SPEEDWAY News

(SPEEDWAY 1)

LAKESIDE have named their team for the 2011 Elite League season - with PiotrSwiderski joining the squad which just missed out on the play-offs lastyear.Swiderski, who had a successful short-term spell with the Hammers in 2009,joins Lee Richardson, Adam Shields and Kauko Nieminen with Peter Ljung alsoreturning after impressing in the latter stages of last season.Robert Mear is set to make his comeback at reserve after sitting out 2010,whilst the other position will be shared by Stuart Robson and Kyle Legaulton a doubling-up basis.Manager Jon Cook said: "We wanted to make the most of what we had and alsobuild into the team a harder edge for away trips and I believe that's wherethis season's team will pick up the extra points we need to make up for lastseason's poor showing."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

AUSTRALIAN veteran Jason Lyons will be back in British speedway this seasonafter agreeing a deal with Redcar.Lyons has captained Birmingham for the last four seasons but now makes themove to Teesside following the Brummies' elevation to the top flight.Bears boss Brian Havelock said: "'I had great co-operation from the Brummiesclub owner Tony Mole in getting a deal set up and I'm delighted to have suchan experienced and prolific rider coming on board for the new season. Mythanks to Tony for that."We are getting there in assembling a new squad and once certain paperworkis processed then another signing can be unveiled."

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SOMERSET are to break new ground in 2011 by supporting the National Autistic Society with the joint aim of raising funds and the profile of the organisation.Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock said: "One of our aims is for the Rebels to become a bigger part of the community, and one of the NAS local facility centres, Somerset Court, is just a stone's throw away from the Oak Tree Arena."The idea was the brain-child of our Press Officer, who has first-hand experience of those on the autistic spectrum as his partner's daughter suffers from the condition, and it got the immediate support of the Rebels' management team."We are planning to specifically devote one of our meetings this year to fund-raising for the NAS, but are also looking into other ways that we can support the Society, for example, our riders' bike covers will carry The National Autistic Society logo as well as those of our team sponsors and partners, and we will be placing the Society's logo on our club website with a direct link through to the NAS website."

(SPEEDWAY 4)

BEN Barker is to use the winning formula in his bid to lift the British Open Ice title at Telford next month.The Elite League title winner is the latest star name to be added to the showpiece event on Sunday, February 13.And he has tracked down the specialist ice bike used by Shropshire's own Wayne Broadhurst, one of the most successful riders on the tight Telford circuit down the years.He will be joined in the event by former Coventry colleague Jordan Frampton, who has been drafted into the meetings because of his small track expertise with Rye House.Telford co-promoter Graham Drury said: "Ben has told me he has been itching to race at Telford and now he has the chance to impress. He's a spectacular rider who is always good at playing to the crowd and putting on a good show."


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