BRITISH SPEEDWAY DECEMBER 16

Date: Thursday December 16, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

WOLVERHAMPTON have captured the signing of former British No.2 Steve Worrall for the new Premiership campaign.
Worrall has ridden for Belle Vue since 2015 and captained the Aces to the Grand Final this year where they were defeated by Peterborough, but he has previous experience as a ‘home’ rider at Monmore Green when he lined up for Cradley in 2014.

Promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “I’d say his move here with the Heathens was the turning point in his career. He was unstoppable at National League level but was also riding superbly for his other clubs.
“I was surprised when he said he was looking for a fresh challenge, and I wanted to talk to him.

“I believe he’s our type of rider at Wolverhampton, a good team man who never gives up, and I believe this will be good for both Steve and for us as a club.
“He’s reached a certain level this season, but I feel a move like this can add a spark and he can kick on from here.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SCUNTHORPE have announced the return of Finnish star Tero Aarnio who will start the new season as third heat-leader.
Aarnio started his third spell as a Scorpion this season but was forced to sit out the closing weeks of the campaign due to visa issues.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We will apply for a sportsman’s visa for Tero, like we do with the Australians, and we don’t see any issues with that going forward at all.
“When Dave Peet (team manager) and I looked through our meetings from 2021, we noticed we seemed to struggle whenever Tero was missing. Every time he was there at home, he was a banker for points.
“Like Simon Lambert, Tero is very determined and he feels he’s got unfinished business at Scunthorpe. He very much wants to stay with us and that’s a big part of it.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

LEICESTER have completed their Championship line-up with the signing of British youngster Anders Rowe.
The 19-year-old moves to the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena after spells with Redcar and Edinburgh this year, and he will start the season at reserve alongside Joe Thompson after suffering with knee trouble in the second half of the campaign.

Rowe said: “The track is really good there, and although my last meeting there was a bad one, that was just from my injury, and overall I like the track.
“Whenever I’ve been there in the past for practice or racing it seems to suit me. It’s a good race-track and Stewart (Dickson) prepares it how the whole team wants it, so everyone is happy with it and confident – and hopefully we’ll win a lot of races!
“The team looks strong to be honest, it’s a good consistent team with Nick (Morris), Richie (Worrall) and Kyle (Howarth) at the top, so we should be pretty strong.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

OXFORD have moved for ex-Birmingham rider Jack Thomas as their fifth signing for the re-launch of the sport at Cowley.
Thomas caught the attention of promoter Jamie Courtney with some impressive displays for the Brummies this season which also earned him a Premiership berth with King’s Lynn.

Said Thomas: “This is an amazing opportunity for myself and I’m very grateful to Jamie for having me in Cheetahs’ regeneration squad.
“My speedway career hadn’t even started when Oxford last raced 14 years ago, but I still understand how valued this club is within the sport and community.

“I’m pleased and grateful to everyone who successfully campaigned to bring speedway back to Oxford. It’s a new era for the club, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.
“Personally, I feel like last season was my best yet. My riding and points scoring in the Championship was consistent and it’s granted me a lot of confidence looking ahead to 2022.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

BELLE Vue have revealed their full line-up for the 2022 National Development League season – with four riders returning from this year.
The Colts will welcome back Jack Smith, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, and McGurk brothers Harry and Sam, who are joined by three new signings.

Title winner Nathan Ablitt joins from Mildenhall, Archie Freeman switches from Armadale, and youngster Freddie Hodder will make his NDL debut with the Manchester side.
Colts co-boss Steve Williams said: “We’re really happy to see four of the lads from last season back in the side. These guys are the basis of why we have the Colts team; for youth development.

“Nathan and Archie are two lads we’ve had our eye on for a few years now, and to see them both so enthusiastic about grabbing this opportunity is very pleasing.
“Freddie Hodder is a very exciting prospect for us. He’s a motocross convert who made his debut in the British Youth Championship last season.
“Overall we are delighted with the team we have assembled, and would like to place on record our thanks to all of our outgoing riders from 2021 for all their efforts and hard work.”

(SPEEDWAY 6)

NATIONAL Development League champions Mildenhall have announced the signings of Sam Bebee and Elliot Kelly for their title defence.
The two youngsters both played their part in the Fen Tigers’ 2021 success and are crowd favourites at West Row.
General manager Phil Kirk said: “Two riders with considerable potential, both suffered from a lack of meetings in 2021 but with a bigger league and the return of the play-offs and KO Cup big things are expected from them in the coming season.
“They will start the new season in the main body of the team but do so with the management’s full support and confidence that they can continue to progress their careers and add to their starting averages.”

(SPEEDWAY 7)

PLYMOUTH have confirmed their entry into the 2022 National Development League will see them carry the name of the Centurions.
The club left the NDL when they stepped up to the Championship for this year’s campaign, but are pleased to now be running at that level alongside their senior efforts and offer supporters a busy schedule of racing at the Coliseum.
Promoter Mark Phillips said: “The increased focus on youth and development in British Speedway gives us the opportunity to re-enter the NDL as a far more vibrant club in a more competitive Development League format than we left.
“We are excited about the opportunities it will give us to develop young new talent from both Devon and Cornwall and the wider South-West area, and also from other forms of two-wheel sport such as grasstrack and motocross, both of which are well established in the area, via our regular and very well attended practice and training programme.
“We want to develop the next Chris Harris and Ben Barker, and to find more talent like our own Henry Atkins who is one of the most exciting young riders in British Speedway; and also local riders such as Ben Trigger, the current British 500cc Youth Champion.”

(SPEEDWAY 8)

LEICESTER have re-affirmed their commitment to the National Development League with their entry for 2022 now officially confirmed.
The Lion Cubs were champions in their debut campaign of 2019 and have handed several youngsters their first competitive experience since launching the team.
Co-promoter Stewart Dickson said: “We very much support the National Development League, and the short to long-term plans the owners and myself discussed in 2019 are beginning to bear fruit.
“Dave Howard (Cubs manager) and myself have been very active in building a team which we hope will bring the NDL title back to Leicester.
“However, we must also recognise it is all about bringing through younger riders and giving them competitive experience.”