(SPEEDWAY 1)
SWINDON have announced a deal has been completed with Troy Batchelor as they finalise plans for their defence of the Elite League title.Batchelor made a triumphant return to the club for a second spell at Blunsdon last season and Robins bosses believe the best is yet to come from the Australian.Co-owner Gary Patchett said: I'm delighted to welcome Batch back on board, there is more to come from him and hopefully we will see the best of him at Swindon in 2013.Our team manager, Alun Rossiter, concluded a deal with Troy on Friday. We are very much looking forward to the new season.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD rider Joe Haines says he was on the verge of quitting speedway before moving to Owlerton last year.Haines, who is back at Owlerton for a second successive season, suffered career threatening injuries in Australia in December 2010 - but he bounced back with an impressive campaign in Tigers colours and is looking forward to the 2013 with confidence.He said: I definitely considered my future in the sport after all the injuries I had and stuff like that. I think the year I came back I returned way too early to be honest. I did think what the hell am I doing? but I stuck with it, and Ive ridden through the hard times.Hopefully the good times are here now and I can keep improving to get to where I want to be. Physically Im like brand new again really, and mentally Im getting my confidence back which is really important.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
KINGS Lynn promoter Keith Chapman has paid tribute to club legend Tomas Topinka as the Czech rider prepares to bring the curtain down on his career.Topinkas Farewell meeting at the Norfolk Arena on Friday will feature the 2013 Stars team taking on a Select team of international stars and former team-matesand Chapman says the event is fully deserved.He said: It shows the respect he has and what sort of rider he was with the line-up he has got. I dont think anyone in speedway has a bad word to say about him.He was a very good rider, very consistent who was nice to have in the team. He was ultra-professional and his sponsors looked after him so that his equipment was immaculate.KINGS LYNN: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Rory Schlein, Mads Korneliussen, Nicolai Klindt, Simon Stead, Sebastian Alden, Kozza Smith.TOPINKA ALL-STARS SELECT: Nicki Pedersen, Andreas Jonsson, Tai Woffinden, Troy Batchelor, Olly Allen, Kevin Doolan, Simon Lambert.
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY MARCH 8:TOMAS TOPINKA FAREWELL: Kings Lynn 7.30
SATURDAY MARCH 9:BEN FUND BONANZA: Berwick 6.30
SUNDAY MARCH 10:FREDDIE LINDGREN TESTIMONIAL: Wolverhampton 5pm
