King's Lynn chief Buster Chapman is promising speedway fans the 'ultimate year of racing' after unveiling the club's Elite League fixtures ahead of their long-awaited top flight return.
The Stars will host Belle Vue - who will track British number one Chris Harris this season - on March 30 two days after travelling to the north west for their inaugural meeting back in the Elite since 2003. Lynn have also been handed two live Sky television home dates with Lakeside's visit on April 11 and Birmingham's trip on May 16 both reaching a potential domestic and international audience.
Rob Lyon's side have been drawn against Belle Vue in the KO Cup competition with the first leg away on May 23 followed by a Norfolk Arena return on June 8. Poole's powerful septet, headed by Pirates' Aussie ace Chris Holder, visit Saddlebow for the first time on April 22 and Holder is likely to return five days later when the Norfolk Arena also hosts the prestigious Elite League Pairs. Lynn's venue has again been chosen to stage a round in the World Team Cup later in the summer after the success of last season's event to top off a stellar season for Chapman.
'I don't think I have ever seen a fixture list full of such high profile and exciting events,' he said, with Lynn's Young Stars squad also competing in the National League. 'It is enough to make fans drool and it really does show how far this club has come over the past decade. We knew that last year's World Cup would put us in the spotlight but to have that return for a second year and also be selected to stage the Elite League Pairs' championship is simply sensational.'
Lynn's new look squad, featuring the likes of Danish Grand Prix winner Kenneth Bjerre and former Peterborough team mate Niels Kristian-Iversen, will hold a behind-closed-doors training session before being presented to fans at a special preview night on March 16. (5pm)
Supporters will get their first chance to see Bjerre in action in a two-legged challenge meeting curtain raiser against Birmingham on March 23 with the Perry Barr return 24 hours later.
'It's going to be a massive season and no doubt the whole of Norfolk will be behind us,' said team boss Lyon. 'But it is important for us to put on a good show and do well as we are also going to be watched by a global television audience as well as the 2,000 fans in the stadium this season.'
The club have released season ticket details for the new campaign with prices based on 14 home Elite League meetings with free entry for season ticket holders to all KO Cup home meetings.
Season ticket prices: �210 adults, �168 concessions and �70 for children aged 12 to 15.
For further information on season tickets or sponsorship opportunities contact 01553 771111 or visit klstars.co.uk.
King's Lynn Stars 2011 Elite League fixtures
(Home fixtures in capitals)
March
16 team preview
23 BIRMINGHAM CH
24 Birmingham CH
28 Belle Vue EL
30 BELLE VUE EL
April
6 SWINDON EL
7 Swindon EL
11 LAKESIDE EL (live on Sky)
22 POOLE EL 3pm
27 Elite League Pairs
May
4 EASTBOURNE EL
5 Birmingham EL
7 Eastbourne EL
9 Wolves EL
16 BIRMINGHAM EL (live on Sky)
18 Poole EL
21 Lakeside EL
23 Belle Vue KOC
25 WOVLES EL
June
4 Eastbourne EL
8 BELLE VUE KOC
22 LAKESIDE EL
July
6 Poole EL
20 POOLE EL
27 EASTBOURNE EL
28 Swindon EL
August
1 Belle Vue EL
3 SWINDON EL
6 Lakeside EL
10 WOLVES EL
15 Wolves EL
24 BIRMINGHAM EL
25 Birmingham EL
31 BELLE VUE EL
September
7 reserved
14 reserved
Key
CH: Challenge meeting
EL: Elite League
KOC: Elite League Knock Out Cup
All home meetings 7.45pm unless stated.
Fixtures correct at the time of going to press.
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