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LAKESIDE star Peter Ljung has accepted a call-up to the 2012 Grand Prix series.The Swede, 29, gets his chance after Piotr Protasiewicz and Darcy Ward declined their invitations to compete, with organisers to name Ward’s replacement at a later date.Ljung said: “It’s pretty overwhelming at the moment. In a way, although this opportunity was handed to me, I think it was just my turn to have a bit of luck for once.“I’m looking forward to all of them. I’ve been to Copenhagen quite a few times to watch the GP and the atmosphere is fantastic. I’ve always thought ‘I want to do that meeting’ and the same with Cardiff.”
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KING’S Lynn co-promoter Jonathan Chapman expects the Stars to be quick off the mark with their team-building for next season.Regulations for the 2012 season are being finalised at this weekend’s AGM, and the Norfolk Arena club are eager to build on a successful first year back in the Elite League.Chapman said: “We always like to build a team quickly. Even though we were the last team in the Elite League last year, we were the first to announce a full team. We want to make as few team changes as possible.“We thoroughly enjoyed the Elite League this year and we thought it was hugely entertaining and exciting. When something is that good, you don’t want to change it.”
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LAKESIDE co-promoter Jon Cook is in positive mood following the British Speedway AGM which was concluded over the weekend.Cook has taken over as the BSPA’s Vice Chairman and is comfortable with combining that role with his position at Purfleet as he has officials in place there to assist with Hammers business.Cook said: “I feel honoured to be Vice Chairman and to have achieved that by winning an election makes me feel particularly responsible to my fellow members to make sure I do a good job. “I have enjoyed working with Alex Harkess as a member of the Management Committee and feel he has been an exceptionally diligent Chairman in his responsibilities towards our League over a very stormy period of history both in and outside of the sport, and I look forward to continuing that relationship in what we hope will be calmer times.”
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RYE House have named six of their seven proposed starters for their 2012 Premier League campaign – with five riders returning from this season.Skipper Chris Neath, Jordan Frampton, Nelson, Ritchie Hawkins and Luke Bowen all stay at Hoddesdon and are joined by Jason Bunyan, whose average is just 4.74 after a injury-shortened 2011 season at Plymouth.Rockets promoter Len Silver said: “I have put together, when all is hopefully confirmed, seven riders who, as a group, should perform both home and away. The emphasis will be on month-by-month improvement so that we will be at our best just as the play-offs begin. “We’ll have some exciting performers - both young and experienced – to give a good balance to the team, and all of them enjoy personalities which will help them to ‘gel’ as a unit.”
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NEWPORT’S future for 2012 has been secured after a ground-share was agreed with stock-car racing organisation Trojan International.The Wasps had cast severe doubt over their continuation next year for financial reasons, but stock-cars will now run at the venue every other Saturday, with the speedway primarily switching to Friday nights.Club owner Steve Mallett said: “We have had the offer from Trojan International for a time now, but it was only last Wednesday night that I finally made up my mind to accept it. But I could not inform anyone of it until I had confirmed it to the BSPA AGM and now we can plan for next season.“Trojan International owner Craig Robinson will actively become involved with Newport Speedway and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
