Sam Ermolenko believes that Leicester Lions' new speedway circuit will have the "awe factor".

Work is progressing well on the £1.2 million project at Beaumont Park.

"We've been active on the site for the past two weeks and things are running very smoothly," said Ermolenko, the Lions' sporting director.

"Without doubt we will be ready for the start of next season in March. The time we have now, because of the weather, allows us a more relaxed approach and we are on course to start the 20-week construction programme very soon.

"I can't put it into words what I anticipate it to be like, but I have a vision. I can see the whole thing, its going to be good. When you come into Beaumont Park the awe factor will happen. And when people leave I want them to go away thinking it was great."

One man who knows plenty about speedway in Leicester is Martin Rogers, who, with wife Lin, promoted the Lions from 1980 until the club's last meeting in 1983.

"We've lived in Australia for over 20 years but have returned to England about a dozen times," said Rogers, now 66.

"We always come back to Leicester, so we're really excited, emotional even.

"If you invest as much as we did in terms of time, effort, energy and money then you can only be delighted that, after all this time, speedway is going to happen again."

The Lions last roared in October, 1983, before their Blackbird Road venue was sold for a housing development. It left the Rogers in limbo and attempts to find an alternative site proved fruitless.

"From our own experience, we know how difficult it is once an existing facility has gone," said Rogers. "We know how difficult it is to find an appropriative venue, then try to cross all the many bridges that need to be crossed.

"What has been clear is that there were enough people who refused to say never and, ultimately, some influential and astute people have found a way to make it happen.

"We are thrilled. When we were promoters. we embraced Leicester speedway as a family and the Leicester speedway family embraced us.

"Speedway has been in Leicester on and off since 1929. We were pleased to have held the reins for a period of time and delighted the story-line is going to be picked up again.

"We always shared the dream and the passion of the people that lived here that somehow, some way and some day, it would happen again."

The Rogers will return to Australia at the end of August. Then the planning starts for the next trip. "We're definitely hoping to be here for the opening in March," they said.