News of Birmingham's proposed return to League speedway in March 2006 has prompted delight among the sport's aficionados.
Kidderminster-based businessman Tony Mole, the owner of Belle Vue and Workington, has plans in place to revive the Brummies at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium and now needs the go-ahead from Birmingham City Council.
As long as clearance is given by the end of October, work will then proceed to install a track and various facilities at the stadium to enable Birmingham to enter next season's Premier League.
In the early 1980s, the Midlands was a hotbed of speedway, but gradually tracks such as Birmingham, Leicester, Long Eaton and - most famously - Cradley Heath disappeared, leaving only Wolverhampton and Coventry in the top flight and Stoke in the second tier.
Wolves boss Chris Van Straaten, himself linked with a move to reopen the sport in Teesside, has reacted positively to the potential return of a Brummies team, who would operate with a regular race-night of Wednesday.
Van Straaten said: "It's very exciting to have the prospect of another speedway club in the West Midlands area.
"It was very sad when Birmingham lost the old Perry Barr at the end of 1983 and I was the promoter there at the time. Bordesley Green was never successful because Perry Barr was such a great venue.
"In the current Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium, we have a luxurious venue with wonderful facilities and I feel sure the project will be a big success. I am very supportive of the efforts."
Wolves face bottom-placed Oxford in tonight's Elite League action at Monmore Green and have booked former world champion Mark Loram to guest for the injured Mikael Max.
Ironically, Loram was in opposition to Wolves on Friday when he was riding for Eastbourne and he scored 16 points before being controversially excluded in the bonus-point run-off, which was awarded to Wolves guest Peter Karlsson.
Oxford have had a miserable season which started with a serious injury to Billy Hamill. The American is now back in the team and always forms a strong spearhead with Greg Hancock at Monmore, but numerous team changes from Silver Machine boss Nigel Wagstaff have failed to lift them out of the Elite League's wooden-spoon position and Wolves should be confident of another home win after last week's good showing against Swindon.
Two of the League's top three clash in Manchester as Coventry travel to leaders Belle Vue, still with a realistic chance of overhauling Poole for second place.
The Bees will use rider replacement to cover for the absence of Polish rider Sebastian Ulamek who is competing in his national championship. They will also be keeping a keen eye on the scoreline at the match between Poole and Peterborough.
Coventry trail Poole by five points but have two matches in hand and it could well be that the clash between the two clubs at Wimborne Road at the end of the month is crucial in determining the runners-up spot and, therefore, who gains home advantage in the play-off semi finals.
Eastbourne are also in contention, but the Eagles are fighting against several injuries.
