(SPEEDWAY 1)
SCUNTHORPE have named club record points scorer Josh Auty and Australian star Jake Allen as their first two signings for 2018.
Auty will start his seventh successive season with the Championship side and has also been granted a Testimonial whilst Allen returns after a successful late-season stint with the Scorpions this year.
Promoter Rob Godfrey, who also confirmed the club will revert back to Friday home meetings next year, said: “Josh is Mr Scunthorpe and Mr Entertainment, and I can’t think of a rider more deserving of a testimonial meeting.
“His 2017 season had its ups and downs, but by the end of it, he was back to his usual self.
“I’m also delighted to see Jake Allen back at Scunthorpe. He did a terrific job for us at the end of last season. He’s an intelligent racer, with superb track craft.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
LAKESIDE owner Stuart Douglas has confirmed the club are secure at Arena-Essex Raceway – despite the land being sold.
The Thurrock venue has been leased back to the previous owners, Arena-Essex Raceway, to allow motorsport to continue in 2018 with the Hammers moving up into the SGB Championship after one season in the National League.
Douglas said: “At long last we have certainty and with the new site owners already making contact with our representatives we look forward to working with them to provide the joys of Speedway for future generations in Thurrock and the wider Essex area.
“In the meantime we can't wait to launch our new exciting Championship season in March and continue working with the Arena-Essex team at the Raceway in 2018.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW are set to return to their traditional Friday race-night for the first time since 1989.
The Tigers gained permission at last weekend’s BSPA AGM to make the switch next year after one season of Saturday racing, having previously operated on Sundays.
Co-owner Gerry Facenna said: “We’ve made it pretty clear from the day we got involved at the club that our preferred race day is a Friday, and we’re delighted to be moving to Friday nights in what will be our fourth season at the helm.
“We firmly believe that our best chance of growing our fan base is to race on Fridays, and the market research we have carried out backs this up.
“We would like to thank the BSPA and our fellow clubs for supporting our move to Fridays.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter wants to hold talks with star men Jason Doyle and Nick Morris before pressing ahead with his team plans.
The Australian duo secured the SGB Premiership title for the Robins in a dramatic last-heat decider at Wolverhampton last month.
But new rules for 2018 mean teams are limited to one rider with a starting average of over 8.00, meaning the Blunsdon club face a tough choice.
Rossiter said: “We have to look at what effect it will have on Swindon and I want to speak to Jason and Nick to establish their plans for next season before taking it further.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SHEFFIELD co-promoter Damien Bates is keen to make an impression following his elevation to the BSPA Management Committee.
Bates, whose club won the SGB Championship title this year, and Glasgow’s Stewart Dickson were the newcomers to the five-man panel following last weekend’s AGM, taking over from Chris Van Straaten and George English.
Bates said: “I’m honoured to be elected onto management committee but I should also say it’s an honour for Sheffield.
“Hopefully I can have some major input into the sport and do something positive. I’m passionate about everything I do, anybody who knows me will tell you that.”
