NOW that Swindon Robins have a proven racetrack, chairman Terry Russell is hopeful home and away challenge meetings with Polish champions Leszno can be arranged to mark the club’s 70th anniversary.

Earlier this year, the Adver revealed the Robins’ plan to fulfil a two-part challenge series against former Ekstraliga giants Torun – a town Swindon has been twinned with since 2003.

Leszno were also in talks with Swindon regarding home and away sparring ties ahead of what turned into the club’s most successful season in its history.

However, persistent off-track delays meant Russell could only deliver a track suitable for racing on the morning of the club’s opening home fixture of the season when Poole Pirates visited the Abbey in the SGB Premiership Supporters’ Cup on April 18.

It is understood that Leszno wanted to race at the Abbey in March.

Therefore, fans’ dreams of watching the likes of Emil Sayfutdinov, Bartosz Smektala, Piotr Pawlicki and Janusz Kolodziej roar around the Abbey were put on hold for a year.

But following Swindon’s sensational league and cup double, Russell has told the Adver that talks with Leszno have ignited once more.

And there’s every chance the Bulls – who attract an average home crowd greater than 10,000 – could visit Wiltshire in the early part of next season.

Russell said: “Leszno sent me a note of congratulations on Friday morning after our Premiership win.

“I would love to do a home and away challenge match with Leszno – the Polish champions against the British champions.

“Of course, we’d strengthen up a bit at the bottom if we race them away – Grzegorz Zengota and Peter Kildemand could be added. We’d use our usual team at home.

“I’d love to do that. We haven’t had a proper celebration of our 70th year, which started in July.

“So early next season will still be our 70th year. Plans are in the pipeline. I will try and get that going again.

“It won’t be logistically challenging for us.”

Meanwhile, Swindon’s golden season was celebrated last night at the club’s end-of-season awards evening.