THE Swindon Robins' first 2017 track action will be the press and practice day on Thursday, March 23.

The media will meet the team at 3.30pm while the practice will commence around 5.30 and conclude at 6.45pm, at which time supporters can mingle with the team.

Admission is free but spectators will be invited to make a donation to the St John Ambulance who provide a vital matchday service.

Swindon's first competitive action will be at Leicester in the newly-branded Premiership on Saturday, April 1.

The Lions have just completed their team building and at first glance it is not a strong side.

Led by former Poole and Swindon rider Kasper Gomolski and ex-Lakeside Hammer Kim Nilsson, the team includes Latvian Andzejs Lebedevs, returnee Joss Auty and German riders Erik Riss and Kevin Wolbert.

Danny Ayres completes a side that surely Swindon must look to beat.

Leicester were late announcing their side and there was considerable doubt as to whether the Beaumont Park outfit would come to the tapes after heavy losses and management difficulties last season.

At Coventry, the doubts were even greater after some unsavoury disputes between promoters, stadium owners and other parties, the truth of which will probably never fully be revealed. The whole sorry saga brought the sport into disrepute and with Brandon Stadium currently unusable, the Bees will start their home season at Leicester.

In Manchester, the Belle Vue Aces' 2016 losses have not been revealed after the chaotic opening to the new National Speedway Stadium, which really is a superb set-up.

The side, which is under new ownership, has as yet not been revealed but it seems that Craig Cook and Max Fricke along with Steve and Richie Worrall will be the nucleus of a team which is unlikely to include former Robin, the enigmatic Croatian Matej Zagar.

Meanwhile, action on the new Swindon stadium seems less than fast. Although some progress is being made, fans are already expressing concern as to when the facility will actually open.

In Australian track action, 2017 Robin Nick Morris was an unsuccessful semi-finalist in the recent Darcy Ward benefit meeting at North Brisbane.

The 2017 King’s Lynn star Chris Holder won the meeting with Rohan Tungate, mostly-retired Australian great Jason Crump and Max Fricke behind him.