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SOMERSET have announced Ty Proctor will take over as the Rebels’ No.1 this season with Jason Doyle ruled out of their plans.Doyle, who has fallen foul of visa regulations this winter, may still be able to ride in the UK this year via a temporary Tier 5 visa – but that could limit him to racing for just one club, which would be top-flight Leicester.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Jason has qualified, by virtue of his second place finish in the recent Australian Championships, for the Grand Prix qualifying meetings in 2014, which could ultimately see him lining up in the World Championship GP Series in 2015. It was felt that in order to give him the best chance possible to do this, he should be pitting himself on a consistent basis against top quality opposition and to do this he needs to be riding in the Elite League.“Having looked at the riders that were possible options for us, the main consideration was the fact that Ty would be missing the least number of matches due to any fixture clashes between ourselves and Wolves, which would help us to maintain a consistent line-up and not having to rely on using guest riders on too many occasions.”(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEICESTER’S hopes of including Jason Doyle as their No.1 for the coming season have received a boost – although a resolution to the winter visa issues is yet to be confirmed.Doyle’s initial application was turned down a fortnight after he signed for the Lions, but the club have kept in touch with authorities rather than make immediate changes and Doyle could now receive a Tier 5 visa.Leicester promoter David Hemsley said: “I have been in constant contact with Jason since it was first known that his Tier 2 (Sportsperson) application had been declined and have also been liaising with the UK Border Agency and the BSPA in an effort to bring the situation to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties. “Discussions are still ongoing and progress is being made towards allowing Jason back into the UK on a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) Sponsorship. In such circumstances caution is the key word but we are doing everything possible and hopefully I will soon be in a position to confirm that Jason Doyle will be leading the Lions in 2014.”

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EASTBOURNE’S main team sponsor Lifestyle Motor Group have committed to the club for a fourth successive season.The new and used car dealership operates across Sussex, Kent and Surrey which reflects the catchment area for the Arlington club.Eastbourne commercial manager Connor Dugard said: “This is fabulous news for Eastbourne Speedway. Lifestyle have been loyal and supportive sponsors for a number of years and everyone associated with the club is delighted to be working with them again.“It’s a great fit. Lifestyle are operating in just the areas where our support is at its strongest.”

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FORMER World Champions Tony Rickardsson and Mark Loram will make special appearances as team managers at Gary Havelock’s Farewell meeting on March 21.Rickardsson and Loram both rode alongside Havelock at Poole, the venue for his major event, and confirmed starters for the meeting are Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Freddie Lindgren, Martin Vaculik, Chris Harris, Ty Proctor, Bjarne Pedersen, Craig Cook and Richie Worrall.Havelock said: “I had five wonderful years riding for Poole and during that time Mark and Tony were at the club at different spells and were absolutely adored by Pirates fans – winning races for fun.“For Tony, this is a huge commitment. It’s all arranged and he is bringing along his family too. The same goes for Mark who has organised his diary to attend.”