Speedway News

David Beckham has offered words of support for seriously injured Exeter rider Lawrence Hare.

Mildenhall will reveal the identity of their new rider-coach at their opening home meeting of the season against Wimbledon this Sunday. But it won't be Grand Prix rider Andy Smith who has signed for a Polish club.

The Impact Robins face Yorkshire opposition twice in four days, as first Hull and then Sheffield visit the Abbey Stadium, and the home side have a few injury worries as they enter the start of their Premier League campaign.

All fixtures subject to change. Tuesday June 23: Premier Trophy: Trelawny v Swindon 7.30 Wednesday April 24: Sky Sports Elite League: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30

Premier League champions Newcastle are facing up to an early season injury crisis. Reserve Richard Hall has joined the long list of Diamonds' casualties with shoulder and leg injuries.

Rye House boss John Sampford sang the praises of reserve Chris Courage after the 19-year-old produced the ride of his career to see off Rebel heat leader Neil Collins in the crucial heat fourteen of the Rockets' victory over Somerset at the weekend.

The Fulfilment Factory Monarchs open their 2002 Premier League campaign this Friday with a visit from one of the top sides, the Isle of Wight Islanders. Revenge may be on the Monarchs' minds as the Islanders beat Edinburgh in the final of the Young Shield Playoffs last season.

Last Thursday - at precisely 2pm - a rider by the name of Jimmy Jansson had the honour of riding the first laps around Wimbledon Stadium for some eleven years.

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 Jan Staechmann has withdrawn from the Danish rounds of the world championship this weekend - and that means good news for Stoke.

Stoke Potters promoter Dave Tattum has assembled a mixture of established and fledgling riders for the Stoke Conference League select challenge match against Swindon Sprockets at Loomer Road this Saturday (20th).

Simon Stead retained the British Under-21 title on his home track Sheffield after a controversial showdown with David Howe.

Fans are urged to stop calling the Royal Gwent Hospital to ask about the condition of Lawrence Hare. The Exeter rider has serious kneck and back injuries and the Newport hospital's switchboard has been jammed with concerned supporters throughout the week.

Mark Loram makes his first ever appearance at Edinburgh's Armadale home in Jan Andersen's Farewell Hoedown this Friday. The 2000 world champion was the track record holder at the Monarchs' former home, Powderhall.

This week's entertainment at Armadale is provided by a fine lineup of Elite and Premier League stars, turning out to race for big prizes and also to pay tribute to former Monarchs' rider Jan Andersen, who has been forced into retirement by injury.

This Thursday evening sees the start of Swindon Pro-Fit Sprockets' Conference League Trophy campaign, when they take on much fancied contenders Mildenhall in the first of the Pharmaccord Products sponsored series.

Freddie Eriksson is facing a race against time to be fit for King's Lynn's mid-week home clash with Belle Vue. Eriksson suffered shoulder damage in Lynn's defeat at Eastbourne on Saturday.

Sunday marks the start of a new era as the newest track in the country at the Camarthen Showground opens its doors to speedway at 3pm this Sunday. The go-ahead came last Friday as SCB Manager Ronnie Allan gave the thumbs up to the Camarthen Dragons.

Lawrence Hare is in Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital with serious neck and back injuries. The Exeter rider crashed heavily when chasing home star Craig Watson in Heat 10 of the Falcons' Premier Trophy meeting at Newport on Sunday afternoon.

Mildenhall have unveiled their exciting young reserve pairing for the new season after the signings of hot 17 year-old prospects Thomas Allen and Scott James. The pair will go straight into the Fen Tigers' team for their opening fixture of the season at Newcastle on Sunday at 2pm.

Having defeated local rivals Ipswich in the last two matches staged at the Norfolk Arena, the Silver Machine Knights go for the hat-trick against the Oxford J.T. Commercials Fox FM Cheetahs tonight.

Peterborough co-promoter Ian Jarvis is hoping for revenge when King's Lynn visit the Showground on Friday. Peterborough lost 51-41 at the Norfolk Arena on Saturday and were "dismal" according to Jarvis.

British Speedway weekly news round-up courtesy of Nigel Pearson at the British Speedway Press office - team by team: Sky Sports Elite League: Belle Vue Aces: Belle Vue have finally succeeded in gaining a work permit for Tomasz Jedrzejak.

The Somerset Giants had their first run out of the season as a mini-team immediately after the Trelawny Conference League match, and put in some solid performances.

The Kent Sweepers Hammers continue their home Premier Trophy campaign this Friday when the Isle of Wight Wightlink Islanders provide the opposition at the Purfleet Raceway.