SCOTT STEPS IN FOR BIRMINGHAM

Seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls has agreed a short-term contract with Sports Insure Premiership club Birmingham. 

Nicholls, who serves as a pit reporter for Eurosport at FIM Speedway events, heads to Perry Barr to stand in for injured former Speedway GP rider Piotr Pawlicki, who faces a few weeks on the sidelines with a leg muscle injury, suffered in Polish club Zielona Gora’s pre-season training camp. 

Birmingham CEO Nigel Tolley insists Pawlicki intends to get back on track at the earliest opportunity. But he is certain Nicholls will prove to be an able stand-in. Tolley said: “First and foremost we’d like to thank Scott for stepping in at short notice and getting us out of a big hole. 

“Because Piotr hasn’t yet made an appearance for Birmingham, the rules dictate that we aren’t granted a facility in terms of being able to use a guest. Therefore, we had to sign another rider who will go into our declared one-seven ahead of our first meeting in a few days’ time.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say we must’ve looked at 30 or so riders. But there are so many complications with riders who are not based in the UK now, it’s unreal. Whether that be with visas, travel or getting bikes here in time, each time we thought we were making progress we’d hit some sort of stumbling block.

“It’s well known that Scotty didn’t race in the Premiership full-time last season due to his broadcasting commitments within the sport. But with their fixtures not starting until next month, we’ve been able to agree a deal.

“As I’ve said before, we’ll be assessing the situation with Piotr on a day-by-day basis and Scott will be in the Brummies team for Thursday's trip to Oxford, a track he is very familiar with, of course, having ridden for them in the second division for the last couple of seasons.

“Only time will tell if Piotr will be ready or not for the first home meeting against Sheffield on (Monday) March 25, but if he isn’t, Scott is a big fan of the Perry Barr track and he’ll relish the challenge of facing the reigning champions.

“Should we need him at Ipswich on March 28 then again, that is what it is, and Foxhall Stadium is another place Scotty knows extremely well.

“Piotr is itching to get started with us at the earliest opportunity, but in the meantime, it’s great to have such an experienced head joining us at Brummies in Scott, and we thank him for stepping in.”