ORGANISERS of the Telford ice meetings have come up trumps with their latest interval attraction - speedway's version of 'Dancing on Ice'.

The show is a massive hit with millions of viewers on terrestrial TV and ice rinks up and down the country have been packed skating fever grips the nation.

Now speedway riders will get their skates on with Telford's ice dance expert Danielle and fans of the event will vote for the winner on Sunday, February 24 (3pm and 7.30pm).

Telford co-promoter Graham Drury said: "We've had some amazing interval attractions down the years.

"Fans will remember the human slug racing, the knifethrower and a former Wolves goalkeeper playing in our own penalty shootout in world cup year.

"But I firmly believe this will be one of the best, if not the best. Dancing on Ice has been a revelation on TV, reality shows where people are voted out seem to be the thing of the moment.

"I've been ringing round riders to tell them to get down to their local ice rink to practice their ice skating! Even the latest rider from Poland to join us, Marek Mroz, has said he is going to try and get out to do some practice with the skates!

"It's down to the crowd to decide who is going to win speedway's very own version of the popular TV show. Never mind the speedway, I'm sure the riders will be nervous about ice dancing in front of a packed Telford audience!"

Meanwhile on the track, Stoke duo Emiliano Sanchez and Lee Complin have pulled out of the event as they have both told Drury they have concerns over their fitness following knocks last season.

Both have been replaced in quick time with Pole Mroz, an expert on ice after vast experience in his home country, and Czech Republic star Matyas Hlavacek. Hlavacek has been riding on ice alongside Mario Jirout and Tomas Suchanek in his home country and has a spectacular style.

"These latest two signings will be worth the admission money alone," said Drury. "They're both keen to ride and make a big impression here at Telford and I'm sure they'll be spectacular to say the least.

"I spoke to Emiliano on Monday and I fully understand why both he and Lee Complin have withdrawn, they want to be sure they are right for the start of the domestic season."

CONFIRMED STARTERS:
Matyas Hlavacek (Czech Republic), Marek Mroz (Poland), Martin Smolinski (Germany, Coventry asset), William Lawson (Edinburgh), Wayne Broadhurst (Shropshire, Unattached), Craig Branney (Workington), John Branney (Workington), Edward Kennett (Eastbourne), Tony Atkin (Newport), Josef Franc (Newcastle), Shaun Tacey (King's Lynn), Phil Morris (Birmingham), Jack Hargreaves (Birmingham), David Howe (Wolverhampton).

Tickets are available, for both afternoon and evening sessions, from the credit card hotline 08451559966 or by post with cheques payable to World Indoor Ice, Speedway Office, 27 Upper Chirk Bank, Chirk, Wrexham

Ll14 5EB. Please enclose a SAE. Further information is available by visiting

CLICK HERE to check out the 'Speedway Stars Dancing on Ice' photos in our Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Claire Perkins