Speedway News

Arena-Essex promoter, Ronnie Russell, has taken time out from his busy schedule to talk about his views on how clubs in the Elite League are going about building their teams for the 2005 season.

Newcastle Diamonds' team building took another big step forward, Sunday, when they were able to announce the signing of the hard-riding, always determined and always entertaining Phil Morris as the second 2005 Diamond.

The most successful speedway ice racer of all time is going for more W's in 2005. Six time World Champion in the Speedway Bike Division, Charlie "The Edge" Venegas from San Bernadino, CA, will attempt to win number 7 this winter in the 29th Annual World Championship ICE Racing Series.

An eigth place finish in the Conference League and third spot in the Trophy table might not be everyone's idea of a successful season. But for Wildcats boss Brian White it was as good as winning both titles and the Knockout Cup to boot.

New British Speedway Chairman Pete Toogood has described the sport's AGM as "the best I've ever attended." The Somerset boss has revealed how there was a feeling of unity amongst promoters despite reports of conflict between the top two divisions in the build-up to the talks in London.

The 2000 World Speedway Champion, Mark Loram, will be riding for the Arena-Essex Hammers in 2005. That was the major news to come from the Hammers Supporters Club Presentation Night, which took place on Saturday evening at the Thurrock Hotel.

Rod Smith proved to be the cream of the sport's officials - on a motorcycle - in the charity Ref's Track Day staged at Sittingbourne on Saturday. Smith was only beaten once during the event which saw 12 speedway referees receive training during the day and then get the chance to put into

Captain David Mason has committed his future to the Haven Wildcats. The popular number one has told manager Brian White he wants to return to the Wessex Stadium next season.

It took just 1000 metres of track to decide the 2004 Long Track speedway World Championships in New Plymouth today.

Eastbourne's Adam Shields finished off the 2004 speedway season on Sunday night at Smallmead Stadium, by taking the Euphony Classic individual trophy, and the top prize of ?2000 after beating Reading's Danny Bird in a run-off for first place.

Speedway results for Sunday 31 October. Elite League Knockout Cup Final 2nd leg: Poole 57 - 39 Ipswich Antonio Lindback 13+2 - Hans Andersen 14 Poole win 99-87 on aggregate. Euphony Classic, Reading:

British Speedway will unite in grief following the sad news of Exeter promoter Colin Hill's death. Hill, who has just completed 20 seasons in charge of the Falcons, lost his battle with cancer at 3am on Saturday.

Speedway results for Friday 29 October. Conference League: Oxford 44 - 31 Carmarthen Ricky Scarborough 9+3 - Steve Bishop 11 Declared after heat 12 - result stands Oxford 51 - 44 Buxton Craig Branney 12 - James Wright 21

The curtain comes down on the 2004 Rye House season with the traditional Ace of Herts Championship and grand firework finale this Saturday.

With the 2004 world speedway title now safe in his keeping, Australian wiz Jason Crump is preparing for a challenge of another kind in New Zealand on November 6 - he will race as a wildcard in the final round of the Long Track World Championship.

Commenting on the announcement, John Postlethwaite, Chief Executive, BSI, said:

Simon Stead put behind him the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League Riders' title a month ago to win the Northern Classic back at Sheffield on Sunday. The former Tiger, now with Workington was simplay unstoppable.

Despite rain cutting the his farewell meeting short, a large crowd of people turned out to show their appreciation of the legend that is Todd Wiltshire at Oxford Stadium last night.

Following the announcement earlier this week of the names of the twelve riders who will compete in the Leigh Lanham Testimonial meeting at the Arena-Essex Raceway this Friday, details of the two reserves for the meeting have now been named.

Sheffield legend Sam Ermolenko has been drawn at number one for Sunday's Teng Tools Northern Classic at Owlerton (6pm).

Speedway results for Monday 11 October. Elite League play-off final 2nd leg: Poole 63 - 30 Wolverhampton Bjarne Pedersen 12 - Freddie Lindgren 12 Poole win 112-71 on aggregate and are Elite League Champions Conference League:

Speedway results for Saturday 9 October. Young Shiled quarter finalk 2nd leg: Workington 55 - 41 Kings Lynn Carl Stonehewer 13+1 - Shaun Tacey 13 Workington win 96-93 on aggregate and will meet Hull in semi-finals.

Speedway results for Thursday 30 September. Young Shield: Sheffield 56 - 41 Readng Jason Bunyan 15 - Danny Bird 15 Reading win 99-90 on aggregate Challenge:

Sheffield have a mountain to climb to reach the Young Shield play-off semi-finals after a 58-34 defeat at Reading.