PLANS to mark Swindon Robins’ 70th anniversary season could see the club jet to Poland to take part in a challenge fixture against Ekstraliga giants Torun, team manager Alun Rossiter has revealed.

This year not only marks a major anniversary in the Robins’ history, but also for Torun who will celebrate 10 years of speedway racing in the state-of-the-art Marian Rose Motoarena.

It is also 16 years since Swindon entered an agreement with the city to become twinned.

The agreement covers a range of developments in both Swindon and Torun – including business, education, culture, tourism and the environment.

Torun contacted the Robins proposing a challenge fixture on a Saturday in May – the month in which the twinning agreement was reached in 2003.

Rossiter has since discussed the proposal with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, with a view to receiving the Council’s backing to allow the fixture to take place.

“There are things in the pipeline with regards to challenge fixtures,” said Rossiter.

“I’ve had Torun in talks, and that’s because of Swindon’s link with the city.

“I’ve spoken to Justin Tomlinson and I’d like to get the Council involved.

“This year marks Torun’s 60th anniversary season and the 10th anniversary of being in their new stadium.

“Because we’re twinned, Torun want to do a challenge in May on a Saturday.

“That would be just in Poland – a one-off fixture.”

Meanwhile, it is understood that Swindon will not stage any challenge fixtures on home shale in March as the club looks to avoid the wintry weather experienced in early parts of the season in previous years.

Last year, the Robins faced Belle Vue Aces in the Charity Shield over two legs in March – but both meetings attracted unsatisfactory crowds.

Rossiter believes the option for fans to stay inside in the warm impacted both fixtures.

Therefore, a decision has been made to delay the first meeting of 2019 until April.

Rossiter added: “We’re starting a bit later this season, which I agree with.

“Knowing our luck, we’ll now have an Indian March – everything will be sunny and dry.

“But the last few seasons, standing out on the side of the track on a bitterly cold night in mid-March has not been a lot of fun.

“As much as I love my speedway, if I’m not enjoying it, then I can’t see how the fans are.

“It’s the right decision to start a little bit later, I’m sure the fans will think it’s a good move.

“I have to be there, but the fans can choose not to.

“They might look at the forecast and go against turning up because of the wintry weather.

“The later start to the season is a positive.”