News has begun to filter out from the British Speedway Promoters Association AGM which is currently taking place in Coventry and ends tomorrow (Sunday).
And the most important news so far from Oxford's point of view is that the Premier League have agreed to allow Cheetahs owner Allen Trump a limited amount of time to try to secure a deal with their Cowley stadium landlords, the GRA for a return of senior racing to the city.
Providing that such an agreement can be reached, and naturally everyone hopes that it can be, the Cheetahs will line up alongside 17 other certain starters in the 2008 Premier League. The line-up of clubs will then read Berwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newcastle, Newport, Oxford, Reading, Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.
Reading are moving down from the Elite League and the BSPA have also accepted an application from Scunthorpe.
Premier League clubs will be allowed to build up their seven man sides up to a combined maximum points limit of 41.5 in terms of riders averages.
Elite League chiefs have introduced a new points limit to govern team strengths with the aim of providing a greater parity throughout the nine clubs.
Champions Coventry will defend their title against Belle Vue, Eastbourne, Ipswich, Lakeside, Peterborough, Poole, Swindon and Wolverhampton.
Transfer speculation will increase with the new limit in the Elite League being set at 38.85 as clubs look to build their side with the aim of reaching the top four, and the top-flight play-offs.
Promotion and relegation between the top two leagues will be introduced, with further details to be revealed at the culmination of the conference on Sunday.
Sheffield's Neil Machin has decided to end his time on Management Committee, and has been replaced by the vastly-experienced Alex Harkess of Edinburgh. Pete Toogood remains Chairman for a fourth season, with Wolverhampton and Redcar chief Chris Van Straaten staying as vice-chairman, and other members Colin Pratt (Coventry) and Dave Pavitt (Isle of Wight) keep their seats.
The conference will end on Sunday, and a further statement, including the comments of chairman Toogood, will be issued that evening.
