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GARY Patchett says Swindons warm-up clash with a British Lions side on March 21 at Blunsdon is perfect preparation for the defence of their Elite League title.GB boss Neil Middleditch is set to name a strong team including World Cup regulars, with the exception of Tai Woffinden who will be in New Zealand for the first Grand Prix of the season.Robins co-promoter Patchett said: We are bringing the best British riders together, and we are clearly doing our bit as well to allow Middlo to get his squad together early in the season ahead of the important business later in the year with the World Cup.So it should be a good meeting, and it will provide ideal preparation for us before the Elite League starts and we begin defending our title.

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COVENTRY have been boosted by the extension of their main team sponsorship deal with Buildbase.The builders merchants are on board at Brandon for a tenth successive season, with Regional Director John Clarke saying they always hoped to make it a long-term arrangement.Clarke said: We got the wooden spoon in 2004 and the question was, were we going to go back for a second season? Absolutely. You shouldnt go into things for the short-term, so we went back for year two and we went from one end of the table to the other, and then it was year three, four, five and it just went on and on.The world will always change but a speedway fan is a speedway fanyou go up there and youve got three or four generations all watching the sport. Its a wonderful experience, and the riders amaze me with how approachable they are. Its absolutely superb that this is our tenth year of sponsorship.

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LEICESTER have appointed Dave Darcy as a new co-promoter as they prepare to embark on their third season back in the sport.Darcy joins club owner David Hemsley and fellow co-promoter Alan Jones and will assist with day-to-day matters for the Premier League side.Hemsley said: I have known Dave now for some considerable time and he has been very helpful to me and Leicester Speedway in so many ways. Running a speedway club is a time-consuming operation that relies upon the generosity of so many volunteers to help with the day-to-day responsibilities that come with owning and maintaining a stadium, and Daves appointment is welcomed by me and Alan.