SPEEDWAY action moves to a new time this weekend when the Cleveland Bays host Derbyshirebased outfit Buxton Hitmen in a Conference League encounter at South Tees Motorsport Park.

Due to Middlesbrough FC playing at 3pm the meeting has been put back to a 6pm start. There is however an aggregate bonus point at stake with the Bays facing an eight-point deficit.

Both teams have been hit by injuries to key riders so the rider replacement ruling, whereby a team mate replaces an injured rider, comes into place.

The Bays are severely weakened and are missing three key riders, Greg Blair, Martin Emerson and Sean Stoddart. Blair was involved in the worst crash witnessed at the venue since the sport returned in last week's match against Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Emerson has an ankle injury and is out for at least another month and Newcastle won't allow Stoddart to ride the day before they race Redcar Bears in a local derby at Brough Park. The same reason was given by Redcar promoter Chris Van Straaten for Jack Hargreaves who rejoined the club this week from Stoke. Hargreaves has been struggling for form and a spell in the Conference League would do his confidence no harm. Fifteen-year old Kye Norton returns at reserve whilst David Wallinger drops down from the No.2 spot to partner Norton.

Buxton have Jack Roberts and Charles Wright both out. Roberts scored a seven ride 21pt maximum in the corresponding fixture last year, whilst Wright was injured recently whilst riding for his parent club Workington.

Burnt Tree' Bays: 1 Mark Burrows; 2 Steve Jones; 3 Rider Replacement for Greg Blair; 4 Ashley Johnson; 5 Gary Beaton; 6 David Wallinger; 7 Kye Norton.

Buxton Hitmen: 1 Jonathan Bethell; 2 Danny Hodgson; 3 Scott James; 4 Ben Taylor; 5 Rider Replacement for Jack Roberts; 6 Lewis Dallaway; 7 Paul Starke.

Admission to the meeting remains £10 for adults; £5 for OAPs/Students and free of charge for Under 16s.

THE Cleveland Bays were dealt a savage blow in last week's home defeat against reigning champions Scunthorpe. Greg Blair, who has been scoring double figures home and away, was flung like a rag doll into the safety fence at high speed and over into the spectator area.

Greg and Scunthorpe's Scott Richardson, who was on the inside off gate 1, appeared to clash into one another and this resulted in the worst crash seen at the venue.

Medical staff rushed to the scene to treat the stricken Jedbergh youngster and there were real fears that major damage had been sustained.

After a lengthy delay Greg was taken to James Cook Hospital where checks revealed later that he had badly broken his left elbow and sustained damage to the inside of his mouth. He was operated on Wednesday morning who is confident he can repair the injury.

Any supporters wishing to contact Greg can do so at Ward 37.

REIGNING champions Scunthorpe defeated the Cleveland Bays by 57- 34pts last Thursday evening.

Following Greg Blair's crash in Heat 12 the heart went out of the Bays side, understandably in the circumstances, conceding two 5-1s and a 4-2 heat advantage in the last three heats. Up until then the Bays had debutant Sean Stoddart, Greg Blair, Ashley Johnson & David Wallinger all riding as competitive as any Scorpions rider.

Tai Woffinden who has an eight point average in the Premier League with Rye House and Andrew Tully who has a five point average with Edinburgh were a class above. Their inclusion in the Scunthorpe team making a mockery of Conference League rules stating that no rider with a Premier League average of more than four is allowed to ride in the Conference League.

Burnt Tree' Bays: Sean Stoddart 12, Ashley Johnson 9+2, Greg Blair 8, David Wallinger 2, Mark Burrows, Steve Jones & Gary Beaton 1 MIDDLESBROUGH-based Laminate Flooring Direct who specialise in supplying laminates for floors, ceilings and walls have provisionally agreed a record amount of sponsorship with the club.

The company's manager Peter Roath met the club's community development officer Steve Harland last Thursday and the pair agreed a provisional arrangement which will see the Newport South Business Parkbased company sponsor between 6/8 meetings next season for a substantial four-figure sum.

The company were guests of the club at last night's Premier League fixture between Redcar and Mildenhall. Another company, Ceramic Tile Distributors of Stocktonon- Tees have agreed to sponsor the prestigous Silver Helmet individual meeting that was won by Bedalebased Elite League rider Richard Hall last season.