Speedway News

Edinburgh will welcome back one of their most popular former riders for the 2002 season when Danish star Frede Schott returns to the club after an absence of a decade.

Reading have beaten a host of Premier League clubs to sign Czechoslovakian International Tomas Topinka as their new number one for next season. Topinka was wanted by fellow Premier League clubs Edinburgh, Trelawny and Newport, but chose to join the Racers for the 2002 season.

Great Britain international Paul Hurry looks set to remain with Wolverhampton speedway next season, despite receiving offers from rival teams.

Sam Tesar will be back in Peterborough colours again next season where one of his team mates could be Simon Stead. The veteran Czech rode just one meeting for Panthers last season and then missed the remainder of the season after injuring his achilles tendon during a training run

Wimbledon Speedway have made their second signing for the forthcoming 2002 season with the capture of Simon Moon, on loan from parent club Reading. 21 year old Moon has spent the last three seasons riding for Rye House and is delighted to be joining the illustrious Wimbledon Dons.

Peterborough Panthers are waiting to hear from former world champion Sam Ermolenko this week, as the former world champion decides whether or not to sign on for 2002.

Twenty-one year old Dutchman Theo Pijper is Edinburgh's fourth signing towards their 2002 septet. Pijper showed up well in this year's world Under-21 championship and went close to winning the Dutch Golden Helmet

Wimbledon Speedway have announced the immediate appointment of Mick Hooker as its new commercial manager.

Wimbledon co-promoters David Croucher and Steve Ribbons looked up at the grey clouds looming threateningly over the famous Plough Lane Stadium at Wimbledon, and declared "There's nothing but Blue Skies ahead".

News in fom the British Speedway Promoters' Association (BSPA) annual general meeting (AGM) includes the addition of a new Elite League track and up to two grand prix riders per team.

Peterborough have sung the praises of former world champion Mark Loram for his efforts in 2001, but accept it is highly unlikely he will return to the club next season.

Peterborough skipper and world No.4 Ryan Sullivan will remain with the club for another season after signing a 2002 contract before returning home to Australia for the winter.

With the 2001 season now at a close, the management of Wimbledon Speedway can now concentrate on the task of building a competitive side for the return of the Dons next May.

As speculated on Crash.net yesterday, Craig Watson has agreed terms to rejoin Newport in 2002. The young Australian has spent a couple of years with Poole but now feels the time is right to return to Premier League racing.

Edinburgh made their first three signings for next season's team during their annual Dinner Dance on Saturday night. Peter Carr, Christian Henry and Rory Schlein have all booked their places in the team, and in the case of Carr he has signed up for 2003 as well!

The 2001 King's Lynn Knights take to the track for the last time tomorrow [Wednesday] when they face local rivals Ipswich in the Sky Sports Elite League finale.

Following a successful board meeting, Wimbledon speedway's new management team boasts new new additions.

Benfield Sports International and the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Permanent Bureau today announce the six riders invited to take their place as full qualified riders for the the FIM 2002 Speedway Grand Prix Series. The full riding line-up and venues have also been confirmed.

Peterborough's East of England Showground has been awarded the final of the 2002 World Team Cup subject to final negotiations with stadium owners.

Latest speedway results and standings plus fixtures for the remainder of the month. Results 15 - 21 October 15 October Wolverhampton 54 Belle Vue 36 Sheffield 47 Peterborough 42

Popular American Ronnie Correy says goodbye to British speedway with the staging of his 'farewell' meeting at Wolverhampton this Sunday (21st) at 4.00pm. He spent over ten years in British speedway with Wolverhampton, but was forced in to retirement through injury at the end of last season.

King's Lynn's Danish starlet Nicki Pedersen produced another brilliant performance in Saturday afternoon's Grand Prix Challenge meeting held in Krsko, Slovenia.

Ex world speedway champion Greg Hancock put his indifferent grand prix form behind him to emerge victorious from today's Challenge meeting in Krsko, Slovenia and earn a starting place in next year's series.

Twenty four of the world's leading speedway riders line up in Krsko, Solvenia on Saturday afternoon. Sixteen qualifiers join the bottom eight scorers from this years' Grand Prix series to race for just six places in the 2002 series. Will it be cut-throat on Saturday - you bet.