DOZEN FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE
BRITISH Speedway’s National League will come to the tapes with 12 clubs once again in 2017.The sport’s third tier will features newcomers Lakeside and Plymouth after both were accepted at the AGM in Rugby on Tuesday.Rye House have withdrawn to focus on their exciting new SGB Premiership season – and Coventry have joined forces with Belle Vue to share fixtures.Swindon, who are due to move into their new stadium in June, will also enter a team into the National Trophy with riders from sides who aren’t in the mini tournament.The points limit has been set at 39 for clubs to build their line-ups – and several have already revealed signings.Race format and play-off structure remain as they were in 2016 with the top four qualifying for the end of season title shootout.British Speedway Promoters’ Association Vice Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “There’s not a lot of changes in all this and we wish every Natonal League club the very best for 2017.“We welcome Plymouth and Lakeside into the league and it’s great to see the sport continue at both tracks, that is the most important thing.“I’m sure we will see clubs pressing ahead with team plans from now on and we look forward to the new season at all levels in British Speedway.”
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THE draw has been made for the 2017 National League Knockout Cup:Round 1:Coventry-Belle Vue v LakesidePlymouth v Isle of WightEastbourne v KentStoke v BuxtonRound 2:Coventry-Belle Vue/Lakeside v CradleyMildenhall v Stoke/BuxtonPlymouth/Isle of Wight v BirminghamEastbourne/Kent v King’s LynnGroups have also been made for the 2017 National Trophy:Group 1: Eastbourne, Kent, MildenhallGroup 2: Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Swindon
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CRADLEY have announced the signing of Danny Ayres for the 2017 National League season.Ayres, who joins from Kent, is already a favourite with Heathens fans after successful guest appearances in recent years.He said: “When I guested for Cradley against Eastbourne last year, the fans were unbelievable. I’m passionate about my racing and I love to celebrate if I win – they seemed to enjoy it with me and it was great to interact with them like that.“There’s always been some sort of connection between me and the Cradley fans and to race for them as one of their own in 2017 is going to be something special.“I haven’t got a bad word to say about Kent and I’ll admit it will be weird not riding for them next year. Len Silver and everyone at the club have been absolutely fantastic with me and I’ve made a lot of genuine friends down at Central Park.”
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MARK Baseby has been named as Eastbourne’s new No.1 for the 2017 season.Baseby makes the move to Arlington from the Isle of Wight, with the Eagles also confirming the signing of Connor Coles alongside captain Georgie Wood in the heat-leader department.Eastbourne boss Connor Dugard said: “Mark guested for us a couple of times last year and just like Georgie and Colesy he gives 110 per cent every time. “He only rode Arlington twice last year and he showed how good he is round our circuit.“I've built the team very much like last year with three potential No.1s in Mark, Georgie and Colesy.”
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SHELBY Rutherford will return to Buxton next season keen to build on his form from the closing stages of the 2016 campaign.Hitmen boss Jason Pipe believes Rutherford represents a major team-building bargain on a 4.45 average.Pipe said: “I'm really pleased Shelby has chosen to stay with us for another season. I had a chat with Shelby at the last home meeting, told him that we wanted him back at Buxton in 2017 and that he should consider giving us at least another full season. Thankfully he made the right decision.“If he starts off next season like he was at the end of last season, I believe with the right help, backing and financial input, he's well capable of putting at least 1.50 - 2.00 points on his starting average.”
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PLYMOUTH are set to make a rapid start to team building after their entry into the 2017 National League was confirmed on Tuesday.New bosses Mark Phillips and Laurence Rogers are set to name four riders and their No.8 at a fans’ forum on Thursday evening.Phillips said: “The acceptance into the league was the thing we were waiting for and now that has been achieved we can press on with our plans that include some improvements to the Arena and tidying the place up. “We are also launching a massive advertising and sponsorship campaign and have 1000 leaflets produced to hit the local businesses with.”
