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BELLE Vue have snapped up Australian youngster Max Fricke to complete their 2015 team-building.Fricke was a Premier League title winner with Edinburgh last season and now steps up to the top-flight after several impressive guest appearances, with a full transfer to the Aces being considered.CEO Chris Morton said: “We’ve always been impressed with how Max performs and he does all of his talking on the track, and that’s something which Belle Vue have kept a keen eye on.“I know George [Carswell] in particular has been very eager to get into discussions with him, and towards the end of the season he opened up negotiations with Edinburgh.“There’s been a lot of interest surrounding Max from other clubs for next year, but fortunately for us he really wanted to come to Manchester so we’ve taken full advantage of that.”(SPEEDWAY 2)

PLYMOUTH have handed Sam Simota a return to the St Boniface Arena next season.The Czech Republic rider finished the 2014 campaign in strong form at reserve for the Devils, putting his average just above the six-point mark, and he becomes the club’s fifth signing.Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “Although Sam had previous experience in British speedway, last season was his first in this country for six years.“So it meant that a number of tracks were new to him and he needed to get back to the pace of Premier League speedway. Even so, he finished the season in style and we look forward to even more success from Sam next year.”

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BIRMINGHAM have pulled off a major signing by snapping up talented British teenager Adam Ellis to spearhead their assault on the National League title.Ellis, 18, burst onto the scene with the Isle of Wight and Ipswich in 2013 and he now returns to the NL whilst continuing with parent club Lakeside as an Elite Draft Rider.He said: “It’s an honour to be riding for a club like Birmingham, it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to and I’m really pleased the opportunity came along.“Obviously I had a year out of the National League last year, but I’m excited to be coming back and getting to lead a team as No.1 which I didn’t get to do last time. Hopefully I can have a good season and score plenty of points to help make sure Birmingham are challenging towards the top of the table.”(SPEEDWAY 4)

EASTBOURNE have made Brendan Johnson their second signing for their debut National League campaign in 2015.The 2010 British Under-18 Champion is based on the South coast in Poole and spent last season with Mildenhall, but is familiar with Arlington and has attended Sunday practice sessions this winter.Johnson said: “I used to ride there as a junior, week in week out, when I was on a 125cc bike, so I know the place. So when it gets down to the racing and hard lines I know I can do the job.“I feel over the moon to be at Arlington. I am here to put the experience into play this year and push on from that.”

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KING’S Lynn have announced a return for James Cockle next season as the No.1 rider for their National League team.Cockle took over the Young Stars’ captaincy last year and will head up the side with Tom Stokes, whilst Josh Bailey and Ryan Kinsley have also been named as signings for 2015.Manager Dale Allitt said: “James had a good end to the season for us and was scoring well. He found confidence in his engines and I believe that he can get even better next season.“Our thanks go to James's parent club Glasgow for their co-operation in completing the deal. I knew I wanted James back soon after last season finished and I am pleased we have been able to do that.”

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STOKE have named evergreen Jon Armstrong as club captain for the 2015 National League season.The 40-year-old finished top of the Potters’ averages last season and will return to Loomer Road with the club confirming their intention to run despite extensive damage caused by a recent vandalism attack at the stadium.Promoter Dave Tattum said: “Jon is a massive part of what we are trying to achieve at Stoke, he is an immense man in all respects leading from the front and always mindful of his own riders and equally those of other teams if they should suffer the misfortune of injury during a match, and he is known throughout the sport for the absolute genuine person that he is. “He has told me that he leads the team with pride and this is demonstrated every time he takes to the track. I welcome him back with open arms and the new 36-point limit that has been set by the League will almost certainly see Jon ride at No.1 in a re-vamped side.”