Birmingham Brummies take Ipswich Witches' Elite spot

Birmingham Brummies are to replace Ipswich Witches in speedway's Elite League for the 2011 campaign.

The switch was revealed on Sunday at the conclusion of the British Speedway Promoters' Association's AGM.

Leicester Lions will take Stoke's Premier League place, with the Potters likely to join the National League.

"This has been a tough year for British Speedway which has called for harmony and some compromise from our members," said BSPA chairman Alex Harkess.

"We have seen a tremendous amount of goodwill extended between clubs and leagues so that we can look forward to 2011 with optimism.

"The potential to expand or consolidate the Elite League remains and will be finalised before the end of the year."

The prospect of seeing Grand Prix riders like Chris Holder, Freddie Lindgren, Kenneth Bjerre and Chris Harris at Perry Barr next season is an exciting one

Brummies manager Graham Drury

Ipswich finished bottom of the Elite League in 2010 after winning just four of their 32 meetings and, despite defeating Newcastle in a play-off to maintain their place in the division, failed to find a sponsor to fund a top flight campaign next season.

"It's pretty much based on a financial decision and the security of the club," Witches director of speedway Chris Louis told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I thought we secured a deal that would have found some financial security, that fell through very much at the eleventh hour before the AGM.

"We've been accepted in the Premier League, we very much like what we see and we're very excited about the year ahead."

The Brummies, who returned to the track in 2007 after a 14-year absence, finished third in the Premier League last season.

Brummies manager Graham Drury said: "The prospect of seeing Grand Prix riders like Chris Holder, Freddie Lindgren, Kenneth Bjerre and Chris Harris at Perry Barr next season is an exciting one.

"I'm sure this news will appeal to the wider audience and more people from throughout the area will want to come and see speedway in the top league."

The averages for the Elite League have yet to be decided while the Premier League will have a 42.50 team-building limit.

Other changes include the axing of the Premier Trophy and Young Shield competitions.