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LEICESTER have announced David Darcy will take over the running of the club as they prepare for the 2017 SGB Premiership season.Darcy has been a co-promoter of the Lions for the last four seasons and now takes over the running of the business after former owner David Hemsley relinquished control.Darcy said: “I’m pleased that I am still involved and am looking forward to the challenge of bringing success to Leicester. “I am conscious that it has been many weeks of worry and uncertainty for our fans concerning the future of the Lions and I would like to place on record my gratitude to Keith Chapman who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to save the club, and he is pleased to continue giving his advice and support.“We will soon be announcing who will be representing Leicester next season as we are now opening contract discussions with riders who we believe will help us turn the club around. If we are able to secure their signatures then I am sure that we will have a competitive team that will do justice to Leicester Speedway.”

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BUXTON have named Lee Geary as the fourth confirmed member of their team for the forthcoming National League campaign.Geary will be back for his second season with the Hitmen and is looking to build on some encouraging results from the latter stages of 2016.Buxton chief Jayne Moss said: “We are really pleased to have Lee back with us for another season. It took about five minutes for him to agree to come back to Hi-Edge and I'm sure there will be a warm welcome for him from the supporters. “He has a year under his belt now at National League level and has been to most of the tracks. Hopefully he can pick up from where he left off at the end of last season when he was starting to score some points. “He has the equipment and the experience and had started to gain some confidence last year which he needs to build on.”

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KENT’S riders have received a pre-season boost with the news of a sponsorship deal covering every individual member of the team.Locally-based CTA Fire Detection were club sponsors during their first two seasons and are now offering backing to all of their riders during the National League campaign.CEO Gill Best said: “The planning application decision last year making speedway permanent at Central Park was an important milestone for the sport in the county; and CTA Fire Detection, as a local company, want to continue to play our part in supporting the Kent Kings club. “Having supported the Kings since the beginning we understand the financial pressure the riders and their families face. CTA Fire Detection hope that our input goes some way towards helping the riders and ensuring success on the track.”