Speedway News

Marvyn Cox is back at his former club Oxford, to act as the British Elite League champion team's new coach and scout.

Last September when the ambitious plans to resurrect Wimbledon Speedway were first made public, no one was prouder than the newly appointed Captain for the 2002 season, Chris Hunt.

Oxford rider Andrew Appleton has won the New Zealand Solo Championship at Kihikihi. Appleton claimed the title after a walkover run-off against Nathan Murray, who was excluded after lifting and losing control of his bike out of the start.

Dingle Brown may quit as promoter at Mildenhall in an effort to keep the club in the Conference League. He disclosed today there had been approaches from two interested parties, who were keen to take charge despite the major problem presented by new track regulations.

Ipswich have completed their 2002 line-up with the signing of veteran 37-year-old Carl Baldwin. The Hadleigh-based Baldwin, who has not ridden regularly since 1989, predicted: "If I come good Ipswich will win the league."

Lee Richardson has agreed terms with Coventry after returning from a winter trip to New Zealand. Richardson, a former World Under 21 Champion, has been with Coventry since a tribunal fixed ?22,500 transfer from Poole in 2000.

Basildon, Essex based speedway rider Colin White will be making sure his colleagues at Arena Essex are tailor made for success this season because the Kent Sweepers sponsored Hammers star is currently making the team's riding suits.

Premier League Isle of Wight have swooped to appoint former Swindon boss Jed Stone as their new team manager. Stone takes over the reins from George Major and co-promoter Dave Pavitt is delighted to have secured his services.

Somerset have been forced to pull the plug on entering a team in the Conference League in 2002. The new Premier League outfit had planned to continue running a Conference League side to develop their own young riders.

New recruit Brian Karger is backing Belle Vue to make a big impact in the 2002 Elite League. The Aces have finished bottom in the last two seasons but Karger believes a new-look team will push for honours this year.

Thousands of speedway fans from all over Britain will be making the pilgrimage to High Beech this coming weekend for the annual dirt-track birthday party sponsored by Vintage Speedway Magazine .

Colin Meredith will again be team manager of reigning Elite League champions Oxford in the 2002 season. Cheetahs promoter Vanessa Purchase has confirmed that Meredith, the former Coventry boss, will continue as both Oxford manager and track curator at Cowley.

Coventry are to lead the way in a new initiative to improve speedway safety. The Elite League club are to become the pioneers for the revolutionary 'No Pain Barrier' air-fence designed and marketed by ex-rider Tony Briggs, son of four-times former World Champion Barry Briggs.

Poland Under 21 champion Jarek Hampel and all-action Adam Skornicki for their British indoor ice debuts at the indoor ice speedway meeting at Telford on 17 February.

Somerset have secured their first two riders on full contracts following the transfers of Malcolm Holloway and Matthew Cross from Swindon. Holloway will captain the Premier League side while Cross, a local lad, will act as one of the club's No. 8s.

Speedway and Greyhound racing in Reading received a major boost today when it was confirmed that Allied Presentations Ltd, the company which holds the lease to Smallmead Stadium, are linking up with Gaming International.

Stoke have completed their team-building plans by snapping up 16-year-old Lee Hodgson on loan from Sheffield. Hodgson, who comes in on a 3.53 average, started last season with the Tigers before an injury forced him out.

Oxford Cheetahs have completed their 2002 side with the signing Brian Andersen. It will be his third season with the club. Andersen first joined the Cheetahs late in 2000 and became an instant favourite amongst the fans.

Glasgow have completed their line-up for 2002 by bringing back Grant MacDonald to the club. The 22-year-old rode for the Tigers in 1997 and 1998 before being released by the Premier League outfit.

Hans Clausen will be a Peterborough rider again in 2002 after a five-year absence. Clausen was a big hit in the early 1990s but hasn't ridden for the club since returning for a short spell at the end of the 1997 season.

As it gears up for a return to the British speedway scene, Wimbledon is eagerly seeking one of its more famous local residents to help entertain the crowds.

Cradley Speedway supporters have been forced into a last-minute change of venue for the Public Meeting planned for this Wednesday evening, 30th January. The meeting will now be at the Regis Hall in Reddall Hill Road, Old Hill.

Neil Street's services to speedway have been recognised in Australia's honours list. The Newport Wasps team manager, 71, will receive the Medal of the order of Australia (OAM) after almost 50-years as a rider and manager.

Brent Werner has signed for Rye House to help spearhead their return to senior racing. The Californian joins in a loan deal from Workington after spending last season with Elite League Eastbourne.