BRITISH Speedway bosses have worked together to ensure rider availability is at maximum levels next season.
With designated race nights for the Premiership and Championship, promoters have co-operated with each other like never before to ensure teams are at full strength.
It’s a move which has been welcomed by everyone throughout the sport and British Speedway Promoters’ Association vice chairman Rob Godfrey is delighted.
He said: “We’ve done the fixtures slightly different this year. We all sat around a table to work between the two leagues to try and avoid clashes.
“It was mainly because of Swindon needing to do some Thursdays at the Abbey because of stadium availability issues, they can’t run on Wednesdays there.
“I’m pleased to say clubs like Redcar, Ipswich and Sheffield co-operated with Swindon and it appears to have worked out well.
“In addition, on Good Friday Poole and Somerset wanted to do meetings and because of doubling-up issues I have made the decision to stage my opening meeting at Scunthorpe on Sunday April 1.”
To view the SGB Premiership and Championship fixtures go to www.speedwaygb.co and via the 'Fixtures' tab then select each month of the season.
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IPSWICH promoter Chris Louis is relishing the return of Good Friday to the club’s fixture schedule this season.
The Witches are set for a busy opening day on March 30 as they face SGBC newcomers Lakeside home and away in the Championship Shield, with the Foxhall meeting starting at 2.15pm.
Louis said: “Good Friday meetings have been such a tradition at the club for so many years that we have missed it the last couple of years, it is really good to have that back.
“I’m looking forward to it being against the Championship new boys Lakeside who have put together an extremely strong side, so we couldn’t have a tougher opposition to open up with.
“We go straight into action but the team will be well prepared with at least a couple of practice days around Foxhall before that, and they will have been away to Macon in France at the start of March. They will have spent a lot of time together.”
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LAKESIDE will honour the memory of one of their greatest riders when they launch their new era at Purfleet this season.
The Hammers will open up on Friday March 23 with the Lee Richardson Spring Classic as they pay tribute to the former GB star who tragically passed away after a crash in Poland nearly six years ago.
Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “Time moves on but we never forget Lee, he is a true club legend and a Hammers icon. Think of Lakeside Hammers and you think of Lee Richardson.
“He was a class act, very professional and always had the best machinery to ensure he could score as many points as possible for the club.
“There are exciting times ahead for Hammers fans and we believe this is a great way to launch the season.”
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SHEFFIELD legend Simon Stead has confirmed he will officially bring the curtain down on a glittering career at Owlerton on Sunday March 25.
Stead, the current Tigers manager, won every major honour available during his two spells with Tigers – starting with the Premier League title way back in 1999, and has already made his mark as team boss with their SGB Championship success last season.
He said: “For one last time, I do want to do my final laps around Sheffield - even if I can't promise how quick they'll be!
“I couldn't have had my Farewell at anywhere else but Owlerton. It's the place I call home, I've spent so many years of my career there and I want to give something back to the fans who've supported me through thick and thin for a long, long time.
“I want to give the Sheffield public one of the biggest, most spectacular meetings they've ever had at Owlerton - and we've had a few in the past, trust me!”
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STOKE have completed their line-up for 2018 with the signing of Sam Woods.
The 24-year-old joins the Potters after previous National League spells with Kent, Rye House and Mildenhall, and completes a major team re-build at Loomer Road with just two members of last season’s side returning.
Promoter Dave Tattum said: “I’m pleased that we have Sam on board, he is someone we have been keeping tabs on over the past year or so and he also contacted us wanting to ride for Stoke this year.
“I’m looking forward to this coming season - we have revamped the side and do have a younger line-up than in past years, and I really believe that most are capable of putting points onto their average this season.”
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BELLE Vue Colts have confirmed the return of Kyle Bickley and the addition of Ben Woodhull for their National League title defence this year.
Bickley was one of the sensations of the 2017 season, adding 3.67 points to his assessed 3.00 starting average, whilst Woodhull had time as the Colts’ No.8 and also a stint with rivals Buxton last year.
Bickley said: “I’m over the moon to be back at Belle Vue this year. I won the league with them in 2017, and the fans and management are brilliant. Really, I couldn’t be riding for a better club.
“I’ve got plenty to prove this season. I’m looking forward to new challenges with Workington and hopefully making even greater progress in the National League. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Woodhull added: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to ride for Belle Vue on a full-time basis this year. I feel I wasn’t able to fully demonstrate my capabilities riding at No.8 last season.
“I spent a lot of time on the spanners for my brother so I’m hoping to learn from his experiences in the team to help me make a similar impact to him, but I’m not adding any extra pressure to myself.”
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BIRMINGHAM and Coventry have announced dates for season-opening Challenge matches ahead of the National League campaign.
The Brummies will be the first visitors to the Bees’ temporary Beaumont Park home on Sunday March 25, with the second leg at Perry Barr on Wednesday March 28.
Birmingham co-promoter David Mason said: “It's a long-standing rivalry that has existed for years and years and it promises to be a thrilling tie over the two legs this time around.
"Coventry will want to make a winning return - but there's so many reasons why we would love to get off to a winning start too.
“Mitch (Davey) and Callum (Walker) have both raced for Coventry in the National League previously and team manager Laurence Rogers would love to get one over his old team too!
“Coventry also include our former captain Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and he'll want to come back and try and prove a point I guess.”
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PLYMOUTH have unveiled a new logo as they prepare for a fresh era at the St Boniface Arena this season.
The Devils have utilised the work of lifelong speedway fan and artist Tim Beaumont and feel the new design will assist their efforts to market the club in businesses and schools.
Co-promoter Mark Phillips said: “We were aware that a number of supporters wanted a change to the design.
“We have canvassed thoughts and ideas on our social media channels, and have decided on a more friendly and professional design.”
