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LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook has hailed the new era for top-flight racing in the UK next season.There is a firm emphasis on British youth, as all ten clubs will be tracking two riders from a list of rising stars selected by national senior and Under-21 officials.Cook said: “We are very pleased. It’s like a return to the days of old with a really British League, and it was very cool that Britain’s very own World Champion Tai Woffinden was the first person to give the thumbs up to Elite promoters’ decision to follow our Swedish and Polish League counterparts by including two British youngsters at six and seven in all 2014 line-ups.“I know our fans will be absolutely delighted at our extended fixture list and I am looking forward to going into more details of the season ahead at our fans’ forum next Friday at the Park Inn.”

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PETERBOROUGH’S owners have stressed their decision to walk away from the sport was not one which was taken lightly.Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney have put the Panthers up for sale after over five years at the helm, and the door does remain open for the club to compete in British Speedway next season if a buyer can be found.Mahoney said: “We’ve put a heck of a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, into it and I don’t know where we could take it now – it’s sad and unfortunate that we’ve got to this point but there has to come a time where you have to say enough.“Anyone who wants to contact us about continuing speedway is welcome to do so, and naturally there are no debts whatsoever. We’re willing to have a conversation with anybody who has got any suggestions about taking the club forward.”

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SCUNTHORPE have confirmed the signing of spectacular racer Josh Auty for a third successive season next year.The former British Under-15 Champion rode at No.1 for the Scorpions throughout the 2013 campaign, and joins Australian rider Ryan Douglas in returning to the Lincolnshire club.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Josh is Mr Entertainment around the Eddie Wright Raceway. He simply never knows when he is beaten – we’ve seen him pull off some amazing rides around Scunthorpe. He’s often been the last-heat hero.“It was a complete no-brainer to bring back Josh. It was totally mutual. We want him to ride for us, and in return, he wants to ride for Scunthorpe.”