(SPEEDWAY 1)PREMIER League Champions Scunthorpe will make just one change from this season when they defend their title in 2013.
The Scorpions are the first club to declare their starting line-up – with Josh Auty, David Howe, Thomas Jorgensen, Ashley Birks, Michael Palm Toft and Gary Irving all returning, and being joined by 19-year-old Australian prospect Ryan Douglas.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We feel it is a very strong side, full of riders capable of improving their averages. I’m sure the fans will approve of so many of the Premier League championship-winning side returning for another season.
“The one rider departing is Nick Morris. We thank Nick for his efforts for the Scorpions in the latter half of 2012, and for helping to bring the league championship to the Eddie Wright Raceway. We also thank Nick for recommending Ryan to ride for the Scorpions.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)WOLVERHAMPTON have been handed permission to open talks with Californian star Ricky Wells.
Club owner Chris Van Straaten was given the green light by his Coventry counterpart Mick Horton at the British Speedway AGM over the weekend – with a permanent deal a possibility.
Van Straaten said: “We will open talks with Ricky this week. He’s very keen to come back to Wolverhampton and had a fine season with us.
“We will see how those talks go and the possibility of purchasing his contract may come into play, but it’s too soon to talk like that.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)DUDLEY Heathens bosses have revealed how the decision to remain at National League level for 2013 was made to protect the long term interests of the club.
Club partners Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett attended British Speedway’s AGM over the weekend, but did not make an application to join the Premier League following weeks of detailed discussions.
Chairman Nigel Pearson said: “We consulted other promoters, looked at the costs involved in running at the higher level and took on board the views of our wonderful fans. In the end we decided it was right to remain in the National League, working with British youngsters for the 2013 season.
“We have worked on this project for three seasons now and the ultimate aim has always been to find a piece of land to take the Heathens into their own home. We didn’t want to jeopardise that in what are very difficult economic times.”