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REPRESENTATIVES from across British Speedway attended a Westminster reception on Monday to celebrate the formation of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Speedway.Speakers on the day included Group Chairman Rt Hon Nick Brown MP and Secretary Mark Pawsey MP along with Commercial Executive Michael Addison and BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess.The group was officially established in July, with Newcastle promoter George English the delegated representative from the BSPA Management Committee.English said: “It was an excellent day. We set out on this route eleven months ago and back then we really didn’t think we’d end up here.“There’s an awful lot of work to come in the future, but the group is now in place with an excellent set of officials and back-up from the MPs, and I’m sure they can do some very good work for British Speedway.“They’ve asked us what we want to look at, and that will include items such as planning and environmental issues, and Certificates of Sponsorship issues with the UK Border Agency, and also things like funding and granting.“At least now we have a foot in the door – we might not have it open, but we have a foot in the door. It was also great to see so many speedway representatives there on the day.”
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THE 2014 British Youth Championship will incorporate a new 150cc support class – with the opportunity for youngsters to get involved at reduced cost.Hagon Shocks and Martin Dugard will make available a Standard Box Engine Daytona Anima 150FDX, which will be sold for a price of £700 (RRP £889), including VAT and delivery. The price difference is created by the sponsorship of Hagon Shocks to encourage British Speedway.Dugard, along with youngster Tom Brennan, has already carried out testing, and Tom has completed 320-330 laps – the equivalent of 80 heats or 16 meetings – with only one oil change, and a change of spark plug at a cost of £8.GB Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher said: “On the back of Britain having a World Champion, this is exciting news for young boys or girls who would like to compete in the 2014 British Youth Championship on an inexpensive brand-new speedway machine.”The Young Lions Management can be contacted at younglionsspeedway@hotmail.co.uk for more information regarding purchasing a new engine, and any interest in competing in the series next year.
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COVENTRY asset Ryan Fisher is to return to the club next year after spending the 2013 season on loan with Peterborough.Fisher, who started his UK career with the Bees in 2002, is also set for a Testimonial at Brandon and he becomes the third signing in what is set to be a revamped Bees line-up.Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “I’m very pleased to bring Ryan back to the club. I watched his progress at Peterborough this year, and he had a good season with them.“When you talk to any rider, what they say about Ryan is that they’d rather have him in their team than against them! We know he’s going to chip in with points for us at any track in the country, and he’s great entertainment.”
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EASTBOURNE co-promoter Mike Bellerby is to work on fixture scheduling at Arlington with an increased top-flight programme next season.The Eagles, whose regular race-night is Saturday, will be part of a ten-team competition and face 18 home league matches - four more than in the last three seasons.Bellerby said: “We had a whole series of positive discussions and can now start serious work on planning our 2014 campaign. There is much to do in terms of the team and off-track work as well.“I have the Grand Prix dates and am now looking to get details of other FIM fixtures. With a minimum of 18 home matches to look forward to, we will seek to have greater continuity in our home matches than we have had in recent years.”
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RYE House promoter Len Silver says he would warmly welcome new ownership for Peterborough at Premier League level.Silver has given a positive reaction to the 2014 format agreed by league bosses, and also hopes the Hoddesdon venue can again be part of the successful Great Britain v Australia Test series should it be repeated.He said: “Ignoring any progress in the Cups or Play-Offs, the extended League programme will guarantee two extra competitive matches at home, which will make the fixture list more substantial and also help with weekly continuity.“The sport cannot afford to lose circuits like the East of England Showground, and hopefully new owners will step forward and place them in the Premier League. If that proves to be the case, it would be very exciting for us and our near rivals at Ipswich as it would form a super Anglian Triangle with obvious local derby prospects.”
