NEWPORT will open the season with several top riders doing battle at the Hayley Stadium circuit.

Wasps have confirmed that popular reserve Nick Simmons has agreed a deal to return to the team, and he is due a testimonial meeting having been an asset of the Isle of Wight for ten years.

Simmons was keen for that event to take place at Newport, and the early-seasondate of Sunday, March 16 has enabled a number of star names to indicate that they are happy to be involved.

Subject to any clashing commitments appearing on the fixture list, Elite League men Chris Harris, Rory Schlein, Chris Holder, Davey Watt and Leigh Lanham have agreed to ride.

And there is also the possibility of double World Champion Jason Crump, pictured, heading the line-up, with Simmons currently awaitinga replyfrom the Australian ace whose father Phil is Simmons' engine tuner.

He said: "I've told Tim (Stone) that I'll be making every effort to make it as good an event as possible. The top riders shouldn't have too many other commitments at that time because Poland won't have started, so the line-up will be good for Newport as well as for me.

"I'm pleased to be back with Newport this year, and I knew it was likely at the end of last season when Tim spoke to me before the AGM and told me he wanted me whatever was decided there.

"Tim knows how I work and I'm happy with how they do things at Newport so it's perfect for me and I'm glad it's all sorted."

Wasps promoter Stone is currently working on several ongoing issues relating to the team, and is hopeful of reaching some conclusions this week.

But another rider from last year that he will be doing without is young Australian Tom Hedley, who has completed a move to Premier League rivals Somerset.

Stone said: "Neil Street spoke to Tom in Australia on behalf of Newport, and he told Neil that he would be coming back to Newport this year.

"Then it was relayed to me by a third party that Tom felt he couldn't ride our track and that he therefore wanted to race for Somerset rather than ourselves.

"He did show some good form at times and it's just a little frustrating that we brought a new rider over, he learnt all of the tracks and then we don't get the benefit from that in his second season."