(SPEEDWAY 1)

BIRMINGHAM have added Dutchman Theo Pijper to their squad as the club's official No.8 stand-by rider.Pijper is returning to British speedway this season with Glasgow, but will be available to step in for the Brummies in the Elite League in the event of rider absences.Manager Graham Drury said: "Theo had a fine season last year on the Longtrack and Grasstrack scene and I feel sure he is in for a good year in British Speedway."He's got good equipment and is determined to take this chance with both hands, whatever meetings he gets for Birmingham he will be determined to do well."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

NEWCASTLE have been rocked by the news that skipper Jason King is set to miss their opening matches of the season.King had been expected to be fit following surgery on a cruciate injury, but medical experts have now confirmed his recovery will take a further four weeks.Diamonds co-promoter George English said: "Obviously this has devastated Jason who was winding himself up to the start of the new season and has severely disappointed us as we now have a last minute rush to examine the options open to us."We intend to make the best start to the 2011 campaign that we can and we want 2011 to even outshine 2010, but with Jay still laid-up, we would have preferred a much more positive run in to action."

(SPEEDWAY 3)

LEICESTER are calling on supporters to buy tickets for their re-opening meeting on April 2 in advance - with a capacity crowd expected.The Lions' new stadium can hold 4,500 and the club feel this figure will be reached for the clash with Sheffield, which will mark the first speedway in the city since 1983.Promoter David Hemsley said: "From the information gathered we anticipate a full-house on opening night and we are concerned that we may have to turn people away. That would be a huge disappointment to fans and is a cause of great concern to ourselves."To mitigate the likelihood of this happening and to guarantee entry to the stadium we are now selling tickets in advance for the meeting against Sheffield. The initial take-up has been high and I would urge anyone thinking of attending to buy their ticket in advance."

(FIXTURE)

SATURDAY MARCH 12:BEN FUND BONANZA: Scunthorpe 2.30