(SPEEDWAY 1)

1993 World Champion Sam Ermolenko has ended his involvement in the project to bring speedway back to Leicester.The Lions are set to re-enter the sport at a new stadium next year and Ermolenko had been named as "sporting director" having prepared the initial business plan and offered contacts and advice - but he has now described his position as "untenable."A statement from the American said: "Leicester Speedway has become a passion for Sam Ermolenko; to be part of a team to put Leicester back at the head of the domestic speedway scene was a dream. Sam remains a loyal supporter of Leicester Speedway Club and sincerely hopes that their aims and aspirations will come fully to fruition."Leicester chief David Hemsley said: "We wish to thank Sam Ermolenko for his contribution during the very early days of the project to bring speedway back to Leicester."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

FORMER Oxford promoter Bernard Crapper has passed away after a period of ill health.Cheetahs fan Crapper first worked for the club in 1976 and officially took charge with close friend John Payne in 1983 - and with big names such as Hans Nielsen, Simon Wigg and Marvyn Cox in the team, Oxford enjoyed huge success including three British League titles.Crapper was also secretary and treasurer of the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund between 1994 and 2008.Payne said: "I'm gutted. I've lost my biggest mate. We went through some great and memorable times at Oxford Speedway. We also had a few lows, but all-in-all we had a fantastic time."I feel privileged that when Bernard took over the running of the speedway, I was the guy that he insisted ran it alongside him."