(SPEEDWAY 1)

 IPSWICH are adding to their asset base ahead of their move into their Premier League with two of their new signings joining as full assets.Kevin Doolan is set to take over as captain of the Witches as he transfers from King's Lynn, whilst Morten Risager has also become a full-time rider for the Foxhall club in a move from Swindon.Director of speedway Chris Louis said: "I said that our move to the Premier League was centred around rebuilding the club."Both Lynn and Swindon made it clear that both riders were only moving on full transfers and it was clear to me that was what we had to do. It's a gamble for the club right now but our fans made it very clear that whatever our plans for the future, we had to move leagues with a competitive team."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

ANDY Hewlett remains optimistic over plans to bring speedway back to Bristol at Avonmouth in 2012.Hewlett admits noise testing will be required in order to allay concerns from Natural England regarding birds feeding in the vicinity, but he believes a planning application could be in by next summer.He said: "Natural England are just worried about noise generation in general, but by the time we've put the banking up and all the things you'd normally do, I think we'll be able to meet their requirements."They are more concerned about the winter than the summer. As speedway is a summer sport, that goes in our favour and the part of the site we're using for the track is in the far corner."

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury admits he fears former captain Jason Lyons could miss out on British racing next season.Lyons has led the Brummies since their return to the sport in 2007 but has not secured an alternative club in the Premier League with the Perry Barr club moving up to the top flight.Drury said: "It will be a crying shame for a rider who has put in so much service to the sport in this country if he is to be left on the fence and obviously Birmingham fans will be as disappointed as me."I've held back with team building to try and get Jason in on the doubling-up basis agreed at the AGM but regrettably it seems it might not be possible to include him now."

(SPEEDWAY 4)

SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart admits the toughest part of the Tigers' team building was telling popular Paul Cooper that he would not be included.Cooper, who captained the Owlerton club for much of last season, suffered serious injuries in a grasstrack crash but insists he will be fit for the start of the new campaign in March.Hoggart said: "It was a dreadful phone call to have to make but Coops is a sensible lad and he fully understands the situation."My stomach was in knots before I picked the phone up and it's a part of team building which I don't enjoy. When there is a strict points limit somebody has to miss out and in this case it was Coops."

(FIXTURE)

SUNDAY JANUARY 2:

NEW YEAR CLASSIC, Newport 1pm