BENFIELD Sports International have surprised the British speedway public with their announcement of the venues for the 2006 FIM Speedway World Cup.

Despite successfully staging the opening round of the competition last year at Blunsdon and attracting a near 5,000 crowd Swindon Speedway does not feature at all this year.

The world team championship will once again be staged in three different countries. The opening round will be held in Rybnik, Poland on Sunday July 16 and round two in Malilla, Sweden, two days later.

The big shock is the choice of Smallmead, Reading, as the venue for the run-off and final on July 20 and Saturday July 22 rerspectively, subject to stadium approval.

Reading have only just re-joined the top flight after a 10 year absence under the new promotion fronted by BSI. Also the stadium is due to close and be rebuilt nearby within the next couple of years.

ROBINS Pit Crew held a successful first open meeting and free disco on Thursday night at the Premier Club.

Approximately 60 people attended and a significant amount was raised from membership fees and sale of tickets for the official Pit Crew launch on Saturday March 11 at the Premier Club.

On that night, on the eve of the Press and Practice day, all the riders will be attending a social night comprising of a disco and music from the former Ludwig Beatles.