SOMERSET will begin their 2012 season with a visit from Elite League Swindon, who will include Grand Prix star Hans Andersen.
The Rebels will visit Blunsdon on March 22 before welcoming the Robins to the Oak Tree Arena the following evening, reviving memories of a fierce rivalry when the clubs raced in the same league.
Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “We are very excited about opening our 2012 season with these matches and would like to thank Gary Patchett and Alun Rossiter at Swindon for helping to make it possible.
“Swindon will be bringing their full Elite League team to the Oaktree and will therefore include Hans Andersen, as well as the likes of Troy Batchelor and Simon Stead, with the Rebels septet boosted with the inclusion of an Elite League guest rider at No.1 in order to ‘even’ things up a bit.”
SHEFFIELD have confirmed the signing of Californian star Ricky Wells for the 2012 season.
Wells arrives at Owlerton as one of several new faces in a revamped Tigers team for the new Premier League campaign, and will double-up with Elite League Wolverhampton after impressing with the Monmore Green side this year.
Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: “Ricky’s a great racer and he knows this is a chance to make his mark in the Premier League. If he keeps up his progression then he’ll certainly become a solid heat-leader and could go on to knock on the No.1 door.“He’s on a six-point average and there is no doubt he is capable of adding at least a point to that.”
BERWICK have pulled off the signing of 18-year-old Frenchman David Bellego – who will become the first rider of that nationality to appear for the club.Bellego impressed during a spell with Premier League champions Glasgow in the closing stages of the 2011 season, and the Bandits are delighted to bring him to Shielfield Park.
Club boss John Anderson said: “He joins us as a reserve on an assessed average of just five points per match, but he was turning in higher scores for the Tigers such as his 13+3 points against Newport and 12+4 against Edinburgh. I’m confident he might not be a reserve too long.
“The other point in favour of his joining us is that David will be added to our roster of club assets, which is something we are anxious to encourage whenever possible.”
SCUNTHORPE’S National League team manager Stuart Parnaby has signed up two more of the country’s hot prospects for his 2012 side.
With club promoter Rob Godfrey having committed the Saints to a two-year development plan Parnaby has been able to secure the signing of 15-year old Daniel Phillips from Middlesbrough and 14-year old Max Clegg from Brighouse.
Parnaby said: “We would have been disappointed if we hadn’t been able to sign Max. He’s been part of the family here for a long time now so to see him line-up in opposition would have been a bitter pill to swallow.
“Danny is another who is under-going a steep learning curve but he has come on so far in such a short space of time there is no doubt he will be ready for the National League when the season starts.”
TEENAGER Brandon Freemantle could miss the entire 2012 season after suffering a broken femur in a road accident.
Freemantle, who was set to join the Isle of Wight in the National League, was involved in a collision with a car when on his moped, and has now had his femur pinned and screwed.
Islanders co-promoter Kevin Shepherd said: “We're gutted for the lad and his family, he's had a year in this league which was a very sharp learning curve for him. They were looking forward to joining us on the Island as we were at having them.
“We wish Brandon well, and as soon as he is fit he is very much part of the Island’s thoughts. As soon as he is able to get back on a bike he is more than welcome to give us a call and come over to the Island and have some practice spins.”
