children will be admitted free all season – as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Pensioners and students will pay £10 and children under-15, not accompanied by an adult, £5. A family ticket will be £30.

Source: News and Star