CHAIRMAN – EMOTIONAL NIGHT AHEAD

BRITISH Speedway chairman Rob Godfrey says supporters at stadiums and television viewers are set to enjoy an exciting season.

Godfrey was speaking during the official launch of the sport’s new broadcast partnership with Eurosport, with a media day held at the National Speedway Stadium with riders and managers from all six top-flight clubs present.

Belle Vue and King’s Lynn both open with home meetings in the Premiership on Monday, with Wolverhampton hosting their ‘ThankYou NHS’ individual meeting – and Championship action quickly follows on Tuesday at Kent and Plymouth as speedway returns as a spectator sport following the pandemic.

Godfrey said: “Credit to all six Premiership promoters who have put together competitive teams, and if anyone can say who’s going to win it then they’re kidding themselves.

“Yes, we had some issues over the winter, but I do believe it’s the right course of action to take, to look at the youngstes that are getting into the sport, because there’s abundance of them – and to give them opportunities, which the Rising Star programme does. We will see new stars emerging.

“On Monday night I’ll be watching Eurosport, I’ll be watching Belle Vue v Sheffield and there will be tears, because we’ve actually got back our sport.

“It was virtually taken away from us for a year, but we’ve got it back now. We’re at such a close point of racing again, it will certainly drive my emotions.”