SPEEDWAY fans in the borough have a new name to get their lips around. Purfleet's Arena-Essex speedway stars are now to wear the name of new team sponsor Husqvarna Motorcycles.

As well as being a big name in motorcycling the sponsors also makeeverything from forestry cutting equipment to sewing machines.

The sponsorship deal was arranged through Husky Sport, who are a major Husqvarna motorcycle dealer in Britain. The team will be known as the Arena-Essex Husqvarna Hammers.

Husqvarna, through Husky Sport, are not new to Speedway as they have supported former Purfleet team captain Kelvin Tatum in the past and also provided the Hammers team with sponsorship last season.

In addition they sponsored a meeting in 2004when theybrought along members of their racing squad to the Arena-Essex Raceway.

EARLY season fixtures for Purfleets Arena-Essex Husqvarna Hammers are:

March 16 (Weds) Eastbourne(ABM)home fixture.

March 19 (Sat) Eastbourne(ABM)away.

March 22(Tues) Poole(ELA)(home Live on Sky)

March 25(Fri) Ipswich(ELA) Good Friday, 2pm start, way.

March 27 (Sun) Elite League Pairs at Peterborough.

March 30 (Weds) Oxford(ELA) home.

April 6 (Sun) Poole(ELA) away.

April 8th (Fri) Leigh Lanham (8pm start)home.

April 13 (Wed)Wolerhampton(ELA)home.

April 15 (Fri) Peterborough(ELA) away.

April 18(Mon) Wolverhampton(ELA) away.

April 20 (Wed) Peterborough(ELA) home.

April 21 (Thurs) Oxford(ELA) away.

April 25 (Mon) Coventry(ELA) away.

April 27 (Wed) Coventry(ELA) home.

All home fixtures, first race at 7.45pm except where shown)