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BELLE Vue have agreed a two-year contract with skipper Scott Nicholls as the Aces plan for 2015 and beyond.The seven-time British Champion was a huge hit with management and fans at Kirkmanshulme Lane this year, and the club intend for Nicholls to lead them into their planned move to the National Speedway Stadium in 2016.CEO David Gordon said: “Scott has become a Belle Vue rider through and through in the short time he's been with us, and is a real credit to the club in how he conducts himself both on and off the track.“Not only is he a brilliant athlete and thoroughly entertainingly watch, he's a professional who is so accommodating of the fans and how he relates to them. He's the full package, so when he expressed an interest in staying with us for the upcoming seasons we opened up talks with him right away.“We're delighted to have him on board with us for the next two years. We want to be a successful club as we go into the era of the new stadium and we are confident he can help deliver that.”
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COVENTRY have signed Great Britain international Danny King as they close in their full line-up for the 2015 Elite League season.King becomes the fifth name on the Bees’ team-sheet having ridden for local rivals Birmingham over the last four years, although he then saw out the last campaign with Lakeside after the Brummies folded in mid-season.Promoter Mick Horton said: “I’m really pleased that in our discussions Danny made it clear he always wanted to ride for Coventry, because he had offers from three or four clubs. “He could have moved to us last winter but missed out because of the averages, but this year we’ve managed to do the deal and we’re really pleased, and so is he. Danny is another heat-leader who is capable of beating anyone, and he’s a popular British rider who gives 100 per cent.”
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WORKINGTON have added a fourth Dane to their team for 2015 with the signing of Michael Palm Toft on loan from Scunthorpe.The 24-year-old spent last season in the Elite League with Belle Vue, and was recommended to the Comets by his Aces team-mate and former Workington man Craig Cook.Co-promoter Steve Whitehead said: “There had been some queries about Michael’s average, which would have been converted to 7.28 for the Premier League based on his 2014 performances with Belle Vue. But, when Craig Cook mentioned that he felt he would do a great job in the Premier League based on his Elite League performances, and we received confirmation that his average would be the 2013 figure of 4.92, we started to talk to Michael.“In the end it was quite an easy deal to do. Michael is very keen to join us and team up with the other Danes, and in acquiring his services we feel that we’ve bagged a rider on what looks like a bargain average.”
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PREMIER League Champions Edinburgh have signed 17-year-old British youngster Max Clegg to fill a reserve position next season.Clegg, who won the National League with Cradley this year, made three guest appearances at Armadale and hopes he can learn from that experience.He said: “All the fans were great, I spoke to a few of them on the Edinburgh Monarchs page. I was really surprised how many of them congratulated me even though I didn’t get many points, I was happy about that.“Once I’ve settled down with the team and management I will I think have a good year, not for myself, but for the fans and especially the management, John (Campbell) and the others in the Edinburgh promotion. I was surprised they still wanted me after I didn’t score many last year, but they are giving me the chance again so that’s why I want to do well for them.”
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RYE House have put former favourite Andrew Silver in charge of their National League team for the 2015 season.Silver, son of promoter Len, is expected to include several promising teenagers recruited from the track’s Sunday training schools as the Raiders plan their return to the third tier.Len Silver said: “Andrew will be attending the National League promoters’ meeting at Rugby on the 9th, and I can tell you he is already looking forward to challenging Eastbourne ‘new boy’ Martin Dugard – a long-time contemporary and racing friend – to produce the better team.“Those actually chosen for the team will be the pick of this winter’s trainees - and several are already looking good prospects.”
