(SPEEDWAY 1)

EASTBOURNE are closing in on the signing of Russian star Denis Gizatullin to complete their Elite League line-up.Gizatullin has passed a vital English test and has now lodged a visa application, with club officials expecting that to come through in plenty of time before the Eagles’ opener on March 24.Manager Trevor Geer said: “Our desire to bring Denis into the Eagles team goes back some years. We have never lost interest in him and have continued to track his progress. Now that he has passed the English test, we believe he will get the visa to allow him to ride in Britain.“It has been confirmed that he will come in on a four point average and a rider of his skill and experience should be able to substantially build on that figure. His starting average of four means he will line up at reserve with Timo Lahti.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

RYE House have agreed a fixture change which will now see them visit Somerset on Good Friday, April 6.The Rebels had been due to host Newport on that date, but Rockets promoter Len Silver agreed for his team to make the trip to the West Country due to the uncertainty over the Wasps’ future.Silver said: “Although we have a fixture at Rye House on the same day at 7pm, when the newly re-formed Raiders take on the Isle of Wight in a KO Cup match, I could not see the Somerset promotion go without a fixture on one of the prime dates of the year.“I will be sorry not to be at Somerset in person but I'm sure my seven men will give a good account of themselves under the care of team manager John Sampford.”