Speedway: How the teams rev up . .

A WIND of change has blown through the Berwick camp with five new arrivals at Shielfield. Only stalwart Michal Makovsky and skipper Paul Clews escaped the purge by the club's new owners, who are intent on making their mark. However the Bandits lost their opening match against Newcastle.

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES

BOSS Graham Drury has a reputation for ruthlessness and has shown the door to five of his 2009 under performers. Steve Johnston is Brummies' big signing – one of five Aussies in their revamped line-up, including ex-Monarch Aaron Summers. They have already recorded a crushing M6 Trophy win over Stoke.

GLASGOW TIGERS

THE Tigers have been toothless in recent seasons, occupying the basement area of the Premier League. They have brought in Travis McGowan to replace long-time skipper Shane Parker. To some the Tigers still have too long a tail but a challenge success over Elite League Coventry will have given them a boost.

KING'S LYNN STARS

THE Stars had to jettison three of last year's title winning team and face a stiff task to hold on to their championship. Kevin Dolan returns to the Norfolk Arena after spending last year at Workington. And alongside skipper Tomas Topinka, the Stars have a solid top two and their middle order doesn't look too shabby either.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS

AFTER a late season charge up the table in 2009, Newcastle have retained six of their seven riders'-the only change is that Trent Leverington has made way for Dakota North at reserve. This should be to their advantage and the Diamonds certainly feel a play-off spot is well within their capabilities.

NEWPORT WASPS

THE Wasps lacked sting last season and finished bottom . They have rung the changes in an effort to bring about improvement. Certainly their choice of Todd Kurtiz at reserve could be a shrewd move in light of the high scores he attained in the National League.

REDCAR BEARS

THE Bears often look more potent on paper than they do on the track, although this year's squad looks slightly stronger than the 2009 vintage. But they have already lost to Workington at home and it remains to be seen if the Bears can live up to their promise.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS

THE Rockets have failed to lift off in past years despite a home track which visiting teams find tough. Captain Chris Neath and Swede Linus Sundstrom will look for support from the likes of Luke Bowen and, if he can deliver, the Rockets might fly.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS

THE Scorpions are pretty much as they were last season with the exception of Ritchie Hawkins who has rejoined his old club Somerset Rebels. They boast a fairly solid line-up and are led by David Howe and ex-Monarch Magnus Karlsson, although the former didn't dominate the league as some had expected him to do last season.

SHEFFIELD TIGERS

THE mighty Tigers wobbled a few times in 2009, especially at their Owlerton base, which had hitherto been something of a fortress, and this seriously undermined their challenge. Josef Franc and Arlo Bugeja are their new recruits and Sheffield, with one of the best venues in the country, must start living up to their surroundings.

STOKE POTTERS

DESPITE a debate over his starting average, new boy Ricky Wells is the Potters star acquisition. He should endow the Potters with some much-needed polish but, as ever, their biggest problem remains how to win away from home.

SOMERSET REBELS

THE Rebels' big swoop was to snap up Shane Parker, who left Glasgow Tigers after years of sterling service. The Aussie was a tireless points scorer for Glasgow and often a lone one. He should get more solid support from his Rebels team-mates.

WORKINGTON COMETS

KEVIN DOOLAN'S decision to return to King's Lynn left the Comets with a team-building headache. They struggled to find a replacement of equal stature before signing Chris Schramm, whose average is a point lower than Doolan's. Dane Peter Kildemand is a new arrival and the Comets will certainly more than hold their own.