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THE third annual reception for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Motorcycle Speedway took place in Westminster on Wednesday.The event attracted its’ highest attendance yet, with representatives from across the sport present along with MPs from both sides of the house, with speeches from Rt Hon Nick Brown MP (Chairman) and Mark Pawsey MP (Secretary) opening the proceedings.Elite League, Premier League and National League Achievement Awards were presented to Colin Pratt, Len Silver (accepted on his behalf by new BSPA Chairman Keith Chapman) and Tony Mole respectively, with outgoing BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess receiving the Special Award.Brown said: “We continue to gain support from a number of MPs who represent speedway venues in their constituency and those who are fans.“Members of Parliament are territorial people - we defend out constituencies and promote the assets they have.“The success of the Parliamentary Speedway Group shows how many MPs value the speedway venues, teams and supporters up and down the country.“We want to thank all the management, promoters, riders, sponsors and supporters who keep speedway going, to congratulate you all on the 2015 season, and to send our best wishes for the forthcoming year.”
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POOLE have handed a return to Kyle Newman for the 2016 campaign where he will line-up with Adam Ellis at reserve.Newman will be entering his third successive full season with the reigning Elite League champions while Ellis replaces Paul Starke after impressing for Lakeside.Pirates boss Matt Ford said: “In Kyle and Adam we have two very talented reserves who can both make a mark and a stride towards being main team members and I would expect both to be doing so. “Every season when you build a side you often have to lose riders who you would have preferred not to. In our case this season it is Paul who was terrific with us in 2015 and a real joy to work with and I am very sorry that we could not accommodate him for a second term.”
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STEVE Worrall will be returning to Belle Vue for a second consecutive season as one of their two reserves for the 2016 Elite League campaign.The 24-year-old played a vital role in helping the Aces secure an end-of-season play-off spot in 2015.Belle Vue boss Chris Morton said: “The potential he’s displayed throughout the last twelve months has been extremely encouraging and we are confident there is much more to come from him as we go forward into the new stadium.“His attitude and his professionalism are spot on, and he never gives anything less than 100 per cent in every meeting he races. He is very much a part of the vision we have for the future of this club.”
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GLASGOW have announced Aaron Summers as the first member of their 2016 septet.The 27-year-old enjoyed a successful year with the Ashfield outfit in 2015 after signing on a full transfer last winter.The Australian was voted the Tigers' Home and Away Rider of the Year last season and team manager Stewart Dickson is delighted to have Summers back on board.Said Dickson: “Aaron is always very professional, does what he's asked and I'm looking forward to working with him again next season.“I actually think there's more to come; I still think he can kick on and he's a rider I'm looking to put half-a-point or so onto his average.”
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SCUNTHORPE have named Eddie Wright Raceway track specialist Taylor Poole as their second planned signing for the 2016 season.Poole is set to return to British speedway after a year’s absence, the signing being dependent upon the Australian gaining a work permit by finishing in the top four of his state championship.Scorpions chief Rob Godfrey said: “The lad was unfortunate at Sheffield at 2014. He was starting to absolutely fly for the Tigers, but then suffered a broken leg that not only put him on the sidelines and stopped his chance of reaching a 7.00 figure that season, but also prevented him from riding in his Australian state championship to get back in.“As for the work permit situation, I don't want our fans to worry too much about it, because I'm confident he can clear that hurdle. He's perfectly capable of finishing in the top four of his state championship.”
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SEBASTIAN Alden is to return to British racing with Berwick next year.The Swede, who turns 30 this weekend, has been absent from this country since spells with the Bandits and King’s Lynn in 2013, and he heads back to Shielfield Park on a 7.37 average.Co-promoter George Hepburn said: “Seb had virtually retired from speedway, even in his homeland. But when we heard he was racing again, and scoring big points, in the latter months of this year, we obviously took note. “He raced in eight meetings over there and did very well. Clearly, there are still plenty of points in him. Contact was made, and there was no question that Seb Alden was ready to come back to Berwick.”
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WORKINGTON have announced Matt Williamson as their three-point British rider at reserve for next season.Williamson spent the second half of the 2015 campaign with the Comets and now joins Ricky Wells and Kenneth Hansen as confirmed starters at Derwent Park, whilst also becoming a Wolverhampton asset following two successful National League years with Cradley.Williamson said: “As soon as the season ended I knew that I wanted to be back at Workington. I felt that in the short time I had been there I had gelled with the lads in the team and the fans. I get on well with the promotion and I love the track; I prefer big tracks and Derwent Park really suits me.“I soon became friends with Ricky and Kenneth and them being back there next season too is great news as I feel that I can learn from them. They were really good to me last year and taught me lots of things so hopefully that can continue next season.”
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BRITISH Youth Champion Jack Parkinson-Blackburn is the first rider to put pen-to-paper with Birmingham for the 2016 season.The talented 15-year-old has agreed a deal with the reigning National League champions after impressing while appearing for the club in three of their final four meetings of the campaign.Brummies promoter Graham Drury said: “From the first time we saw him, Jack was one rider we knew we wanted to get on board with us at Birmingham and it’s absolutely brilliant to have him as our first signing.“Jack and his granddad were really positive about everything to do with Birmingham and he cannot wait to ride for us on a permanent basis next year.”
