SPEEDWAY News


NATIONAL LEAGUE UPDATE

BRITISH Speedway’s National League will have 10 clubs next season.
Club bosses met at the offices of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association to run through plans for the 2018 campaign.
Coventry Bees, who will be racing at Leicester next season, have been accepted as new members with Lakeside Hammers and Cradley Heathens dropping out - although the latter have been accepted into the National Trophy.
Clubs must build their teams to a total team average of 39.
British Speedway chairman Keith Chapman said: “We are pleased to see clubs committed to the National League and committed to bringing young riders through the system.
“There’s not much change in the league which is good to see and I’m sure it will be an exciting league next season.
“We have many projects we are working on and we are hoping to see the Motor Cross riders who have registered their interest in our great sport filtering into the NL at stages during next season.”
The Knockout Cup draw is expected to take place in the next 24-hours.

NL AGM SUMMARY

CLUBS
2018 National League
10 teams
IN: Coventry (subject to confirmation)
OUT: Cradley Heath, Lakeside

NL POINTS LIMIT
39-pt total

NATIONAL TROPHY

North: Birmingham, Buxton, Coventry, Cradley Heath, Stoke

South: Eastbourne, Isle of Wight, Kent, Plymouth

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

To follow

(SPEEDWAY 1)

NEWCASTLE have confirmed they are all set to compete in the 2018 SGB Championship and expect to make rider announcements shortly.
Negotiations are being finalised for a new co-promoter to join the Diamonds to replace Alan Hedley and work alongside George English and Andrew Dalby as shareholders of the promoting company.
English said: “The most important thing is that we act realistically to ensure that we go beyond one more season, and to that end I’m sure that our supporters would prefer we safeguard our continuation in the sport in the more long-term rather than just looking to deal with one season at a time.
“We're still looking to make sure our supporters have an entertaining time at our meetings with additional attractions to enhance the racing, and we are working at ways to achieve that while never detracting from the actual action itself.
“The management are determined to make this work and we have several internal targets to aim at, and we trust our loyal band of supporters will understand this more pragmatic approach towards securing our position in the sport.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

PETERBOROUGH have appointed Neil Watson as co-promoter for a third spell with his hometown club.
Watson re-joins the Panthers having been with Coventry since 2012 although he has continued to be a regular visitor to meetings at the East of England Arena.
Club owner Ged Rathbone said: “Neil has long been a friend of this club and its supporters, his knowledge and expertise of the sport’s rulebook is second to none and we welcome him to the management team as a replacement for Trevor Swales who retired at the end of the 2017 season.
“Neil is of course local to the track and that additional support is vital to us to ensure the smooth running of Peterborough Speedway going forwards.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

MILDENHALL have signed Josh Bailey to form a powerful spearhead with fellow newcomer Danny Ayres in 2018.
The Fen Tigers have confirmed their team building so far leaves no places available for previous heat-leaders Jon Armstrong, Danny Halsey and Connor Mountain, although Armstrong is set to be honoured with a Testimonial meeting at West Row next season.
Promoter Kevin Jolly said: “Josh is another big signing for Mildenhall, and like Danny Ayres is an out-and-out number one in the National League. I am sure they will work well together and also challenge each other at the top of the team.
“This top-end strength had been missing on away tracks last season and we want to be a threat wherever we ride next season. With these two leading from the front I am sure we will achieve that objective.
“It is never easy to let any rider leave the club when you have signed them previously and this has proved particularly difficult with Jon, Danny (Halsey) and Connor. All three have given wonderful service to the club over the years and have been great people to have around the pits.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

EASTBOURNE youngster Tom Brennan will be back at Arlington next season to take a heat-leader role.
16-year-old Brennan started the 2017 campaign at reserve but shot up the Eagles’ order and briefly took the No.1 position before settling in the main body of the side and posting the National League’s most improved average.
Brennan said: “We were so close to winning the league last season and I hope we can go one more.
“The team Connor and Martin (Dugard) have built is very strong and a really good unit; everyone gets along well and that makes a big difference.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

CRADLEY are set to race on in 2018 with a National Trophy campaign featuring home matches at Monmore Green.
The Heathens withdrew from league competition after eight seasons but will now join Birmingham, Buxton, Coventry (subject to confirmation) and Stoke in home and away Trophy clashes in a bid to reach the Final.
Co-promoter Gary Patchett said: “Whilst we thank David Mason (Birmingham) for extending an invitation for the club to use Perry Barr again it is not viable for us to do so.
“We made a pledge to our supporters to do everything in our power to keep the club on track next season and this was the only option open to us.
“We thank the other member clubs of the NL for allowing us the opportunity to keep the name of this great club alive.”


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