SPEEDWAY: SKY SPORTS will show exclusive live coverage of the speedway’s Elite League, the highest level of competition in the UK, for the next five years thanks to a new deal.

And the Sky deal has been warmly welcomed by Lakesiode Hammers co-promoter John Cook.

He said; “It’s fantastic news and we at the Vortex Hammers can’t wait to welcome the cameras back to The Raceway this summer”

The new agreement made with the British Speedway Promoters Association means Sky Sports viewers will be able to watch live coverage of speedway’s Elite League through the summer months, and every season until 2019.

The agreement made with the BSPA comprises of a minimum 25 meetings a year through the summer from March to October featuring the 10 teams from the League starting with the Elite Riders Championship at Coventry on Friday March 21 featuring Great Britain’s very own 2013 World Speedway Champion from Wolverhampton Tai Woffinden competing against some of the top riders in World Speedway. The deal also includes exclusively live coverage of the Premier League plus other selected individual events.

Speaking about the deal Alex Harkess, chairman of the BSPA, said: “This is great news for speedway.” Sky Sports has helped raise the profile of the sport and boosted attendance at tracks including Arena Essex, home of the Lakeside Hammers team. Coverage of Speedway is presented by former GB Captain and World long track champion Kelvin Tatum with commentary by Nigel Pearson.