(SPEEDWAY 1)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford believes the battle for Elite League play-off places this season could be the closest in years.Fords side have reached the last three play-off Finals and have won the title four times since 2003, although he is still frustrated by several other near-misses.He said: On paper there looks to be parity throughout. At one stage I thought last years basement club Belle Vue may have missed a beat, but full credit to David Gordon and Chris Morton. They have waited and put together a very impressive side too.It is strange that despite all the success I still look back on the 1999 league title, won by Peterborough, the 2001 title won by Oxford and the 2010 (Coventry) and 2012 (Swindon) titles and know we should have won them all. We were within a fraction of clinching them. (SPEEDWAY 2)
DUDLEY bosses have re-affirmed their commitment to meet with local council leader David Sparks in the search for a new permanent home for the club.The Heathens have been racing in the National League at Wolverhampton since their return three years ago and were surprised to hear comments from Councillor Sparks asking for the club to make contact.Co-promoter Gary Patchett said: Since Councillor Sparks took office a year ago, we have had meetings with his officers and repeatedly asked for a meeting with him. This has not been possible for whatever reason, Im not sure.Having seen his comments, I must express my surprise but also hope we can now find a way forward to meet and discuss what Dudley Councils attitude is towards the potential return of one of the biggest names in the sport to the area. We have 1,000 fans regularly travelling to Wolverhampton for home matches that could be doubled in our own track within Dudley Borough.(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MARCH 16:BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Plymouth 7pmEAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester v Coventry OFF
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20:CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 21:CHALLENGE 1st leg: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon v British Lions 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 22:CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Lakeside v Peterborough 8pmTRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 1st leg: Coventry v Dudley 8pmASHLEY JONES MEMORIAL: Kings Lynn 7.30CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Exeter Select 7.30
