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BELLE Vue boss Jason Attwood says he is delighted with the Aces’ winter signing of Scott Nicholls.The seven-times British Champion has moved to the Manchester club on loan from Coventry and Attwood feels he will also have a positive influence on other members of the side.Attwood said: “Scott is someone I’ve always wanted to work with, and to see him riding in Aces colours is such a fantastic buzz. A few people have commented that he had a bad year last year, but if a bad year nets you an average of 7.19 then imagine the kind of heights he can achieve on a good year!“I feel sure there will be some healthy competition between the British boys, I think Craig (Cook) and Richie (Worrall) will be looking to push Scott as much as Scott will be looking to push them.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
EASTBOURNE manager Trevor Geer says the door is not closed on riders who have been unable to secure a place in the Eagles’ 2014 team.Simon Gustafsson, Timo Lahti and Lukas Dryml were all left out of the Arlington club’s plans, with Gustafsson subsequently joining Swindon, but Geer is not ruling out returns for any of the trio in the future.He said: “It’s a family atmosphere at Eastbourne and it has been a very difficult job for Bob Dugard and myself to choose the team. The points limit and the new rules regarding reserves changed the team-building rules completely.“The door has not been closed on any of these riders returning to Arlington. Naturally, we wish them well and thank them for their efforts for Eastbourne Speedway in the past.”
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WOLVERHAMPTON youngster Ashley Morris says mixing it with the best riders in the world will be a massive plus for him in 2014.Morris will race for his hometown club as part of the new system which sees two British youngsters at reserve in every top-flight team.He said: “Obviously having some of the best riders in the country around and offering advice on set-ups and stuff is going to be a big help for us.“Having those much more experienced guys on hand will definitely help all of us younger guys to progress, so it’s going to be good for all of us. It’s going to be a great experience and even though it’s a big challenge I just can’t wait for the start of the season so I can get going.”
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DOUBLE British Under-19 Champion Stefan Nielsen has joined Coventry Storm for the 2014 National League season.Nielsen won the second of his titles at Brandon last September and will take the No.1 position with the Storm, re-establishing a long-standing link with team co-boss Laurence Rogers.Said Rogers: “Stefan was my mascot at King’s Lynn, I’ve always got on with him and his Dad, and Stefan had always said he was going to come and ride for me one day!“He won the Under-19s at Coventry the first time he saw the track, and he’s chuffed to bits to be here. He’s got himself sorted out with workshops professionally done and having a mechanic on board, so he’s very well set up for the season ahead.”
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SOMERSET have moved for Swedish rider Pontus Aspgren in a change to the original team plans for the defending Premier League Champions.Aspgren, who started his British career with Wolverhampton in 2012 and had a successful spell with Rye House this year, replaces Nick Morris after confirmation of a 5.00 average for Australian newcomer Brady Kurtz.Rebels boss Garry May said: “The deciding factor that went against Nick as opposed to the other options available to me was the number of matches he could be missing for Somerset when he was required to ride for Swindon, his Elite League club. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do when informing Nick that he was no longer a part of the 2014 team.“Ironically, Pontus contacted the club a few weeks ago to enquire about the possibility of a team place with the Rebels for next season, only to be told at that stage that we had our septet sorted out. He is keen to come to Somerset and I am sure that he will do an excellent job for us.”(SPEEDWAY 6)
RYE House promoter Len Silver was relieved he had made an unscheduled visit to Hoddesdon – as a major problem with the circuit drainage was discovered.Silver was called back from his French Alpine home and found the track completely under water, this being traced to a burned-out electrical junction which prevented the pumping system from working.Silver said: “My trip back to England was totally unscheduled, as was my visit to the stadium, and had either of these events not happened the track would have been under water for the whole winter to cause irreparable damage. “Then to discover the source of the problem by sheer chance enforces my view that my Guardian Angel has looked after me yet again.”(FIXTURE)
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29:CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Coventry 12pm
