(SPEEDWAY 1)
NEWCASTLE have completed their 2012 line-up with the signing of 21-year-old Swede Ludvig Lindgren.Lindgren has raced in the Elite League for Wolverhampton in the last two seasons and also had a spell in the second half of this year with the Diamonds’ close rivals Berwick.Co-promoter Darryl Illingworth said: “Ludvig spent two years racing against the very best riders in the world every week in the Elite League with Wolverhampton, and we consider ourselves pretty fortunate to have obtained his agreement to line up at Brough Park in time for the 2012 season.“Ludvig slots perfectly into our side and adds a good deal of points scoring power to what is already a team bristling with potential from the vast experience of Mark Lemon, Stuart Robson and Christian Henry plus the exciting youthful enthusiasm of the Worrall twins, Richie and Steve and Dane Claes Nedermark.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
FORMER World Champion Gary Havelock will go into his 28th season in the sport having agreed to continue as captain of Redcar next year.Havelock, who won gold at the 1992 World Final, is back for a seventh campaign with the Bears, whose final team position has gone to German rider Max Dilger who previously rode for Edinburgh.Club chief Brian Havelock said: “Max was the final piece of the jigsaw. He joins us on a three-point average but I'm confident that he can increase that. “With Gary being based locally he has decided to prolong his star-studded career with the Bears for at least one more season.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
LAKESIDE’S Rider of the Year Robert Mear is a confirmed starter for the Hammers in 2012.Mear made a successful return to the sport after a year out and joins new signing Davey Watt at Purfleet, with the club expected to announce the remainder of their line-up early in the New Year.Owner Stuart Douglas said: “We have really taken our time this year to analyse in detail the options open to us. There have been some interesting conundrums for us to solve, in terms of averages and team dynamic. “No one really knows what next year is going to bring regarding the pound in our pockets, but I am really happy that we have put together a team that will not only satisfy the Hammers faithful, but provide enough on track entertainment to entice those who are the occasional fan to turn out and support the team more regularly.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
RICKY Wells has agreed a deal to stay with Wolverhampton for a second successive season.Wells will double-up from a Premier League club and he is currently in talks to finalise a contract to race at that level.Club owner Chris Van Straaten said: “We’re delighted to have Ricky on board once again and we feel he made great strides last season.“He comes back to us on a relatively low average but after working with him for a season we feel there is more to come.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
STOKE skipper Tony Atkin will be back to lead the Potters’ National League challenge next season.45-year-old Atkin achieved a 7.84 average in his first year back at Loomer Road when the club went close to major team honours, and he joins Ashley Birks, Richie Worrall and Jaimie Pickard in a strong top four.Potters promoter Dave Tattum said: “Tony is a very enthusiastic character and was a superb captain last season, and has the same commitment and desire to win things. “He has huge amounts of experience and I’m sure he will be a great help with the younger members of the team next season.”
