An Evening With The Champions Of Speed
By Neil Burrows

The Long Eaton Speedway Reunion Group are proud to present An Evening With The Champions Of Speed with former speedway rider Jan Staechmann, and the promotional teams from Long Eaton and Leicester Speedway in attendance. It is being held on 10th February 2012 at the Soldiers and Sailors, Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 3JS (50 yards from Long Eaton train station) at 7.30pm.

Danish international Jan Staechmann signed for Long Eaton on the eve of the 1991 Division Two League Season and became an instant success as he established himself as Long Eaton's and the Division's number one rider as he went on to win the 1991 Division Two Riders Championship. Jan stayed with Long Eaton for four seasons where he played a pivotal part in establishing them as a leading club in British Speedway and in 1994, his last season with Long Eaton, he reached arguably the pinnacle of his riding career as he rode in the Individual World Speedway Championship Final scoring 7 points. After retiring from racing he turned to management, in 2006 and 2008 he led Denmark to win the World Cup and last year he was the team manager at Swindon. Jan is now part of the Sky Sports Speedway commentary team covering Grand Prix and League racing.

Long Eaton and Leicester returned to track action in 2011 after both had closed their doors to Speedway in 1997 and 1983 respectively. Leicester entered the Premier League whilst Long Eaton entered the newly formed Midland Development League and in an agreement between the two promotions Long Eaton raced their 'home' fixtures at Leicester's newly and superbly purpose built Speedway Stadium at Beaumont Park. Testament to both promotions hard work they were rewarded with success in 2011, for Leicester not only did they sustain high crowd levels but they also staged a Speedway GB Event, The Premier League Fours Final and Long Eaton went on to win the Midland Development League.

Jan will be reflecting on his career and the promotional teams from Long Eaton and Leicester on their return to track action, while all will be talking about their plans for the future. There will be the opportunity for fans to ask them questions.

The Host will be Leicester's Co-promoter Alan Jones and everyone is welcome to come along to a not to be missed evening.

Entrance fee (which includes free raffle) is Adults: £3 Children: Free

Also available to buy on the night, priced at £5 each, will be limited copies of Ian Gill's book Trackin' Down. The books contain interviews by Ian with ex-Long Eaton and Nottingham riders covering their careers from the Golden Era of Speedway.

All proceeds will go to speedway related charities.

For further information on this or future events please contact Peter Wrathall Tel: 01332872187, Mob: 07970419170, Email: wrathall39@tiscali.co.uk or visit www.longeatoninvaders.co.uk