IPSWICH Witches, Wolverhampton Wolves and Peterborough Panthers have been encouraged to follow in the footsteps of SGB Premiership newcomers Sheffield Tigers by Swindon Robins co-promoter Lee Kilby, who wants to see proven world championship riders visit the Abbey Stadium next year to boost fans’ interest in the sport.

Kilby was thrilled to see three-time world champion and pantomime villain Nicki Pedersen sign up to the Tigers’ first season in the Premiership last month when bosses Damien Bates and Simon Stead confirmed their one to seven.

Peter Kildemand’s capture by Belle Vue Aces also took Kilby by surprise, who insists marketing meetings to occasional visitors to the Abbey is made easier when household names visit Wiltshire.

It is without question that Swindon skipper Jason Doyle boosted attendances when he raced at one of the Premiership’s six other tracks. After all, last season he was the only permanent Grand Prix member to complete a full year in England.

And now Kilby wants other teams to return the favour and bring the sport’s top riders back amid some riders’ call to axe Sweden from their racing calendar next term.

Kilby said: “I told clubs at the AGM that we bring Jason Doyle to their stadiums, and I know that will boost opposition teams’ attendances.

“People want to see that type of rider. And I would love nothing more than to see other clubs bring similar riders to the Abbey.

“We look at heats 13 and 15 with Doyley and Troy Batchelor and know we’re more than likely to get something out of it.

“I don’t want that. I want Nicki Pedersen and Peter Kildemand to challenge our boys – that is key.

“I’d love to see some big-hitting riders join Wolverhampton and Peterborough too. Sheffield bringing Nicki Pedersen back is huge.

“People will turn up just to watch him race. Hopefully other teams can follow.”

Closer to home, Kilby is excited about the potential within Alun Rossiter’s Robins septet for their title defence next season – which is likely start in April.

Because the league’s points limit was frustratingly frozen at last month’s AGM, Rossiter was forced to drop two riders from his golden 2019 team.

Tobiasz Musielak and Claus Vissing departed, but the additions of local lad Anders Rowe and Jordan Stewart has Kilby encouraged by what lies ahead.

He said: “We wanted to achieve continuity and bring back as many riders from 2019. I don’t think we could’ve got a better team with that in mind.

“We’re devastated to see Claus and Tobiasz go because they have been brilliant. But Anders Rowe is a real coup for the club. He is a local lad and will be great.

“Jordan Stewart is a rider with huge potential. When Leigh Adams says he is good, what you think of Jordan goes out of the window.

“And I know Jason Doyle is delighted Jordan is on board, so fingers crossed for a great year.”