(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORLD Champion Greg Hancock has arrived in the country ahead of his appearance in three early-season meetings in the coming days.Hancock enjoyed a practice session at Coventry, where he will compete in the Brandonapolis on Friday before racing in Shane Parker’s Farewell at Sheffield on Sunday, and then at Peterborough on Monday – as well as meeting fans in a special Dudley-organised event on Saturday.Coventry co-promoter Colin Pratt, who first brought Hancock to the UK in 1989, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Greg back as the reigning World Champion and we’re looking forward to seeing him compete in our meeting.“To win two World titles some fourteen years apart is an absolutely remarkable achievement in what has been an outstanding career, and I know he’s still keen to go for another one.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue’s winter signing Travis McGowan could miss the start of the new season after being caught up in a paperwork delay.The Australian rider has a Swedish wife and lives there rather than in his home country but has still suffered the problem with the Aces’ opening fixture at Sheffield just a week away.Belle Vue boss Jim Lynch said: “Travis is waiting for a number to be issued to him by our authorities. If he gets it soon there is a chance of him being able to fast-track it through the Swedish system so he can come in and ride.“But we have to look at the possibility of him missing the start of the season and I have a rider in mind who I can bring in if necessary.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
EASTBOURNE have confirmed the visa for Russian racer Denis Gizatullin is in place enabling him to appear at the club’s press and practice session on Saturday.Gizatullin will start at reserve for the Eagles and is keen to get plenty of laps under his belt ahead of their Elite League opener against Belle Vue on March 24.Team manager Trevor Geer said: “Denis is so keen to get started and is certainly up for the challenge. We are also keen to see him out on track and I know our fans feel the same way. Everyone wants to see him in action and Saturday is the first opportunity for supporters to take a look at him.“Press and practice day is always popular with the fans and this year, with the introduction of Denis, it will be even more so.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
GARY Cottham has joined the Isle of Wight on a full transfer from Rye House and becomes the Islanders’ final signing for the new National League season.Cottham returns after joining the Smallbrook club halfway through last season and they are hopeful that he will prove to be a trump card at reserve.Co-promoter Chris Hunt said: “We've signed Gary on a full contract from Rye House after some positive meetings last year for us where he came in at very short notice. We would like to thank Len Silver at Rye House for his help with the transfer. “Gary has a vast amount of experience and should be one of the best if not the best reserve in the league. He has been to all the tracks and is quick out of the starts.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SOMERSET will include top Australian star Darcy Ward as a guest in their Challenge matches against Elite League Swindon next week.The Robins will be fielding their full 1-7 including new top two Troy Batchelor and Hans Andersen in the matches against the Premier League club.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Whilst we have a great number 1 of our own in Jason Doyle, we obviously needed to strengthen up a bit for the two matches against Swindon and so we have drafted Darcy into our side for that very purpose.“Obviously this means that we will have to shuffle what will be our normal 1-7 around a bit to accommodate Darcy’s inclusion, but we did not wish any of our septet to miss out on riding in these matches, so the plan is that Kyle Newman and Tom Perry will share the No.7 reserve rides.”
(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MARCH 15:ANGLIAN CUP 1st leg: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30NORTHERN CHALLENGE 1st leg: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 16:BRANDONAPOLIS: Coventry 8pmCHALLENGE 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Leicester 7.30
SATURDAY MARCH 17:ANGLIAN CUP 2nd leg: Rye House v Ipswich 7pmFENCE FUND CHALLENGE: Berwick 7pmMAGNUS KARLSSON TESTIMONIAL: Leicester 7.30
SUNDAY MARCH 18:NORTHERN CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 7pmBOB KILBY MEMORIAL: Swindon 6pmSHANE PARKER FAREWELL: Sheffield 5pm
