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LAKESIDE have signed British duo Richard Lawson and Edward Kennett to leave them needing just one more team member for 2015.Lawson has won the Hammers’ Rider of the Year award in both of his previous campaigns at Purfleet, whilst Kennett is back in the Elite League on one of his favourite circuits after an early-season spell with Birmingham last year.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “We are pleased to be able to have Richard back here after two great seasons and look forward to watching him develop further as a bona fide Elite League star.“The chance to work with Eddie was too good to pass up given his great form not just at Arena but also in his guest appearances for Poole last year where we saw his true potential in this League. We are sure that with our support Ed will be back to the heat leader form he's shown previously.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON have confirmed they have agreed a deal which will see Polish star Tobiasz Musielak join the club for the 2015 Elite League season. Club bosses Chris Van Straaten and Peter Adams flew out to Poland to hold talks with the 21-year-old, where terms were quickly agreed between both parties. Said Van Straaten: “We're thrilled we have finally managed to agree terms with Tobiasz and we're sure he will prove hugely popular with the Wolverhampton fans.“We've been holding talks for a couple of weeks now, but myself and Peter were desperate to secure his signature and that's why we made it a priority to fly out to Poland and hold talks with Tobiasz in person. He's a really entertaining rider and he's a really exciting prospect.”
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PETERBOROUGH have given Carl Johnson the green light to continue as team manager.New club chief Ged Rathbone confirmed local man Johnson, a former Panthers supporter, rider and machine examiner, will be in charge of team affairs in 2015 after stepping in midway through the last campaign, and an advisor may also be appointed.Rathbone said: “We had some very interesting applications for the position of team manager - including some from people currently in positions in the Elite League - given we have never advertised the post.“But we feel Carl is the right man for the job. He has Peterborough Speedway at heart and is well-liked by the fans. I don't think some riders gave him the respect he deserved after he took the role on during last season, but that certainly won't be an issue in 2015 with him in position from day one and able to stamp his authority on things.”
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SHEFFIELD have confirmed the return of Ty Proctor as the final member of their 2015 side. Proctor saw his 2014 season cut short by injury just as he began to find some form, so the 27-year-old Australian will be back with a point to prove, and he opted for a return to Owlerton ahead of an Elite League spot with parent club Wolverhampton.He said: “I felt like I was going in the right direction at Sheffield before I got injured again last season, so I just want to try and pick up where I left off in that regard.“I won’t be doubling up this year, and I had to make the choice between Wolves and Sheffield in the end but I’m delighted to be at Owlerton again. I’m really looking forward to the new season, and I’m just focused on trying to move forward and put the last couple of years behind me.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
BIRMINGHAM have swooped to make Cradley star Tom Perry their third signing for the club’s new era next March.The signing will add spice to the rivalry between the two clubs, who will both be racing home meetings at Perry Barr Stadium at National League level next season.Said Perry: “I had a feeling my average wouldn’t fit at Cradley and they gave me permission to talk to Birmingham as soon as the AGM finished last week.“It’s nice to be fixed up and I’m really excited about the Brummies team. It’s shaping up nicely. A lot of people are going to say we’re top heavy but if the management can pull off a few of the signings they’ve got in mind to go with the three of us (Perry, Adam Ellis, Zach Wajtknecht) then I think we’ve got a really good chance of being in contention at the end of the season.”
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STOKE have secured deals for two new signings for the 2015 National League season as Danny Phillips and Ryan Terry-Daley join the Potters.Both rode in the Grand Final last season with Phillips having been part of Cradley’s title-winning side, whilst Terry-Daley was with runners-up Coventry.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “These are very ambitious lads who want to ride for the Potters - the initial contact in both cases came from them and we are pleased to have them with us. To be honest I was very surprised that either of them was available and I am delighted that we have secured their services. “This shows the impact of the 36-point limit and the opportunities created for rookies at the reserve end of teams allowing riders of a little more experience to improve their knowledge in a new environment. I am sure that these two riders will endear themselves to the Stoke public who are always welcoming to newcomers.”
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BUXTON star Adam Extance is to return to the Hitmen next season after an impressive debut campaign in the sport.Extance has been racing speedway for less than a year but moved out of the reserve berths at the Hi-Edge Raceway in 2014 and finished the season third in the club’s averages.Buxton promoter Jayne Moss said: “We are delighted to have Adam back for another season. He had received offers from other clubs but after considering his options felt that returning to Buxton was the right way to go to help him to continue the progress he made in his debut year. “He knows there is no pressure from us and he can just get on with riding his bike. I'm sure he will build on his performances from last season and establish himself as a heat leader next year.”
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COVENTRY Storm have signed Rob Shuttleworth as the Barrow-based rider moves from Stoke for his second National League season.Shuttleworth averaged 3.75 in his debut campaign and becomes the second new face in the line-up at Brandon alongside Darryl Ritchings.Manager Laurence Rogers said: “With a more restrictive limit, there were certain riders who we’d flagged up who would possibly fit in, and as it was Rob actually contacted us about joining, and we took things from there.“I feel Rob is a rider who could blossom in the right atmosphere, and we will have that atmosphere for him. He’s looking forward to joining a top club, and from our point of view it’s another asset who wants to ride for the Storm and who will fit into our set-up.”
