(SPEEDWAY 1)
SWINDON have re-signed Polish star Tobiasz Musielak for their defence of the SGB Premiership title next year.
Musielak’s mid-season arrival at Blunsdon in 2017 coincided with a stunning run of successive wins for the Robins with 15 of their 17-match sequence taking place with him in the side.
They advanced to the top of the table during that period before getting the better of Poole and Wolverhampton in dramatic play-off contests.
Musielak said: “I’m very pleased to be back. I really enjoyed my time with Swindon and I was very pleased with my own scores.
“It was very special to win a league title and hopefully we can do it again. This is the right move for me.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON favourite Kyle Howarth will be back at Monmore Green for a third successive season in 2018.
The 23-year-old was unveiled as the club's first signing for next year at a well-attended winter talk-in on Monday where it was also announced that long-term team sponsors Parrys International will return for an 18th successive season as title backers.
Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “Kyle has come a long way as a rider over the past couple of seasons and that's great for us because he feels very settled at Wolverhampton.
“That's really pleasing because he's a great lad and he's been turfed out of clubs previously. But we can see the potential and quality that already exists, and we know there's still plenty more to come from him too.
“It’s good that we continue to set records in the history of the speedway club. Not only are we the longest running promotion in British speedway, but we have the longest running team sponsorship – now going into its 18th year.
“It takes a lot of pressure off running a speedway club when you have a substantial sponsor. It helps if there’s some sort of connection with the team and Dave (Parry) played an important role in Wolves’ history.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW’S major team re-vamp has continued with the signing of Lewis Kerr for the 2018 campaign.
Kerr makes the move to Ashfield after most recently racing at SGB Championship level for Scunthorpe – and he says he’s excited to be heading north.
Kerr said: “I love everything about the club. The track is one of my favourites in the UK and what they've done with the place and the promotion - everything about it - it's just amazing and I can't wait to get started.
“I had some really good highlights last season and I'm going in the right direction, so I'm looking forward to starting the season.
“The travelling doesn't affect me - and when you're turning up to a nice track and a good club, it makes up for it. You know you're going to be in a winning side and it makes it worthwhile.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
AMERICAN star Gino Manzares will make his return to British racing with Scunthorpe next season.
Ipswich asset Manzares has been absent from the UK domestic scene over the last two years but now joins the Scorpions on a 5.43 average. His starting colleague at reserve is to be determined via the club’s winter programme at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “He is a high-quality rider and it’s a further sign that we really do mean business in 2018. The message is clear – put Friday nights aside in your diary for next summer, because you don’t want to miss the first-class speedway team in action at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
“Gino is the very best option we had with the remaining points. He showed real class when he rode in Britain before for Ipswich, and his average was much higher at one point than the one we’ve signed him on.
“He will start at reserve - but won’t stay at reserve for the whole season, that’s for sure. He’ll push another very strong rider down to the reserve position, since we’ve got six potential heat-leaders. Whoever is at reserve is going to score a hatful of points.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
THE Isle of Wight have named Scott Campos as their second confirmed starter for the 2018 National League campaign.
Campos returned to a riding capacity with the Warriors in the second half of last season after starting the campaign at King’s Lynn and then moving into the team manager’s role at the Adrian Flux Arena.
Isle of Wight boss Jackie Vatcher said: “Scott joined us after Kings Lynn withdrew from the National League and immediately he was a major boost to the team where he provided solid support for the heat leaders.
“Scott was a great addition to the team, in what was a difficult year on track. We are all delighted that he is back on board for next year with a handy 5.80 average, and we are already looking forward to seeing him blast around the air fence at Smallbrook.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
EASTBOURNE have confirmed the return of Kelsey Dugard to Arlington in 2018 for a third spell with the club.
Dugard lost his place with the Eagles in the early stages of last season and also had a brief spell with the Isle of Wight, but was in demand for next year due to his low average.
He said: “I’m delighted to be back, I get a lot of support from Eastbourne, from the sponsors and fans as do all of the team. I think I’ve taken it for granted in the past.
“In all honesty, I’ve had nearly every club in the National League after me this winter and I think that’s what prompted Connor and Dad [Martin Dugard] to sign me.
“I’ve joined the gym and I’m trying to sort out things off the track so everything will be ready to go come March.”
