(SPEEDWAY 1)
READING kicked off the Elite League season with an emphatic 56-37 win over defending champions Peterborough.Hans Andersen (17) scored almost half of the Panthers' points on his own whilst each Reading rider was paid for at least one race win.Bulldogs boss Jim Lynch said: "It was a fantastic performance against a very good team - let’s not forget they are second favourites in the pre-season betting."
(SPEEDWAY 2)
BIRMINGHAM are keen to stress that Wednesday's historic re-opening of the sport in the Second City is not an all-ticket event.The Brummies will have seven turnstiles open for the Alan Hunt Memorial Trophy and supporters can pay on the gate.Promoter Graham Drury said: "It's going to be a very busy night, and it is very important to arrive as early as possible."
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NEWCASTLE have already been hit by an injury setback with reserve Adam McKinna breaking a scaphoid after a crash at the weekend.The Diamonds have called up Ashley Johnson for Thursday's trip to Redcar and are looking for a short-term replacement.Manager George English said: "This is a massive blow for us and Adam, who was an innocent party in the smash on Sunday night."
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WEYMOUTH have been given the go-ahead to stage meetings at their revamped Wessex Stadium circuit.SCB Track Inspector Colin Meredith visited the track on Monday and was full of praise for the renovations which have taken place over the winter.Club director John Hawkins said: "All that remains is for the floodlights to be overhauled this week ready for the season launch on March 31."
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY MARCH 20:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Peterborough v Reading 7.30
WEDNESDAY MARCH 21:CHALLENGE: King's Lynn v Arena-Essex 7.30, Poole v Eastbourne 7.30ALAN HUNT MEMORIAL TROPHY: Birmingham 7.45
THURSDAY MARCH 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Reading 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30CHALLENGE: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30, Sheffield v Mildenhall 7.45
FRIDAY MARCH 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Arena-Essex v Belle Vue 8pm, Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm, Oxford v Peterborough 7.30, Reading v Wolverhampton 8pmSPRING TROPHY: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30PAUL FRY BENEFIT: Somerset 7.30
