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EASTBOURNE have confirmed the return to Arlington of four-time World Longtrack Champion Joonas Kylmakorpi.The Finn sat out the first half of the 2013 Elite League season before joining Peterborough, but will now be back in Eagles colours full-time.Manager Trevor Geer said: “Supporters can see we are building a strong team. A spearhead of Bjarne (Pedersen), Joonas and Cam (Woodward) will certainly pack a punch. We have worked hard to bring Joonas in and this is excellent news for the Eagles“Joonas was keen to come and help us last season but fixture clashes made it impossible. As a result, we were pleased to let him go on loan to Peterborough after he decided he wished to resume his British career.”
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GLASGOW have completed a double swoop for German star Kevin Wolbert and French youngster Dimitri Berge.Wolbert, who was with Belle Vue in the Elite League this year, will race for the Tigers after a previous spell with great rivals Edinburgh.Co-promoter Colin Hamilton said: “This is a terrific signing for the club, and we are clearly delighted to have signed up Kevin as our new No.1 for next season. I’m certain he will prove to be an invaluable addition to Glasgow Speedway.”16-year-old Berge, meanwhile, arrives at Ashfield after interest from several other Premier League clubs following strong displays at junior level.Co-promoter Alan Dick said: “Such is the interest in the lad given his performances and obvious talent on a motorcycle that I firmly believe this signing is potentially one of the biggest in the club's history.”
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KEVIN Doolan has sealed a return to his first Premier League club by agreeing a 2014 deal with Berwick.The 33-year-old Australian rode for the Bandits in 2002 and enjoyed plenty of success in domestic racing over the following decade. He moves to Shielfield Park on loan from Ipswich after racing for Leicester this year.Co-promoter Ryan Anderson said: “Kevin has always been so welcome here, either as a guest for us or as an opponent. It was time for him to come home!“Two KO Cup winners medals and two Premier Fours titles stand alongside his having been both a Premier Trophy winner and Premier League champion in 2006. I think Kevin, and our Bandits, can look forward to this being a very happy return.”
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IPSWICH have named Ritchie Hawkins as their new captain for the 2014 Premier League season.Hawkins, who came into the Witches side early this year as a replacement for Jari Makinen, takes over from Leigh Lanham who was released from the Foxhall club’s plans earlier in the winter.Director of Speedway Chris Louis said: “Asking Ritchie to take on the captain’s role was a no-brainer for me. As a well-liked and respected member of last season’s squad and being the oldest in the team it felt right that he should be offered the position. “Richie Worrall and Morten Risager were both considered, but for differing reasons I would like to leave them to get on with their respective jobs and I’m very comfortable putting Ritchie in charge, I know he’ll do a fabulous job.”
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CRADLEY have named Steve Worrall as the first signing for their defence of the National League title next year.Worrall will be racing in all three leagues having also joined Swindon and Edinburgh and says the support-base of the Heathens, who have reverted to their former name after four years as Dudley, was a key factor in his decision to join.He said: “I’d say every single rider at this level wants to be riding there because there is nowhere else with the track, the set-up and the fans like they’ve got.“Every week you know you’ll have however many hundreds of fans going crazy in the background which every rider wants, and I’m really happy I’ll be part of that next year.”
