Speedway briefs - Monday 22 April.

Staechmann quits worlds.

Jan Staechmann has withdrawn from the Danish rounds of the world championship this weekend - and that means good news for Stoke.

The Potters start their Premier League campaign at home to Reading on Saturday and Staechmann will now be available to ride against the Racers.

"It's something that I wanted to try again, but after careful consideration we felt that the package I have now is not quite right," he said of the world championship opportunity.

Hare benefit fund starts well.

A benefit fund set up to aid paralysed Exeter rider Lawrence Hare has got off to a superb start, with almost ?2000 in the kitty already.

The Falcons' Supporters Club started the ball rolling with a ?1000 donation and a collection during the team's Premier Trophy clash at Somerset raised over ?1700.

"It was a fantastic effort by the fans," Falcons promoter Colin Hill said, "It shows in what high esteem we all hold Lol."