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Newport Wasps Speedway has closed after an eleventh-hour takeover attempt failed to produce a financial agreement. The club had planned to continue in 2012 because a deal with Trojan International would have brought stock car racing to Queensway Meadows Stadium and covered its rent, but Trojan withdrew and the proposed takeover also collapsed. Promoter Steve Mallett informed the club's seven riders and the British Speedway Promoters' Association, bringing an end to speedway in Newport amid falling crowds and continuing financial pressure.

Nick Mallett has resigned as co-promoter of Newport Wasps after the club’s continuing dispute with the British Speedway Promoters’ Association over Australian rider Todd Kurtz’s starting average. Mallett cited dissatisfaction with the governing body’s handling of the dispute, alongside personal commitments including his family haulage business and a house move. His father, Steve, was considering whether to withdraw from the club, which had recently won its first silverware since 1999. Nick Mallett plans to continue competing in grass-track racing.

Leigh Lanham previews Newport Wasps’ New Year Classic speedway meeting, describing its line-up of established riders and emerging talent as highly competitive. With Lanham absent in New York, 19-year-old Anders Mellgren will carry Newport’s home hopes. Lanham praises the organizers, recalls surprise winners from previous editions, and hopes strong attendance will build momentum for Newport’s 2012 season, when the team aims to defend its success and challenge for the league title.

Mark Lemon has replaced Brent Werner in the line-up for the 2012 New Year Classic after Werner withdrew shortly before the event. Lemon, a former Newport rider who later became successful with Newcastle, was contacted while travelling from Australia and agreed to compete. Meeting coordinator Laurence Rogers welcomed the addition, which provides another number-one rider, while tuner Ashley Holloway prepared engine settings using the new silencers. The meeting is scheduled for January 2 at 1 p.m. with a 12-rider field.

Newport Wasps Speedway will compete in the 2012 season and defend its British Premier League Knockout Cup title after months of financial uncertainty. The club will ground-share Queensway Meadows Stadium with Hampshire-based Trojan International’s stock-car racing operation, with the Wasps moving primarily to Friday race nights. Co-promoter Steve Mallett said Trojan owner Craig Robinson would become actively involved, enabling planning and team rebuilding. Several key riders, including Leigh Lanham, Charlie Gjedde and Todd Kurtz, were expected to return, while the cup defence would begin against Leicester Tigers.

Newport Hornets, the British National League speedway team, has been disbanded because poor crowds caused unsustainable financial losses. Co-promoter Nick Mallett said the decision was unrelated to the team’s last-place finish and noted that fewer than 50 paying customers attended its final meeting. The future of the British Premier League Newport Wasps remained undecided, while officials informed the governing body and riders. Despite the closure, the Hornets were credited with helping several riders launch or revive their careers.

Newport’s two speedway teams will conclude their 2011 campaigns at Queensway Meadows Stadium on consecutive days. The Mike Manning Wasps host Edinburgh Monarchs and could secure fourth place in the Premier League, depending partly on results involving Berwick Bandits, Somerset Rebels and Workington Comets. The Drillerman Hornets then face the newly crowned Scunthorpe/Sheffield British National League champions, but must cover the absence of number-one heat leader Todd Kurtz through rider replacement. The weekend also includes a pre-Halloween event and the club’s end-of-season presentation.

Newport Wasps seek to secure fourth place in the British Premier League during the final weekend of their 2011 campaign. After a poor start that left them bottom of the table, new signings and the return of Anders Mellgren helped them win 17 of their next 24 league fixtures and build an 11-match home-winning streak. They also won the BPL Knockout Cup by defeating eventual league champions Glasgow Tigers. Newport need three of seven available points from meetings with Berwick Bandits and Edinburgh Monarchs to overtake Somerset Rebels, while Workington Comets remain in contention.

Newport Wasps begin the final weeks of the 2011 speedway season with a chance to secure a top-four British Premier League finish, despite winning only two of their first 12 fixtures and losing their first five home meetings. A series of team changes and improved performances from riders including Charlie Gjedde, Jason Doyle, Anders Mellgren and Leigh Lanham transformed their campaign. The Wasps recently won the BPL Knockout Cup against Glasgow Tigers and face three remaining league meetings against Berwick Bandits and Edinburgh Monarchs. Jason Doyle is unavailable while recovering from shoulder surgery, with rider replacement arranged, while Berwick field David Howe as a guest for the injured Sebastian Alden.