SHEFFIELD Tigers will open their exciting new speedway season against one of the most famous clubs in the world.

Manchester's Elite League side Belle Vue Aces will be the visitors to Owlerton Stadium for the first fixture of the season on Thursday, March 18.

It means a rare visit to Sheffield for the Aces, who are managed by former Tigers man Chris Morton. They will include Swedish legend Peter Karlsson, who won the Elite League with Wolves last season, talented British prospect James Wright and Danish duo Charlie Gjedde and Patrick Hougaard. Hans Andersen, their Grand Prix rider, will sit this one out as he is already booked elsewhere.

It also means the first test of the season for Sheffield's new side with debut boys Josef Franc and Arlo Bugeja joining skipper Ricky Ashworth, Richard Hall, Hugh Skidmore, Josh Auty and Paul Cooper.

"In recent years we have always tried to field a very attractive opening fixture at Owlerton, the Elite League boys love to give it a blast on the fastest track in Britain," said Tigers owner Neil Machin.

"We have tried to bring Belle Vue to Sheffield in previous seasons but rider availability has always been complicated."