(SPEEDWAY 1)

FORMER World Champion Greg Hancock will make a rare appearance on a British track in Mark Loram's Farewell meeting at Poole next Wednesday.Event organisers are delighted to bring in the American following the news that Tomasz Gollob is unavailable, and ex-Grand Prix man Ryan Sullivan has also been added to an all-star line-up.Loram said: "It's great news for me. Tomasz was desperately upset that he couldn't ride and I know his reasons were genuine. But then Greg called to tell me he was coming - it was perfect timing and I knew that I had something really good to counteract the disappointment."It was always my aim to bring over some of the riders that often go unseen in Britain, so to have Greg and Ryan coming next week is brilliant."

(SPEEDWAY 2)

DENNIS Andersson maintained his impressive start to his Poole career with three race wins on his Wimborne Road debut.The Swedish reserve clocked up an eleven-point total in the Pirates' 54-39 challenge match win over Eastbourne, with Davey Watt and Renat Gafurov making successful returns from opening-night knocks.Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: "After all the problems we've had with injuries and the non-availability of Rafal Dobrucki, I was very pleased with the way the team slotted together so quickly."I said after the Eastbourne meeting on Sunday that I was happy with my reserves and once again Dennis and Christian (Hefenbrock) gave us a tail that I'm hoping will wag like this all season!"

(SPEEDWAY 3)

SWINDON have re-scheduled their opening home fixture of the season for next Thursday after ongoing problems in Poland forced a delay.The Robins had planned to host Lakeside but took the decision due to availability issues surrounding Polish riders. The return fixture at Purfleet, which will now become the first leg, takes place as planned on Friday.Swindon co-promoter Gary Patchett said: "There appears to be a stand-off between the F.I.M., PZM and the Polish riders and contrary to what we had originally been led to believe the availability of Polish riders cannot currently be guaranteed."We were acutely aware of the necessity for us to open our home season and track a team that is representative of that which will compete for the Elite League title."

(SPEEDWAY 4)

STOKE have completed their team for the new National League season with the signing of former Plymouth rider Ben Reade.The 20-year-old impressed promoter Dave Tattum during the club's practice session at Loomer Road on Wednesday, beating off competition from several other riders.Tattum said: "I was really impressed with Ben's efforts. He had to do it the hard way on a couple of occasions and had a classic encounter with James McBain in the final with both riders being neck and neck at one stage."He worked hard in the pits and made the bike work, and I'm delighted to welcome him aboard for the new season."

(FIXTURES)

FRIDAY MARCH 25:

PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Berwick 7.30 PREMIER SHIELD 1st leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30 CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Lakeside v Swindon 8pm CHALLENGE: Somerset 7.30

SATURDAY MARCH 26

:BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Stoke 7.30 SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Sheffield 7pm CHALLENGE: Newport v Rest of the World Select 7pm ADRIAN RYMEL TESTIMONIAL: Berwick 7pm

SUNDAY MARCH 27:

CHALLENGE 1st leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30 ADAM SKORNICKI TESTIMONIAL: Wolverhampton 4pm