SPEEDWAY: It looks as though 2000 world speedway champion Mark Loram will have to give up his Grand Prix status if he wants to stay riding in the Sky Sports Elite League next season.
By Elvin King
IT looks as though 2000 world speedway champion Mark Loram will have to give up his Grand Prix status if he wants to stay riding in the Sky Sports Elite League next season.
The Stowmarket-based rider was set to ride for Sittingbourne, but hopes that BSPA president Terry Russell had of opening up a new track in the Kent town were delayed when the local council voted emphatically to turn down planning permission because of the noise element.
Loram could have gone to Belle Vue but lingered and Jason Crump stepped in to ensure his Elite League future.
Eastbourne were interested but again Loram and his manager/mechanic Norrie Allan stalled and the Eagles are now ready to announce Polish rider Krzysztof Cegielski as their GP rider.
Loram rode for Peterborough last season but their nominated GP rider for 2002 will be Ryan Sullivan.
"I have got nowhere to go and I am not happy about it," said Loram. "The Elite League is my bread and butter so I have got to have a serious think about where I go from here.
"I might have to consider giving up my GP status. It is not fair, buit I might happen."
The news of Sittingbourne's plight leaves the Elite League with the same nine clubs as this year.
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