Speedway News

Mildenhall's team building plans are under way for the new Conference League season ahead as promoter Tony Mole confirmed the return of two of last year's heat leaders to the team.

Wimbledon Speedway are close to finalising their 2002 line up after capturing four new riders, with the final team member set to be unveiled next week.

As it has so in recent years, the Premier League has a very open look about it with a number of teams in with realistic title chances.

Almost 150 riders will be on hand at this Sunday's first ever Speedway Great Britain Exhibition. That means the event, which takes place at the National Agricultural Centre in Stoneleigh, is likely to mean the biggest ever turnout of riders in one place.

World Champion Tony Rickardsson will face his predecessor Mark Loram in Poole's Golden Jubilee Meeting on June 3. They are the first two riders to be announced for the prestigious event which will carry a first prize of ?7,500.

New Mildenhall promoter Tony Mole has made his first signing as boss of the Fen Tigers by recruiting Graham Drury as the club's General Manager - the man behind the hugely popular Telford Ice Speedway series.

The management of Wimbledon Speedway have pronounced themselves "extremely satisfied" with the outcome of last weeks' meeting of Conference League Promoters.

All of the Whale Toyota Bees team for 2002 and co-promoters Martin Ochiltree and Colin Pratt will be at the National Agricultural Centre in Stoneleigh this Sunday [March 10] for the inaugural Speedway Great Britain Exhibition.

Mark Loram is backing his new club Eastbourne to mount a serious Elite League title challenge. The former world champion will form an exciting spearhead with fellow Great Britain test star Joe Screen.

Louis Carr is the new training and development officer for British Speedway. The former Ellesmere Port and Belle Vue rider has vast experience in coaching youngsters after a successful spell at Sheffield who have won two Conference League titles in succession.

Wimbledon Dons are back in British speedway after confirmation of the new Conference League structure. The Plough Lane club have entered all Conference competitions which means at least 17 meetings will be staged in South London.

Impact Exhibitions & Signs Ltd and Swindon Speedway are pleased to announce that they have signed a two-year agreement for the company to become the club's main Team Sponsor.

Arena Essex has proudly announced the purchase and installation of a permanent air fence for the Arena Essex speedway circuit.

Peterborough have moved swiftly after the Brett Woodfield work permit set-back to complete their squad with the signing of Henning Bager who arrives on-loan from Glasgow.

Mildenhall speedway has been saved from closure today as the club were represented by their new (and as yet unnamed) promoter at today's Conference League promoters' meeting and were accepted into the league.

Jarek Hampel has hinted at a return to Elite League club Ipswich in the near future. The talented young Pole has opted to miss British racing to concentrate on his Polish and Swedish League schedule.

Newport have named the fit again Ben Howe as replacement for their injured Australian Ashley Jones. Howe, a former England international, has spent a considerable time out of the saddle waiting for his own injuries to heal.

Reading Promoter Pat Bliss may well take over as team manager of the Racers for the forthcoming season. "It could well be a joint effort," she said. "I don't mind doing the away matches, but I can't obviously do the home meeting as I'm too busy in the stadium office."

Belle Vue have been rocked by the news that talented Pole Tomasz Jedrzejak has been refused a work permit. Jedrzejak is well short of the five-point average needed under new criteria agreed this winter.

Jason Bunyan today secured his third major financial sponsorship deal since joining the Reading Racers.

Newport are lining up a new signing to replace injured Australian Ashley Jones. Jones is recovering from a broken arm and will miss the start of the British season which means the Wasps must find a replacement.

Mildenhall speedway will go out of business unless a new promoter rides to the rescue in the next week. Dingle Brown, who has run the Fen Tigers in the Conference League for the last seven years, has pulled out -- and two possible takeover moves have not materialised.

Shropshire's Wayne Broadhurst regained the British Open Ice title with a 15-point maximum at Telford on the weekend.

Peterborough team plans for the new Elite League season have been dealt a huge blow after Brett Woodifield was refused a work permit.