Coventry, who only returned to competitive action in 2012, were elected to the Elite League – Cycle Speedway`s top tier – at a meeting of the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Commission, held in Brackley, Northamptonshire, last Sunday.

Its means the wheel has turned full circle at the booming Hearsall Common club. After no racing at the Earlsdon venue for four years until 2012, the club has again joined the ranks of the sports premier clubs.

Top teams such as south coast glamour club Poole, reigning Elite League champions Wednesfield Aces of Wolverhampton and multi champions Horspath (Oxford) will now adorn the fully re-instated Hearsall Common circuit next season.

Club officials and riders were ecstatic with the news. Chairman Dave Foster, a veteran of the Coventry Cycle Speedway scene, said:

We are delighted with this news. It’s taken us eight long years but we are back where we belong

One of the clubs top riders Myke Grimes, who has reached three British Finals, said:

I enjoyed my time racing for Sheffield in the Elite League but nothing beats racing for your home town club. It’s going to be tremendous racing for my real club in the Elite League

Founder member Joe McLaughlin, who rode in the clubs very first match in 1978 and still retains his place in the first team today, commented:

We never gave up our quest to re-join the top level of the sport, even in the harsh wilderness years of 2007- 2011 when the track was overgrown. It’s a great credit to us all

Australian ace Bobby McMillan, the new World number 4, said:

This is fantastic news. Coventry are, in every way, one of the top clubs in the world and they deserve to be an elite club

Team manager Lee Marsh, who is expected to be confirmed in his role for Elite League matches, said:

I have been involved in many local sports in Coventry and Warwickshire for 20 years. I have never seen the total passion, hard work and community spirit that exists in the Coventry Cycle Speedway club. It will be an honour to manage the club in the Elite League

Rising star Dan Drewett, one of the clubs many home grown junior stars, said:

It will be cool to race for my team Coventry in the Elite league in 2016. I am just turned 18 and feel I now need top level racing to continue to improve

Coventry`s elevation to the Elite League has been recognised by David Nuttall, Head of Service for Sport at Coventry City Council, he said

Coventry Cycle Speedway club has developed really well over the last few years, and has recently delivered a fantastic international event. This aligns well with the City’s 10 year sports strategy about developing sport within Coventry from grassroots to an elite level, the club has done a great job and I would like to congratulate all the volunteers that work behind the scenes and wish them every success in the 2016 Elite League.

Coventry`s election to the Elite League is conditional on the club working towards `Clubmark` by March 2016. They have already started this process and already fulfil certain required criteria. Clubmark is a universally acknowledged cross sport accreditation scheme for community sports clubs which adopt best practice.

For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway team, please go to: www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk