Model solution to travel worry

Lawson, 19, was a mainstay at reserve for the Parrys International Wolves last season.

But he admits the travel by van with his father William Snr from the family base in Auchterarder, Perthshire - eight hours each way just for a home match - began to tell towards the end of the campaign.

Lawson is in the thoughts of promoter Chris Van Straaten for a Monmore return next year, and is looking further to improve his set-up should he get the call.

He's lined up support from Derek Barnett of Brierley Hill diecast scale model firm DMB.

"They've been giving us some help in the pits and they're sponsoring me next year," he said.

"They've got a workshop down there and they're going to store two of the bikes. Then we can just drive down by car or fly.

"By the time you got to meetings you'd had an eight-hour drive and were pretty tired," he added.

"Then you had to drive eight hours home - and clean the bikes."

Workshop space and financial support from the deal will help a big upgrade on the mechanical front for Lawson - one of the engines he started with last season had seen service in the Conference League.

"Towards the end of the year we were running out of equipment," he said. "Engines were being serviced and we were having to use a big track engine on small tracks. It did take its toll a wee bit."

n Belle Vue have given Poole permission to open talks with world champion Jason Crump. "We have to look after our own interests," said Aces promoter Tony Mole. "That means getting a good deal."