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SOMERSET promoter Debbie Hancock says the Rebels are in positive mood following the capture of World Champion Jason Doyle.
The recently-released SGB Premiership fixtures confirm Wednesdays will be the regular race-night at the Oaktree Arena, and Hancock is delighted to resume the club’s relationship with Doyle who starred for them during their second-tier era.
She said: “Having Jason back with us is a dream come true in itself, but having him here as the reigning World Champion is something really special.
“Without a doubt he has been one of the best riders in the world for the past two seasons, and for him to battle back from those horrific injuries in 2016 which denied him the World crown to win the title last year just shows the character of the guy.”
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KING’S Lynn heat-leader Robert Lambert has stressed his determination to help his local club push for silverware this season.
The British Under-21 Champion is returning for a fifth year in Stars colours as they seek to rebuild following a turbulent 2017 campaign.
Lambert said: “It was great to win the Premiership Pairs in 2017. As a club, we need to build on that by qualifying for the play-offs this year and see if we can do some damage.
“We have a good team that’s been put together and it’s great to have a group of riders where you know everyone because they are a great bunch of lads. I think we can really get on well as a group both on and off the track.
“King’s Lynn is my home club where it all started for me. It’s great to have people like Lewis Kerr back at the club because we’re good friends. We have ridden together before for the Stars so hopefully we can do some team riding and get some 5-1s.”
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WORLD Champion Jason Doyle will make a rare appearance at Sheffield for Simon Stead’s farewell meeting on March 25.
Stead and Doyle were an integral part of the Swindon team which won the old Elite League title in 2012 and have remained friends since.
“It’s brilliant news and I can’t thank Jason enough,” said Stead, who is busy piecing together ‘SS The Last Lap’ after a glittering career.
“It’s also great for the Sheffield fans because they don’t get to see World Champions around Owlerton very often and I’m sure Doyley will put on a great show.
“He’s looking forward to riding on the big, fast track and it should be a memorable occasion for all the fans which is what I want it to be.”
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CONOR Dwyer is back for Cradley's National Trophy campaign - and has turned down a permanent third tier spot to do so.
The 24-year-old enjoyed some fine performances in Heathens colours last season and was desperate to be back at the club, leading to him sacrificing extra meetings in the National League in order to return.
Co-promoter Gary Patchett said: “He was aware that if he signed for another side in our half of the Trophy groups that that would rule him out of being able to ride for the Heathens.
“And even though he was offered a full team spot with another club in our group, he turned that down just so that he could ride for us in less meetings in the National Trophy.
“That's great news for us because we know what he's capable of on his day and he's great to have around the place.”
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BELLE Vue have completed their septet for 2018 with the return of Australian star Max Fricke.
The former World Under-21 Champion is back for his fourth season with the Aces, who have reached the top-flight play-offs in each of his campaigns in Manchester so far.
Fricke said: “It looks like we’ve got another solid-looking team this year with a couple of new guys thrown in. There’s a lot to look forward to.
“I’m especially happy with the fact that we’ve got set race nights this year. I feel I missed too many fixtures in the past due to clashes so I’m really looking forward to being able to get stuck in 100 per cent.
“There’s no reason why we can’t shake off this crux of finishing second-best this year. We’ve made the play offs every season since 2015 and I feel this time around we’ve got a good shot at top spot.”
