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Post by admin on Nov 19, 2015 22:23:25 GMT
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Post by admin on Jan 5, 2016 23:06:58 GMT
The Latest News from the Lions (Tuesday, January 5th, 2016)
Track Alterations
Modifications to the circuit have begun at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium in readiness for the Lions third season in the Elite League with changes to the bends. The work is being overseen by track curator Glyn Taylor who has measured out and defined the new shape in readiness for the infield to be cut this week before the foundations and new shale is laid. Taylor believes that the alterations will give the riders more manoeuvrability on entering and exiting the turns.
“As a club we wish to respond to the views of the public who support the team week in week out, and this issue has been one of the more contentious matters on the fans minds. Once the work is completed we will hope to see that this issue has been addressed and perhaps as a result an increase in attendances during the forthcoming 2016 season” stated the Lions Promoter David Hemsley.
Leicester’s circuit originally measured 321 metres before alterations to all four bends prior to the start of the 2013 season was carried out which reduced the figure to the current size of 317 metres.
leicesterlions.co/news/
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Post by admin on Jan 5, 2016 23:11:38 GMT
Nicolai Returns (Tuesday, January 5th, 2016) Leicester have moved to bring back one of their former riders with the signing of Nicolai Klindt who last rode for the Lions in their first season in the Elite League. Nicolai was a mid-season signing for the team in 2014 and his arrival signalled an upturn in results at Leicester. During his spell at the club he showed good form to finish the season third in the team’s averages behind Jason Doyle and Simon Stead. A twice winner of the Danish Under-21 Championship, Nicolai has extensive experience of racing at the top level having represented his parent club Wolverhampton along with spells at Swindon, King’s Lynn and Peterborough during his career that began here in 2008. Klindt joins Grzegorz Walasek, Szymon Wozniak, Josh Auty and Paul Starke which leaves just two places to fill in the team.leicesterlions.co/news/ Better be 2 stormers as none of that lot would make be move off the sofa 
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Post by admin on Jan 5, 2016 23:19:28 GMT
Bronze for Leicester Track (Tuesday, December 15th, 2015)It was announced today that Leicester’s track was assessed as the third best in the 2015 Elite League Track of the Year award behind Wolverhampton and Swindon. The marks are awarded by the Speedway Control Bureau referees who officiate at each meeting and the areas for assessment include track preparation and surface, inner edge, infield, safety fence and airbag panels. “We pride ourselves in creating a race track that is safe for the competitors which allows them to perform to their maximum. Our track curator Glyn Taylor creates a surface that is consistent from the start-line to the finish which means there is no real home advantage as it is fair to both teams and the riders are therefore able to race with confidence and close to one another” explained the Lions Promoter David Hemsley. leicesterlions.co/news/ Doesn't mention/include the quality of the racing, hence the need to reshape the track. So a naff award really 
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Jan 6, 2016 12:44:50 GMT
Bronze for Leicester Track (Tuesday, December 15th, 2015)It was announced today that Leicester’s track was assessed as the third best in the 2015 Elite League Track of the Year award behind Wolverhampton and Swindon. The marks are awarded by the Speedway Control Bureau referees who officiate at each meeting and the areas for assessment include track preparation and surface, inner edge, infield, safety fence and airbag panels. “We pride ourselves in creating a race track that is safe for the competitors which allows them to perform to their maximum. Our track curator Glyn Taylor creates a surface that is consistent from the start-line to the finish which means there is no real home advantage as it is fair to both teams and the riders are therefore able to race with confidence and close to one another” explained the Lions Promoter David Hemsley. leicesterlions.co/news/ Doesn't mention/include the quality of the racing, hence the need to reshape the track. So a naff award really Knowing some of the refs I should think the interval sandwiches and cakes played a part, let's be honest the Leicester track is complete rubbish, a bit like some of the referees. |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Jan 6, 2016 12:48:40 GMT
Nicolai Returns (Tuesday, January 5th, 2016) Leicester have moved to bring back one of their former riders with the signing of Nicolai Klindt who last rode for the Lions in their first season in the Elite League. Nicolai was a mid-season signing for the team in 2014 and his arrival signalled an upturn in results at Leicester. During his spell at the club he showed good form to finish the season third in the team’s averages behind Jason Doyle and Simon Stead. A twice winner of the Danish Under-21 Championship, Nicolai has extensive experience of racing at the top level having represented his parent club Wolverhampton along with spells at Swindon, King’s Lynn and Peterborough during his career that began here in 2008. Klindt joins Grzegorz Walasek, Szymon Wozniak, Josh Auty and Paul Starke which leaves just two places to fill in the team.leicesterlions.co/news/ Better be 2 stormers as none of that lot would make be move off the sofa It really is a dreadful looking team, not that the EL is that strong but it's the worst team so far by a country mile. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 16:20:08 GMT
At last they're sorting the track out, pity no one told Hemsley they're no longer in the PL though. What a crap line-up.
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2016 20:19:15 GMT
At last they're sorting the track out, pity no one told Hemsley they're no longer in the PL though. What a crap line-up. Losing at home to Lakeside is about as bad as it gets  Lakesidelive @lakesidelive 2/4/14 What a night! Lakeside Hammers win on the road at Leicester, 33-56. Paid Maximums from AJ & Richard. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 11:09:32 GMT
Difficult to see where Leicester can win a meeting home or away this season. I'd like to feel sorry for them. But I won't.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Apr 5, 2016 14:47:41 GMT
Difficult to see where Leicester can win a meeting home or away this season. I'd like to feel sorry for them. But I won't. I think Leicester are going to have a nightmare season, I cannot remember an EL team putting out a worst side. I rather think Hemsley will be fed up of making up the numbers at the end of this year, Saturday home night is a complete non starter in the EL and to be honest he must be thick not to have realised it by now. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 9:48:36 GMT
Difficult to see where Leicester can win a meeting home or away this season. I'd like to feel sorry for them. But I won't. I think Leicester are going to have a nightmare season, I cannot remember an EL team putting out a worst side. I rather think Hemsley will be fed up of making up the numbers at the end of this year, Saturday home night is a complete non starter in the EL and to be honest he must be thick not to have realised it by now. In financial terms, he's going to do his knackers this season. Oh well. |
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Post by admin on Apr 9, 2016 22:21:21 GMT
I think Leicester are going to have a nightmare season, I cannot remember an EL team putting out a worst side. I rather think Hemsley will be fed up of making up the numbers at the end of this year, Saturday home night is a complete non starter in the EL and to be honest he must be thick not to have realised it by now. In financial terms, he's going to do his knackers this season. Oh well. He'll not go broke by paying out points money that's for sure but they'd still turn Sheffield over by 20 points again even though a 6 man Belle Vue side proved too much. Losing at home to Lakeside and Belle Vue in your first two matches (8 home race winners in 30 heats). It doesn't get much worse than that Leicester Lions = 411. Patrick Hougaard 3, 1*, 3, 2, 2 = 11+1 2. Nicolai Klindt 0, 2, 0 = 2 3. Grzegorz Walasek 0, 0, R = 0 4. Szymon Wozniak 2, 1, 6^, 1 = 10 5. Seb Ulamek 1, 2, 1, 1*, 0 = 5+1 6. Josh Auty 2, 1*, 2, 0, 2* = 7+2 7. Paul Starke 1*, 0, 2*, 3, 0 = 6+2 Belle Vue Aces = 521. Chris Harris (G) 1*, 2*, 2*, 3, 1 = 9+3 2. Max Fricke 2, 3, 1, 3 = 9 3. Scott Nicholls 2*, 3, 1*, 3, 3 = 12+2 4. Richie Worrall 3, 0, 3, 2* = 8+1 5. Craig Cook 3, 3, 2, 0 = 8 6. Joe Jacobs 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0 7. Steve Worrall 3, 1, 1, 1 = 6 Read more: speedwayupdates/leicester-belle-vue-el |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Apr 10, 2016 8:09:18 GMT
In financial terms, he's going to do his knackers this season. Oh well. He'll not go broke by paying out points money that's for sure but they'd still turn Sheffield over by 20 points again even though a 6 man Belle Vue side proved too much. Losing at home to Lakeside and Belle Vue in your first two matches (8 home race winners in 30 heats). It doesn't get much worse than that Leicester Lions = 411. Patrick Hougaard 3, 1*, 3, 2, 2 = 11+1 2. Nicolai Klindt 0, 2, 0 = 2 3. Grzegorz Walasek 0, 0, R = 0 4. Szymon Wozniak 2, 1, 6^, 1 = 10 5. Seb Ulamek 1, 2, 1, 1*, 0 = 5+1 6. Josh Auty 2, 1*, 2, 0, 2* = 7+2 7. Paul Starke 1*, 0, 2*, 3, 0 = 6+2 Belle Vue Aces = 521. Chris Harris (G) 1*, 2*, 2*, 3, 1 = 9+3 2. Max Fricke 2, 3, 1, 3 = 9 3. Scott Nicholls 2*, 3, 1*, 3, 3 = 12+2 4. Richie Worrall 3, 0, 3, 2* = 8+1 5. Craig Cook 3, 3, 2, 0 = 8 6. Joe Jacobs 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0 7. Steve Worrall 3, 1, 1, 1 = 6 Read more: speedwayupdates/leicester-belle-vue-el It's not just points money though is it, his support will just get fed up with watching dross and not bother to go. His attendance was always good but their is a limit to people's patience. |
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Post by admin on May 9, 2016 20:06:20 GMT
I think Leicester are going to have a nightmare season, I cannot remember an EL team putting out a worst side. I rather think Hemsley will be fed up of making up the numbers at the end of this year, Saturday home night is a complete non starter in the EL and to be honest he must be thick not to have realised it by now. In financial terms, he's going to do his knackers this season. Oh well. You knew that it would end in tears  David Hemsley Stands Down Leicester Speedway has been rocked with the news that David Hemsley has resigned his position as senior promoter of the Lions. “I have decided to resign as the Promoter of Leicester and the British Speedway Promoters’ Association have been notified accordingly of my intention to stand down. There have been many issues associated with the decision which has not been taken lightly. It was a personal ambition of mine to bring speedway back to Leicester and with the help of many people we achieved what no-one else could. Whilst speedway still remains a passion I am letting go of the reins to give others the opportunity to take the club forward and build upon the foundations that have been set since we opened in 2011” explained David Hemsley. The decision has come following a run of issues over a number of years that has made the Lions Promoter feel his position is untenable, particularly as he is one of a new breed of speedway promoters who would wish to see change in both the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and the Speedway Control Bureau by bringing speedway more in-line with other sports governing bodies who he deals with through his company on a day to day basis. “No doubt at some point I will have the opportunity to present my case but in the meantime I am not going into the detail. My role as Managing Director and owner of Leicester Speedway does not change but what it does mean is that it alters my position as the senior promoter of Leicester Speedway. “My decision to stand down as the senior promoter will leave a vacant position to fill. That said I have offered up to the BSPA a proposal that my wife Yulia takes over this position until the end of the season which if accepted will keep the family connection in the business. With the vast promotional experience of Neil Machin to call upon and supported by David Darcy the club will continue to operate effectively as ever before and it will be business as usual.” Speedway returned to Leicester after an absence of twenty-eight years in 2011 at Beaumont Park and under Hemsley’s leadership the Lions entered the Premier League, spending three seasons in the middle tier of British Speedway during which time the team reached the play-offs once and were twice runners-up in the Premier League Fours’ Final. In 2014 the club gained membership to the Elite League and whilst they finished bottom of the table that first year an improvement in their away form last season resulted in a sixth place finish. Posted: 09 May 2016 leicesterlions/david-hemsley-stands-down |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on May 9, 2016 20:41:44 GMT
In financial terms, he's going to do his knackers this season. Oh well. You knew that it would end in tears David Hemsley Stands Down Leicester Speedway has been rocked with the news that David Hemsley has resigned his position as senior promoter of the Lions. “I have decided to resign as the Promoter of Leicester and the British Speedway Promoters’ Association have been notified accordingly of my intention to stand down. There have been many issues associated with the decision which has not been taken lightly. It was a personal ambition of mine to bring speedway back to Leicester and with the help of many people we achieved what no-one else could. Whilst speedway still remains a passion I am letting go of the reins to give others the opportunity to take the club forward and build upon the foundations that have been set since we opened in 2011” explained David Hemsley. The decision has come following a run of issues over a number of years that has made the Lions Promoter feel his position is untenable, particularly as he is one of a new breed of speedway promoters who would wish to see change in both the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and the Speedway Control Bureau by bringing speedway more in-line with other sports governing bodies who he deals with through his company on a day to day basis. “No doubt at some point I will have the opportunity to present my case but in the meantime I am not going into the detail. My role as Managing Director and owner of Leicester Speedway does not change but what it does mean is that it alters my position as the senior promoter of Leicester Speedway. “My decision to stand down as the senior promoter will leave a vacant position to fill. That said I have offered up to the BSPA a proposal that my wife Yulia takes over this position until the end of the season which if accepted will keep the family connection in the business. With the vast promotional experience of Neil Machin to call upon and supported by David Darcy the club will continue to operate effectively as ever before and it will be business as usual.” Speedway returned to Leicester after an absence of twenty-eight years in 2011 at Beaumont Park and under Hemsley’s leadership the Lions entered the Premier League, spending three seasons in the middle tier of British Speedway during which time the team reached the play-offs once and were twice runners-up in the Premier League Fours’ Final. In 2014 the club gained membership to the Elite League and whilst they finished bottom of the table that first year an improvement in their away form last season resulted in a sixth place finish. Posted: 09 May 2016 leicesterlions/david-hemsley-stands-down Sounds like reality has actually kicked in, it will be interesting to see where Leicester go from here. |
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Post by admin on May 28, 2016 23:30:20 GMT
You knew that it would end in tears David Hemsley Stands Down Leicester Speedway has been rocked with the news that David Hemsley has resigned his position as senior promoter of the Lions. “I have decided to resign as the Promoter of Leicester and the British Speedway Promoters’ Association have been notified accordingly of my intention to stand down. There have been many issues associated with the decision which has not been taken lightly. It was a personal ambition of mine to bring speedway back to Leicester and with the help of many people we achieved what no-one else could. Whilst speedway still remains a passion I am letting go of the reins to give others the opportunity to take the club forward and build upon the foundations that have been set since we opened in 2011” explained David Hemsley. The decision has come following a run of issues over a number of years that has made the Lions Promoter feel his position is untenable, particularly as he is one of a new breed of speedway promoters who would wish to see change in both the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and the Speedway Control Bureau by bringing speedway more in-line with other sports governing bodies who he deals with through his company on a day to day basis. “No doubt at some point I will have the opportunity to present my case but in the meantime I am not going into the detail. My role as Managing Director and owner of Leicester Speedway does not change but what it does mean is that it alters my position as the senior promoter of Leicester Speedway. “My decision to stand down as the senior promoter will leave a vacant position to fill. That said I have offered up to the BSPA a proposal that my wife Yulia takes over this position until the end of the season which if accepted will keep the family connection in the business. With the vast promotional experience of Neil Machin to call upon and supported by David Darcy the club will continue to operate effectively as ever before and it will be business as usual.” Speedway returned to Leicester after an absence of twenty-eight years in 2011 at Beaumont Park and under Hemsley’s leadership the Lions entered the Premier League, spending three seasons in the middle tier of British Speedway during which time the team reached the play-offs once and were twice runners-up in the Premier League Fours’ Final. In 2014 the club gained membership to the Elite League and whilst they finished bottom of the table that first year an improvement in their away form last season resulted in a sixth place finish. Posted: 09 May 2016 leicesterlions/david-hemsley-stands-down Sounds like reality has actually kicked in, it will be interesting to see where Leicester go from here. The only way is up when you're rock bottom of the table with only the team you lost to having ridden more meetings as they sit at the top, as per usual early doors! You'd say could it get any worse? Well looking at the league and losing at home to the best home side in speedway, no I don't think that it gets any worse than that: Leicester vs Lakeside ( EL ) 28/05/16Leicester Lions = 441. Patrick Hougaard - 2,1*,3,1*,2 = 9+2 2. Josh Auty - 0,1,1,2*,2* = 6+2 3. Aaron Summers - 1,0,3,1,0 = 5 4. Szymon Wozniak R/R - (NK-3,JA-1,AS-3,NK-3 = 10) 5. Davey Watt - 0,2,0,2,0 = 4 6. Nicolai Klindt - 3,3,3,2*,3,3,3 = 20+1 PAID MAXIMUM 7. Chris Widman (Guest) - 0,0,(NK-2*),0 = 0 - who  Lakeside Hammers = 461. Andreas Jonsson - 3,2*,3,0,1 = 9+1 2. Edward Kennett - 1,2,0,2* = 5+1 3. Richard Lawson - 3,3,1,2 = 9 4. Lewis Bridger - 2,0,1,1* = 4+1 5. Craig Cook (Guest) - 2*,3,0,3,3 = 11+1 making up for lost earnings  6. Robert Mear - 2,0,(LK-1),0,2 = 4 7. Lewis Kerr - 1*,1*,1,(RM-0),1* = 4+3 Read more: speedwayupdates/leicester-lakeside-el |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on May 29, 2016 8:49:18 GMT
Sounds like reality has actually kicked in, it will be interesting to see where Leicester go from here. The only way is up when you're rock bottom of the table with only the team you lost to having ridden more meetings as they sit at the top, as per usual early doors! You'd say could it get any worse? Well looking at the league and losing at home to the best home side in speedway, no I don't think that it gets any worse than that: If Hemsley insists on running Saturday's I don't see how he cannot be anything else but PL next year. No club can keep losing 3-4K a week but with a crap track and a crap team who can blame the supporters. |
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Post by admin on Jun 19, 2016 15:08:14 GMT
If Hemsley insists on running Saturday's I don't see how he cannot be anything else but PL next year. No club can keep losing 3-4K a week but with a crap track and a crap team who can blame the supporters. It's certainly not getting any better. They say that calling the league Elite is a misnomer, well that Leicester team certainly is, guests or other bad luck included. Leicester Vs Belle Vue (EL) 18/6/2016Leicester Lions = 431. Patrick Hougaard - 3,2,3,1,3 = 12 2. Aaron Summers - 1,1*,3,1 = 6+1 3. Nicolai Klindt - EX(LL-1),0,1,2 = 3 4. Paul Starke - FX,1,0,(JA-1*) = 1 5. Jason Garrity (Guest) - FX,1*,R = 1+1 WITHDRAWN (LL=FX = 0) 6. Ludvig Lindgren - 2*,1,2,1,2*,FX = 8+2 7. Josh Auty - 3,2,3,3,1*,F = 12+1 Belle Vue Aces = 471. Chris Harris (Guest) - 2,2*,2*,3 = 9+2 2. Max Fricke R/R - (RW-0,JJ-0,SN-2,RW-3 = 5) 3. Steve Worrall - 2*,0,0,0 = 2+1 4. Scott Nicholls - 3,3,2,2,3,1* = 14+1 5. Craig Cook - 3,3,2,2*,2 = 12+16. Richie Worrall - 0,1,3,1*,3,1 = 9+1 7. Joe Jacobs - R,1,0,0,0 = 1 Read more: speedwayupdates/leicester-belle-vue-el-2016 |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Jun 19, 2016 17:25:01 GMT
If Hemsley insists on running Saturday's I don't see how he cannot be anything else but PL next year. No club can keep losing 3-4K a week but with a crap track and a crap team who can blame the supporters. It's certainly not getting any better. They say that calling the league Elite is a misnomer, well that Leicester team certainly is, guests or other bad luck included. Leicester Vs Belle Vue (EL) 18/6/2016Leicester Lions = 431. Patrick Hougaard - 3,2,3,1,3 = 12 2. Aaron Summers - 1,1*,3,1 = 6+1 3. Nicolai Klindt - EX(LL-1),0,1,2 = 3 4. Paul Starke - FX,1,0,(JA-1*) = 1 5. Jason Garrity (Guest) - FX,1*,R = 1+1 WITHDRAWN (LL=FX = 0) 6. Ludvig Lindgren - 2*,1,2,1,2*,FX = 8+2 7. Josh Auty - 3,2,3,3,1*,F = 12+1 Belle Vue Aces = 471. Chris Harris (Guest) - 2,2*,2*,3 = 9+2 2. Max Fricke R/R - (RW-0,JJ-0,SN-2,RW-3 = 5) 3. Steve Worrall - 2*,0,0,0 = 2+1 4. Scott Nicholls - 3,3,2,2,3,1* = 14+1 5. Craig Cook - 3,3,2,2*,2 = 12+16. Richie Worrall - 0,1,3,1*,3,1 = 9+1 7. Joe Jacobs - R,1,0,0,0 = 1 Read more: speedwayupdates/leicester-belle-vue-el-2016 I don't think luck plays that big a part in Leicester losing at home, thry are just an awful team full stop. It's going to be a long season for Hemsley, if his appeal doesn't work this year will cost him a fortune. |
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Post by admin on Dec 29, 2016 15:32:16 GMT
Leicester Lions’ SGB Premiership future has been secured after BSPA bosses agreed a 15-year lease on their Beaumont Park stadium.
The team ran into financial difficulties last season, while club owner David Hemsley saw his promoters licence suspended following an altercation with referee Mick Bates.
But a statement released on the club’s official website on Thursday afternoon confirmed Lions will come to the tapes next year.
"Further meetings are now necessary to establish the management structure of the club, a race night for the 2017 season and other arrangements."
- BSPA statement
It read: “The British Speedway Promoters’ Association are delighted to confirm the future of SGB Premiership club Leicester has been secured.
“BSPA chairman Keith Chapman has been heavily involved in bringing negotiations to a successful conclusion. We are also pleased to reveal a 15-year lease has been signed for the purpose-built Beaumont Park venue.
“Further meetings are now necessary to establish the management structure of the club, a race night for the 2017 season and other arrangements.
“We expect to announce full details on the club early in January.”
sgp 22/12/16
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2017 10:19:13 GMT
LEICESTER have pulled off the biggest signing in the club’s history by snapping up Slovakian sensation Martin Vaculik.
It’s a move which will make the rest of the Premiership sit up and take notice as ambitious club bosses look to mount a serious title assault in 2018.
And Lions co-promoter Neil Machin said: “This is a remarkable coup for everyone at Leicester Speedway.
“We need to place on record our thanks to former rider Simon Stead, he has worked closely with Martin all year, and helping to set this deal up.
“It’s just the type of signing to get the Leicester fans excited about and I’m sure it also gets the rest of the sport talking.”
Vaculik admits a move to Beaumont Park is just what his career needs at this stage.
He won the opening round of the 2017 FIM Speedway Grand Prix series in Slovenia with 16-points but finished ninth in the series and was handed a wildcard for next year.
Now he’s ready to take his career to the next level by racing in the UK.
“I’m pleased to be coming to Leicester,” he said. “British Speedway is the logical step for me to take now, it’s going to further my education as a rider.
“It’s going to give me new challenges with the different type of tracks out there and I’m looking forward to coming to British Speedway.
“I’m happy with how my 2017 season went but I am changing certain aspects and it’s all with the aim of making me a better rider.
“I want to thank everyone for their help and support in 2017 and now I am starting to look towards next year to take another step closer to my dream.”
It’s the latest piece of great news for the club after announcing a renewed two-year sponsorship agreement with Watling JCB at the final home meeting of the season.
Club bosses will attend the sport’s AGM in Tenerife later this month before making any further team plans.
BSPA 3/11/17
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Post by admin on Nov 13, 2017 22:52:07 GMT
LEICESTER have confirmed they are planning for a switch of race-night next season.
The Lions have already signed Grand Prix star Martin Vaculik as their new No.1, and with fixed race-nights on the agenda for the SGB Premiership at this weekend’s BSPA AGM, they are set to move away from Saturdays in 2018.
Co-promoter Neil Machin said: “It will be interesting to see what is finalised this weekend but here at Leicester we are prepared for every eventuality.
“If we have a fixture list which maximises the prospect of two fully competitive teams then that has to be a positive.
“Saturday night has been the norm in recent seasons but we have to admit there is every chance now we will be racing in the week – hopefully that will give us more consistency and we can work on special promotions during the school holidays to encourage a younger audience.”
BSPA 13/11/17
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Post by admin on Jul 6, 2021 7:43:03 GMT
Tuesday July 06, 2021 (Leicester website) Hans Andersen is on his way back to Leicester. The Lions have elected to make a double change following the recent decision of Ty Proctor to quit, and Andersen – who rode for the club in the top-flight in 2018 – will come in at No.1 for his full-time debut in the Championship. In order to accommodate the Danish star’s 9.00 average, the Lions have also released Josh Bates and he will be replaced by a second new signing, details of which are currently being finalised. Promoter and team manager Stewart Dickson has confirmed the decision to make a double change was driven by concerns over the fitness of Bates, who was due to make his comeback from a shoulder injury at Wolverhampton on Monday but was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19. Andersen will make his second home debut for the club in Saturday’s Championship clash withScunthorpe. Dickson said: “The thing I liked was that sometimes when you contact a rider, you get a lukewarm feeling. When I dealt with Hans, he was up for it straightaway. “He’s ridden with Nick Morris before at Swindon, he’s been about the scene for a while and I’m sure he’ll slot into our team perfectly. “I did feel our top-end was pretty much strong enough with what we had, but when a rider like Hans becomes available you really have to act. “He’ll be a guaranteed scorer at this level, I think that goes without saying. “I know it means I’ll possibly have four riders competing for Heat 15 whereas previously I had three, and sometimes you like to spread that out, but I don’t think we’re losing too much balance with the changes we’re making. “We decided to go down the route of a double change because we knew Josh was struggling with his shoulder, and we did expect him to be out longer and would be needing more treatment, so that’s when I got the go-ahead and started talking to Hans. “I want to thank Matt Ford at his parent club Poole ( Frost/Mahoney  ) for permission to speak to him, and also a massive thanks to our owners because I went to them almost cap in hand again, and once again they’ve backed me, and they’ve backed the club. “The Bates family have repeatedly shown they’ve got Leicester Speedway at heart, and they’ve done it once again for me, for us, for the club and the supporters.” Tickets for Saturday’s meeting are on sale from leicesterlions.seatedly.com/ with Scunthorpe also having strengthened since their previous visit with the signing of GB star Adam Ellis. |
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Post by admin on Oct 4, 2022 22:33:18 GMT
leicesterspeedway/news/04 Oct 22
LEICESTER Lions are set to return to the top-flight of British Speedway next season.
The Lions will re-join the Premiership, a level they last raced at in 2018, after a successful period of Championship racing in which the club has moved forward both on an off-track with increased attendances and commercial activity.
And they are pleased to announce immediately that co-promoter and team manager Stewart Dickson will remain at the helm as they make the step up.
Home Premiership meetings will primarily be held on Thursday evenings, with occasional Mondays as the Lions will feature in live television coverage on Eurosport.
But there will still be weekend racing at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena as the club remain committed to the Lion Cubs in the National Development League, and these matches will take place on Saturdays – normally in the weeks where there has been no Thursday meeting in the Premiership.
Club co-owner Damien Bates has cited several factors leading to the decision, and is adamant that the Lions are far better placed to succeed at the top level than they were when his family purchased the club in 2017.
He said: “We’ve given this matter a great deal of thought throughout the year, and having stabilised and grown the club over the past few seasons, we do feel this is the appropriate time.
“With the way the leagues have evolved in recent years, we feel that at the moment the Premiership is better suited to our own business model, and we’re confident the club can thrive at that level.
“In addition, the travel costs of racing in the Championship have escalated and we incur significant costs with matches against the likes of Glasgow, Berwick, Edinburgh, Poole and Plymouth – and it’s also expensive for our supporters.
“It also feels like there are now even more counter-attractions on Saturday evenings with the Grand Prix, and then in the football season the 5.30pm game is often a prominent one, plus there’s further competition on occasions with the rugby.
“The club is now far more equipped to compete at Premiership level and on behalf of my family as owners I can assure everyone that Stewart will be given the resources to carry on the great work he has done over the last three seasons.”
Dickson will take full-time charge of a Premiership team for the first time, having led the Lions to the Championship play-offs in each of his three seasons in charge.
They won the Grand Final against Glasgow in 2019 and have reached the title decider again this year where they will face reigning champions Poole.
He said: “I understand supporters might be a bit sceptical about returning to the Premiership given how tough it was for them the last time the Lions raced at that level.
“But I do very much concur with the views of the owners, and I think the supporters will know me well enough by now to understand that I don’t ever plan to go into a season looking to make the numbers up.
“I will be working to build a Premiership team which is fully able to compete at that level, and I’m confident we will be able to do so.
“I do think there are advantages for the supporters with this, especially the increase in local derbies with the likes of Wolverhampton, Peterborough and Sheffield, and we’ll also look forward to welcoming their fans to Leicester.
“The National Development League is important to us as well, and we will have those meetings running on Saturdays which wasn’t the case the last time the Lions were in the Premiership.
“I’m excited to get going, and it’s going to be an interesting winter – but I also want to stress that we have a big job to do over the next few weeks in October before we leave the Championship.
“We will be fully focused on trying to win the Grand Final and also the CJL Final when it takes place, plus we also have the Lion Cubs going for honours, and this news doesn’t lessen our determination in any of that.”
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Frost/Mahoney 
) for permission to speak to him, and also a massive thanks to our owners because I went to them almost cap in hand again, and once again they’ve backed me, and they’ve backed the club.