(SPEEDWAY 1) COVENTRY have announced plans to reviv the prestigious Brandonapolis individual event on Friday, March 26. The meeting was traditionally held in the immediate aftermath of the one-off World Final, bringing together the majority of riders from that meeting, before it disappeared from the calendar in the mid-80s. The Brandon club have now decided to re-launch the event as an early-season meeting with a line-up which is expected to include several Grand Prix riders, and a substantial prize fund on offer.
Four-times World Champion Hans Nielsen was the last regular winner of the Brandonapolis back in 1985, although two variations of the meeting have since been held with home star Rory Schlein taking the honours from a handicap event in 2007. (SPEEDWAY 2) DUDLEY'S application to join the National League has been accepted. The Heathens, carrying the nickname of the famous old Cradley Heath speedway team, will come to the tapes in April with their home matches shared between Birmingham's Perry Barr and Wolverhampton's Monmore Green.
Club chairman Nigel Pearson said: "This is a wonderful boost for us all. Ever since we announced the plans for the new club we have been keeping our fingers crossed and now it has become reality.
"I must emphasise this would not be possible without the wonderful support of Chris Van Straaten at Wolverhampton and Gary Patchett at Birmingham who are both very keen to see the Heathens find a new home eventually. "But they are also firm believers in giving younger riders an opportunity and that's something both team manager Will Pottinger and myself are keen to do. Our first signing will reflect that.
"It's not Cradley, but it's the next best thing. Heathens fans have a league team to support for the first time since 1996." Opening-night for the Heathens has been set for Wednesday April 7, when the touring USA Dream Team will visit Perry Barr, with their first meeting at Wolverhampton the following Tuesday. (SPEEDWAY 3) BIRMINGHAM have been boosted by the renewal of their team sponsorship deal with BRC Roofing. And the arrangement will continue to include publicity and fund raising for Birmingham Children's Hospital. Kevin Taylor of BRC admits he simply couldn't resist the chance to stay with the Brummies - despite tough trading conditions. He said: "It's no secret that times are tough out there, particularly in our line of business, where people are doing half as much and taking twice as long to decide. "But we simply couldn't walk away from our speedway. We are massive fans (wife Julie is at Perry Barr with Kevin every week) and the sport is very family friendly."
