SWINDON ROBINS’ speedway fans get the chance to see four of the new-look team for 2015 when the Bob Kilby Memorial meeting takes place at the Abbey Stadium tonight (Thursday).

Having put his visa problems behind him, Robins captain Troy Batchelor lines up with fellow Aussie Nick Morris, along with two of the Robins’ English contingent, Charles Wright and Lewis Rose.

It is difficult to look beyond Batchelor as the meeting winner although others who could challenge include Freddie Lindgren and Scott Nicholls. Another to keep an eye on is young Aussie Max Fricke The meeting honours Kilby, a great locally-born star, who rode the majority of his 20-year career for the Robins. It completes a huge week for Swindon speedway.

The club announced not only that M&S Van and Truck Rental will be the main team sponsors for the 2015 campaign, but plans for the new stadium, due to open in 2016, were also unveiled.

The new track, again owned by Gaming International, will be located adjacent to the current venue on the site of the Blunsdon market. Work on the stadium will commence within the next 10 weeks to allow the Robins to start the 2016 season in their new home.

Rossiter said: “The new stadium is great news for everyone connected with the club.

“There is a tinge of sadness for someone like myself who has been around the old track for such a long time, but we have to move with the times.

“It’s going to be a new era for the club, it’s going to be great for us to promote the club, get more sponsors on board and offer excellent hospitality packages. Having a new, state-of-the-art stadium is only going to improve things for the club. We’ll be able to host bigger meetings and it’s extremely exciting.”

All seven contracted riders teamed up for the first time this year when recording some fast laps in unusually bright weather at Tuesday’s Press and Practise Day.

The previous weekend Batchelor made an honourable attempt to defend his Elite League Riders Championship at Leicester following three days of extensive practise in Poland.

Batchelor took fourth place in the event won by Robins asset Jason Doyle.

Adrian Miedziński’s testimonial was held in Torun, Poland at the weekend and he scored eight points in a meeting surprisingly won by former Robin Seb Ulamek.

Miedziński also scored eight points for his side in a defeat at Grudziadz. Fellow Pole and new Robins team-mate Grzegorz Zengota claimed 10 points for Leszno at Rybnik as Batchelor rode four second places in his side’s victory by 46-38.

AN additional highlight at the Bob Kilby meeting will be the 12- and 13-year-old riders from the British Youth series racing for the Malcolm Holloway Memorial Trophy.

These youngsters made a big impression on the fans at Blunsdon during their last visit.