(SPEEDWAY 1)

STOKE star Ben Reade has paid tribute to the late Lee Richardson for playing a part in his rapid rise up the National League rankings in 2012.Reade added over four points to his average in a breakthrough year, and says pre-season help from Richardson and further assistance from former Eastbourne ace Martin Dugard have proved highly beneficial.Reade said: My sponsor Thames Valley Roofing and Lee hired out the Scunthorpe and Kings Lynn tracks for us to get some laps in, and Lee was absolutely fantastic. I never thought that any top World class rider would want to help a bottom end National League rider like myself out, but Lee wanted to help me and taught me a lot of things on and off the track. It was a great privilege and an honour to have Lee help me over the winter, and it has improved me so much as a rider.

(SPEEDWAY 2)

DUDLEY have swooped to make impressive teenager Max Clegg their first signing for their 2013 National League challenge.Clegg, who turns 16 in April, made an impressive start to his competitive career this year, averaging 4.54 for Scunthorpe having finished runner-up in the 2011 British Youth Championship as a 14-year-old.Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson said: Max had some excellent meetings for Scunthorpe and he has learnt his trade on their small training track so we fully expect him to settle in quickly at Monmore Green.Hes got a very tidy style and claimed some notable scalps in his debut season at the age of 15. He gives us a very solid start to our team building which will result in a new-look side.