VOICE of speedway Nigel Pearson was taken by surprise when tickets for Swindon Robins’ upcoming ‘evening with Doyley and Batch’ sold out within 24 hours.

The TV and radio broadcaster will host a talk show with Australian internationals Jason Doyle and Troy Batchelor on Thursday, January 30, at Alun Rossiter’s Southbrook Inn.

Fans of the double-winning Robins were quick to snap up tickets – and Pearson praised the proactive work of club manager Rossiter and co-promoter Lee Kilby.

He said: “Swindon Speedway is a proactive club, and the Southbrook Inn is a great venue for an event like this.

“Sheffield are running a similar event next week with Nicki Pedersen, and they’ve sold out too. It’s a great opportunity for fans to have a great time and a nice pre-season get together.

“But, also, it can provide the club with a bit of valuable income over the winter months.

“I’ve done an event with Jason (Doyle) before at Somerset – that was a great night.

“I’m looking forward to Batch (Troy Batchelor) too. I know people have opinions on Batch, but I actually like the guy and I know he will have some forthright views on things and I’m looking forward to hearing them.”

Ahead of the 2020 SGB Premiership season, which is expected to kick-off in March, Pearson pointed to the positivity surrounding British speedway after Gaming International were on Tuesday night given the go ahead by Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee to build a new stadium.

Towards the end of last year, Eurosport committed to a five-year Premiership broadcasting deal while Sheffield Tigers announced they would be stepping into the sport’s top flight and in turn bring three-times world champion Nicki Pedersen back to English racing for the first time since 2011.

“I sound like I’ve got my PR head on, but let’s look at the positive things going on and realise it’s not all doom and gloom,” said Pearson.

“What I saw on Tuesday night was fantastic, I’ve been following the (Swindon) stadium situation through the length of the process.

“All the sarcastic comments have been in one way understandable, but in another way out of order.

“None of this has been the speedway’s fault. We should all look forward now.

“Sheffield have one of the best stadiums and race tracks in the country, we have a new stadium at Belle Vue – which is hosting a world final this year too.”