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POOLE have confirmed Australian duo Chris Holder and Davey Watt are to complete the line-up for their Elite League defence.Former World Champion Holder and Watt, who will re-assume the club captaincy having won four league titles in Pirates colours, have been selected from the heat-leader list by promoter Matt Ford, and they join Kyle Newman as returnees from 2015.Ford said: “Both riders have that winning mentality and know what it takes to be a Poole rider. For sure, by his own high standards, Chris perhaps didn't have the best of seasons last year but many tend to forget that he has been enduring a tough time fighting back to full fitness after a spate of serious injuries.“Both showed unprecedented resolve after the shocking news with Darcy (Ward) last August and I totally admired the manner in which they picked the club up whilst also showing great passion and support for their stricken buddy.“It is pretty clear to me that Poole Speedway runs through their veins, I am delighted to have them both back for 2016 and I know for sure that they will mastermind the drive for a fourth successive league title.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SCUNTHORPE have completed their 2016 line-up with the signing of talented teenager Josh Bailey at reserve.Bailey made great strides with King’s Lynn Young Stars in the National League last season and will now take the Scorpions’ No.7 berth under the new regulation which ensures all PL clubs track an NL-eligible 3.00 rider in that position.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Josh comes very highly recommended from Dale Allitt at King's Lynn. We looked at his scores in the second half of 2015, and it's clear he's come on a bundle and is ready to be given a shot at Premier League racing.“He deserves a chance and we're delighted to give it to him. King's Lynn is a flat-out track like our own Eddie Wright Raceway, and if he's learnt the fastest way around the Norfolk Arena, then he'll be fine around Scunthorpe as well.”
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ISLE of Wight chiefs Martin Widman and Barry Bishop have spoken of their delight to see the club back in the National League.The Smallbrook Stadium outfit will return to the sport following a two-year absence after their application for the Warriors to join the third tier was accepted at Wednesday’s AGM.Director of Operations Widman said: “I'm absolutely delighted that the Wight Warriors have been accepted back into the National League which justifies all the hard work put in over the last two years, supported by loyal supporters on the Island and then with my business partner Barry.“I would like to thank the NL promoters for having faith in our plans to re-introduce speedway back on the Island and with this decision, the management team can now push ahead with even more plans to ensure a positive outcome next year.”
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CRADLEY have announced the return of skipper Max Clegg for the 2016 National League campaign.Clegg will be going into his fourth season with the Heathens and is set to race in all three leagues as he also has team places with Wolverhampton and Edinburgh.He said: “I always wanted to be back with Cradley - even more so when I knew they were moving back to Monmore. It's a track I go well on and riding there every Monday with Wolverhampton in the Elite League as well should do me the world of good.“Racing in all three leagues is going to be something new for me but I'm confident I'm going to have a really good year with all my teams.”(SPEEDWAY 5)
NATHAN Greaves will race in new National League colours in 2016 after agreeing a deal with King's Lynn. The 17-year-old suffered a serious leg injury which cut his campaign short earlier this year, and he now becomes the first confirmed signing for the Young Stars after three seasons with Cradley.Said Greaves: “This year wasn’t that great and definitely not a confidence booster, but that is one of the reasons why I wanted to join King’s Lynn. I feel like I can build my confidence back up and have a good year, I am really looking forward to it.“Coming back from such a big injury I feel I need a fresh start with King’s Lynn. I really enjoyed my time at Cradley and I can’t thank the fans enough - they were all very good to me, but now is the time for a fresh challenge.”
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MILDENHALL have named 20-year-old Robert Parker as their fifth signing for the 2016 National League season.Parker had occasional outings as Birmingham’s No.8 this year and also raced regularly at West Row in the Midland Development League for MK Knights.Fen Tigers chief Kevin Jolly said: “Rob was showing plenty of promise last season but he unfortunately broke his thumb at a time when I was looking to give him a run with us. He is a rider I have had in mind for one of the reserve berths and with the way this coming season’s team is being built he should have longer than our reserves did last season to settle into the side in one of the reserve berths. “I have every confidence in him, he certainly has plenty of potential and Robert (Henry) and I will give him all the support he needs to help him succeed. He will also have Jon Armstrong’s massive experience to call in the pits, which can only be a bonus for Rob.
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SWINDON’S Abbey Stadium operators Stadia UK have revealed July is the realistic target for the club’s new stadium to be ready for action.Robins owner Terry Russell this week updated worried fans to assure them the Elite League outfit will be at the tapes in 2016 and racing the first half of their home meetings in their existing facility.Stadia UK confirmed initial hopes were of construction starting before Christmas on the new site, adjacent to the current Abbey track, but unexpected delays have been brought about by the design of noise attenuation structures and utility services. The detailed plans (reserved matters) are now expected to be submitted before Christmas with construction work commencing as soon as the plans have been approved.George Edwards, Property Director at Stadia UK said: "We will be submitting the reserved matters application this month and we hope to be ready for the first customers sometime in July 2016. “We have received great support from Swindon Council and our team have worked very hard to ensure that the changeover from the existing to the new facility is smooth and easy for our customers. There will be disruption during the process but our aim is to keep this to a minimum.”
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BRENDAN Johnson and James Cockle have been named as the first signings for the Isle of Wight’s return to National League racing in 2016.Johnson is a former team member at the Smallbrook Stadium whilst Cockle joins after spending recent campaigns with King’s Lynn.Cockle said: “To be part of the Warriors is a move I never thought would ever come round after the track closed but I have always loved racing at the island as an away rider and always had good scores there.“It's nice, big and fast around there and they are the tracks I like. It's a new team and I knew I wanted a change of club and I am really very excited about new team, the Islands first year back under new management and what the future holds. Bring on 2016.”Johnson said: “To be back with the Isle of Wight Warriors is exciting, the Island is where I call my ‘home’ in speedway terms and with what the new promotion are doing I can only see this partnership going one way, and that’s to the top of the league in 2016! "After a year away from the sport, I am hungrier than ever to establish myself as the top rider in the NL with aspirations of getting back to the PL at some point in the campaign.”
