BRITISH SPEEDWAY DECEMBER 7, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

GILKES RETURNS

PLYMOUTH have announced the return of youngster Dan Gilkes who saw his 2022 season wrecked by serious injury.
Gilkes made an impressive start to the campaign with the Gladiators but suffered multiple injuries in a crash at Scunthorpe on April 29 including a badly broken arm.

He will be back at the Coliseum next year with the club also confirming the signing of heat-leader Richie Worrall, which they had announced at their final meeting of the season.
Gilkes said: “Obviously I was trying to get back for the end of the season, which was my goal, but given how bad my injury was, that wasn’t doable and as soon as I told Plymouth that I wasn’t able to get back racing this year, they were straight away talking about next season, and it feels right to come back.

“The month I had there went well and I really enjoyed my time at Plymouth with the way the fans were towards me, the team management and Mark (Phillips) and Garry (May). 
“For the month I was there, they were really helpful, and coming back for 2023 was a no-brainer from the moment they got in contact.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

BIRMINGHAM have added experienced British racer James Wright to their line-up – for a second spell with the club.
Wright rode six matches for the Brummies in the old Elite League as a doubling-up rider back in 2011, but it was his guest appearances at Perry Barr in the latter stages of this year that impressed club bosses.

He scored 12 and 7+2 in Challenge matches against Coventry and Cradley, having completed the Championship season with Scunthorpe after the closure of Newcastle.
Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “James’ two appearances in our Challenge meetings were very impressive.

“He had some really good outings beating the likes of Bomber (Chris Harris), Hans Andersen, Tom Brennan a couple of times and he showed he’s still got a liking for Perry Barr.

“I feel he’s worth more than the 5.51 average he’s coming in on at this level, and we feel he can do a solid job in the engine room of the side if you like, because he does have a lot of ability.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

EDINBURGH have snapped up Kyle Bickley and are backing him to bounce back from a tough 2022 season.
Bickley, 20, lost his place with Berwick and saw his average dip below the three-point mark – but he has a good record at Armadale since entering the Championship and believes he can put this year behind him.

He said: “I am really looking forward to joining the Monarchs. I have spoken to the club in the past, I think at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020, but unfortunately at the time it didn’t pan out and I went to Berwick, but I think now it is a good time for me and a good time for Edinburgh to bring me on board. 

“I am happy and, for the rider I know I can be, I think my average is a steal. I have had a bit of time to kind of reset myself, get back to basics, start afresh with no pressure and I know what I can do. I am looking forward to going out there and doing my job.

“I have always liked Armadale – maybe in the past it was prepared as a home track and it wasn’t the easiest as an away rider, but it is a track I enjoy, especially the last few years.
“Now it will be my home track I can really get used to it and score the seven and eight points a week I am aiming for.”