(SPEEDWAY 1)

BELLE Vue's four-year campaign for a new stadium has taken a major step forward -with Manchester City Council revealing plans for a major sporting venue.The Eastlands plan includes a new home for the Aces, and it will be put in front of the City Council Executive on March 16 when the club hope to get the green light to build the stadium.Belle Vue chief David Gordon said: "We are thrilled that our vision for the future is so close after all our work. But we must remain patient for a little longer."We have been working very positively with New East Manchester Ltd and Manchester City Council on a proposal to establish a world class speedway stadium in Belle Vue as part of proposals for an exciting Sports Village that involves Taekwondo, Basketball and other sports."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

RYE House boss John Sampford is tipping winter signing Ritchie Hawkins to play a key role in the Rockets' Premier League challenge.The former British Under-21 Champion has moved to Hoddesdon after racing for Somerset last season, and Sampford feels his experience will be important.Sampford said: "When Len (Silver) said he'd signed Ritchie, I was very surprised he was available because of what he had achieved last year."He will be as good as anyone we've had before in that position at home and I think he'll be extremely useful away because he's one of those guys who's been around the circuit for quite a few years and there's nowhere he hasn't seen."