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BRITISH Speedway's first showpiece event of the new season is gathering pace.The Elite Riders' Championship has been switched from the traditional end of season event and will take place at Coventry on Sunday March 23 (6pm).It will feature the No.1 rider from all ten Elite League clubs plus six invited wildcards.Swedish Grand Prix star Freddie Lindgren has already accepted along with Coventry legend Chris Harris and organisers are awaiting replies on others.It means the meeting will see current World Champion Tai Woffinden up against Grand Prix rival and World No.3 Niels-Kristian Iversen, Australian sensation Darcy Ward, new Coventry top rider Hans Andersen, Slovenian star Matej Zagar and other star names.British Speedway events co-ordinator David Hoggart said: “The line-up is almost complete and we will announce further names in due course.“It's a great way to start the season with such a major event under lights at Coventry.“And I have no doubt as current World Champion Tai will be looking to open the season with a major title.”
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POOLE promoter Matt Ford has reassured supporters that speedway will continue at Wimborne Road for “years to come.”Ford was reacting to a Poole Stadium statement issued by Stadia UK, who are investigating the feasibility of incorporating the town’s three sports – speedway, greyhound racing and football – into a new stadium facility.Ford said: “If there is an opportunity to improve the stadium facilities then I will be absolutely thrilled. We will monitor the ongoing dialogue and I will be delighted to embrace anything that can make Poole Stadium better.“But I will reiterate that the speedway will continue to run from March to October and we look forward to going out on track next month as the reigning Elite League champions. With our stunning fan base and incredibly rewarding success, I felt it only right to make it clear to all Pirate devotees and speedway fans in general that Poole Speedway are here for the long haul.”
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LEICESTER newcomer Max Clegg says he is excited by the challenge provided by Elite League racing this season.Clegg was selected by the Lions as part of the fast-track draft process for reserves, and he will link up with his Cradley team-mate Tom Perry at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium.Clegg said: “It’s a good rule as it will give me valuable experience so early in my career and to be able to watch and learn from the top riders is an added bonus.“I had heard that there was a new rule coming in and I was out with some friends one night and someone posted on Facebook ‘welcome to the Lions’ so I rang my Dad to ask him if he knew anymore and he had just received a telephone call from Alan Jones to confirm the news that I had a place at Leicester. I was really pleased as I have heard it is a very good club to ride for and I just want to thank David Hemsley and Alan for having the confidence in my ability.”
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STOKE promoter Dave Tattum says the club can look forward to better times with a re-built team for the new National League campaign.The Potters have made major changes, with only Lee Payne returning from the 2013 side, and they have confirmed their first fixture will be a Challenge against King’s Lynn on March 29.Tattum said: “Last season was disappointing but that’s gone and we have worked unstintingly to group together a great team for the coming year. We have outstanding riders who will lead from the front and I expect us to be difficult to beat anywhere. “I eagerly await the return to the sport of Ben Wilson, who has dedicated himself to being a high quality Number One, and with Jon Armstrong returning to Stoke full of fire we are a tough team - have no doubt.”
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RUSTY Harrison is set to hold his Testimonial meeting at former home track Workington on April 5.Harrison has switched to Glasgow for the new Premier League season but has spent much of his near 14-year UK career with the Comets, and the field for his big night is nearing completion.Full-time top flight men Rory Schlein, Peter Kildemand and Kenneth Hansen – the latter two being former Workington riders – are included, with Theo Pijper and Adam Roynon joining the list this week.Roynon said: “I’m pleased to have the chance to honour him for his career, and also to race back at Workington, a track that I love. I’m track record holder round there, I didn’t ride there last season so going back there after the great year I had at Workington is a little added bonus as well.”
