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PETERBOROUGH promoter Ged Rathbone believes a revamped Premier League Fours Spectacular Weekend can become one of the highlights of the European speedway calendar.Rathbone is honoured to be staging the new-and-improved two-day feast of racing at the East of England Showground over the weekend of July 23 and 24 – involving all 13 Premier League clubs.He said: “It is an honour to stage an event of this magnitude in just our second season as a promotion. It is probably the biggest event in the history of Premier League speedway and it is going to be absolutely fantastic.“It is something that has never been done before and something I expect to prove hugely popular. And hopefully it won’t just appeal to fans of the Premier League clubs involved. A great value weekend away like this may well attract fans from overseas.“I believe it can become the Glastonbury of speedway – the one event that everyone wants to be at. We’re offering three top-quality meetings in the space of two days with plenty more going on besides the racing.”
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BRITISH Youth bosses have confirmed an expanded eight-round Championship series this season – including first-ever visits to Glasgow and the new National Speedway Stadium at Belle Vue.There will also be a third new track for the current generation of Youth riders as the series is to visit King’s Lynn for the first time since 2009.Scunthorpe will continue to host a round but spread over the two May Bank Holiday Mondays, as they will run it as a second half event after their PL fixtures on those days.GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “It certainly looks like we are in for a very exciting and busy summer, and along with returning to five of the venues where we hosted a round last season, we are also going to three new venues.“This is very exciting, after getting the backing from the BSPA for us to run the championship over eight rounds for the very first time, after previously running it over six.“It would be fair to say that both Glasgow and the new National Stadium at Belle Vue are probably the two most talked-about tracks at present, and we feel honoured that both tracks are to host a round.”As well as the eight rounds of the Mitas British Youth Championship, the Young Lions will also be holding a Youth Training day at Buxton on Easter Tuesday (March 29).Additionally, for the very first time, they will be staging the British Youth Pairs Championship at the Workington venue Northside on the day before the British Youth Round at Glasgow to make it a great weekend of Youth Speedway in early April.Vatcher concluded: “We have had great backing from the BSPA, and also have some great sponsors on board, so there’s plenty to look forward to.“Our appreciation goes to all our series sponsors: Mitas Tyres, Wessex Marine, Friends of Speedway, Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club, Meridian Lifts, PBHS of Barnsley, Rentruck of Rochdale, Speedway Nut, Trend Creative, Duck Smart Cleaning Products, Kandysoft Solutions and the BSPA for all their help and support.”MITAS BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2016:Glasgow – Sunday April 10Belle Vue – Sunday April 17Scunthorpe (500cc and 150cc) – Monday May 2Scunthorpe (250cc and 125cc) – Monday May 30King’s Lynn – Saturday June 11Rye House – Sunday June 26Leicester – Sunday July 24Redcar – Saturday August 27Eastbourne – Date TBC following publication of National League fixturesAdditional Youth dates:Training Camp for Under 21 and Youth Riders – Macon, France – February 26/27Youth Training Day - Buxton – Tuesday March 29British Youth Pairs Championship – Northside – Saturday April 9
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PLANNING for Swindon’s new Speedway track has taken a big step forward according to North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson.Mr Tomlinson, a loyal supporter of the world-famous Robins, has revealed how the necessary detailed planning document has now been submitted and could be viewed in days rather than weeks.Robins bosses remain confident the Elite League team will be moving into the new site for the second half of the season as the current Abbey Stadium track remains in place until it is ready.Mr Tomlinson said: “Just a quick update to confirm they have (finally) submitted detailed planning details for the Stadium. These are being validated and fees agreed, then they will be processed and we can (finally) view them.“Hopefully this is just a matter of days, but I thought you'd welcome the news that the plans are finally in!”
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THE Isle of Wight have announced plans to open their comeback season on April 7 with the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy.The meeting will celebrate the life of Vince, who passed away at the stadium whilst helping the team.Warriors captain Brendan Johnson said: “Over the years of racing on the island Vince was always a top guy, from helping me unload my race van to just being there for a chat if you needed it. “He was a true gentleman, so for our season opener to be in his honour is great and I will be trying to win it with pride.”The following week, April 14, will see the Warriors host representative line-ups of former clubs Exeter, Weymouth and Southampton in a four-team tournament.
