Speedway News

Reading reserve Stuart Williams has moved on a month's loan to Newport Wasps to replace the out-of-form Matt Cambridge.

The Berwick Bandits opened their 2003 League championship campaign with an unexpected victory at the powerful Hull Vikings last night in a match that has already got the rest of the league sitting up and taking notice.

Wimbledon made light work of a weakened Stoke outfit as they began their home Conference Trophy campaign in style, dropping a mere 4 points in 15 races and running out winners by the massive score of 71-19.

Football fans can look forward to some unusual half-time entertainment when Weymouth take on Hastings United at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday. Instead of majorettes or a brass band, the home of the Terras will be hosting a speedway demonstration during the interval.

Paul Pickering has received a suspended ?1000 fine and eight meeting ban after riding down the Stoke track the wrong way in protest at an unsatisfactory start. Speedway Control Board officer Graham Reeve decided not to refer the matter to a disciplinary tribunal.

Tony Dart has given Midenhall Superior Exteriors Fen Tigers a boost by declaring himself fit for their two away fixtures over the Easter Bank Holiday.

Trelawny hope to have reserve Simon Phillips back in action for their opening Premier League match at Swindon on Thursday evening (7.30). He has missed the last two meetings with a back injury which he suffered while loading a machine into his vehicle on Sunday.

Hopes are high that a new track could be opened in Scunthorpe at Conference League level as early as next season. Campaign organiser Rob Godfrey has been working closely with the council and is hoping to build a track on a plot of land at Normanby Park.

Stoke will now race Sheffield in British League Cup action at Loomer Road on Saturday after putting their meeting with Belle Vue back until later this summer.

Tony Primmer has been named in Poole's British League Cup squad for their trip to Trelawny on Tuesday. The Australian has been signed in a permanent deal from Premier League Workington to add experience.

Reading Racers have another tough test Monday night, when they take on Isle of Wight Islanders in the British League Cup at Smallmead Stadium. The Islanders confidence will be boosted by the 56-34 drubbing they gave Racers last Tuesday, in the first leg of the same competition.

King's Lynn have snapped up Adam Allott (pictured) on loan from Sheffield as a replacement for the out of form Stefan Mell. And in a further team change, Darren Mallett will keep his team place at the expense of Shane McCabe.

Newcastle will hand a debut to Dane Kristian Lund in Monday's British League Cup clash with Glasgow at Brough Park. He replaces fellow countryman Rune Knudsen who made a nightmare start to his British career.

The GMB Dons stormed to the top of the Conference League with a comprehensive defeat of ex-champions Sheffield Prowlers at Plough Lane last night [55 - 35].

The two teams on view at Purfleet on Friday meet for the second time this week as Arena-Essex Speedway welcome the vistors from Berkshire, the Reading Euphony Racers.

Sheffield's inspirational skipper Sean Wilson has declared himself fit for a return to the saddle. He makes his comeback this Thursday for the Tigers' home meeting with Kings Lynn.

Workington's injury jinx has struck again with Rusty Harrison likely to miss the next four weeks. Harrison crashed when guesting for Newcastle against Edinburgh and has suffered a broken finger, tendon damage and a broken bone in his left hand.

Ipswich have been hit by the news that Pole Jarek Hampel is likely to miss the next month with a broken collarbone. He crashed when riding for Wroclaw in a Polish League meeting and he has returned to England for intensive treatment with physio Brian Simpson.

Berwick Bandits notched up their biggest score for many a long month on Saturday night, with even more satisfaction coming from the fact the 32 point win was over their biggest rivals, the Newcastle Diamonds in the next instalment of the new British League Cup.

Swindon Speedway have today announced the signing of Lee Smart on the occasion of his fifteenth birthday, just in time to make his debut for the Sprockets at Carmarthen on Sunday.

Arena Essex are sweating on the fitness of Kelvin Tatum for their Premier League meeting with Exeter at Purfleet on Friday. Tatum is currently nursing a wrist injury and would have missed the postponed trip to the Isle of Wight on Tuesday.

British Speedway weekly news round-up courtesy of Nigel Pearson at the British Speedway Press office - team by team: Elite League: Oxford boss Nigel Wagstaff was in a jubilant mood after seeing his side grab a last gasp 46-44 win at Belle Vue.

Swindon Speedway have today announced that two prestigious meetings will be staged at Blunsdon later this season.

The new-look AF Stocktaking Hammers survived a determined fightback from a spirited Isle of Wight Islanders side to claim an opening league victory in a thrilling meeting.