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LAKESIDE have snapped up Swedish racer Dennis Jonsson to fill the newly-created No.8 role in their 2016 squad.The Hammers have moved to bring in Jonsson, the son of former World Champion Per, for the position which enables him to replace any rider in the main body of the side during the season.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: “We're very excited to be working with Dennis at this early stage of his international career and delighted he chose the Hammers as the best place to start his British career. “The No.8 is the brainchild of Matt Ford and will allow Elite League teams that wish to, to start blooding young talent from overseas.”
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PETERBOROUGH captain Ulrich Ostergaard will welcome Danish great Hans Nielsen to the Showground for his Testimonial meeting on March 13.And the 56-year-old, who won four individual World titles including the first under the Grand Prix format in 1995, will be taking to the Alwalton circuit to complete demonstration laps for what is likely to be the last time on British soil.Ostergaard said: “To have Hans involved in my meeting is amazing and I’m very proud that he is prepared to come over to England for it.“He is someone I have looked up to ever since I started to watch speedway as a child. He is ‘The Professor’ and was always so good and so clever on the bike.“I was so honoured to ride in his farewell in Brovst in 1999 and be part of my hero’s final meeting. I also had the honour of riding with him in one Superleague meeting in Denmark that same year, which was incredible.”
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HANS Andersen and Andreas Jonsson have completed the line-up for Belle Vue’s opening meeting at the new National Speedway Stadium.The Aces launch their new era with the Peter Craven Memorial Trophy on March 19, with Jonsson accepting a call-up to replace Chris Holder who has commitments in Poland with Torun.Belle Vue chief Chris Morton said: “We're delighted to see this event has attracted so many riders of GP calibre, and we're very pleased to bring Hans on board to complete our grand opening line-up.“It's unfortunate for us and for Chris that he's unable to join us in March but he has commitments in Poland which he needs to honour and we of course fully understand this.“We couldn't have asked for a better substitute than Andreas Jonsson though. We have always rated him highly but his performance for us at the end of last year was simply quite exceptional.”
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WORKINGTON have been boosted by the return of main team sponsors Thomas Armstrong Limited for a tenth successive season.Company CEO Keith Denham sold the Comets to current owner Laura Morgan at the end of the 2012 campaign but has retained his involvement in sponsoring his local club via the nationally-recognised construction firm.Morgan said: “The backing of such a high profile and well respected Cumbrian-based business is invaluable to us and we are very appreciative of their continued support of the Comets as we embark on what we hope will be a successful season for all parties.“Additionally, as we have stated previously, the assistance we have gained from Keith Denham and Thomas Armstrong with regard to the track and equipment is fundamental to the great racetrack we have at Derwent Park, all of which was instrumental in us being named as the ‘Premier League Track of the Year’ last season.”
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PETERBOROUGH promoter Ged Rathbone hopes the club can build a successful relationship with new major sponsors T Balfe Construction.The successful Lincolnshire-based family business have been unveiled as the Panthers' title backers for the 2016 season.Rathbone said: “We're thrilled to be able to announce a terrific new sponsorship deal which will give everyone a huge boost ahead of the new season. The backing will be invaluable as we aim to challenge for league and cup success."We’re really excited about the deal and the onus is on us as a club to ensure everyone connected to T Balfe Construction enjoys the experience of being our major backers.“The company will use our meetings as an opportunity to treat their staff and we look to welcoming and entertaining guests throughout the season.”
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THE Isle of Wight have named Neil Vatcher as their new team manager ahead of their return to National League racing.Vatcher left top-flight club Lakeside earlier this winter after five years at Purfleet, and will now combine his role with the Warriors with his duties as Great Britain Youth boss.He said: “I have been in contact with the Island management during the winter, and was proud to have been involved in selecting the team which I think by now it is common knowledge that everyone involved with the club are very excited about. “I believe that as a brand new team who only two months ago had no riders at all, we have assembled a team that not only can challenge for honours but will be an entertaining team on track.“I believe this is a new challenge for me and one that I am very excited about. I’m very much looking forward to working closely with all the riders, and making it a successful year for Island Speedway both on and off the track.”
