(SPEEDWAY 1)
WORKINGTON have signed club stalwart Rusty Harrison and British youngster Nathan Greaves after changing their plans due to visa issues.Mason Campton and Matthew Wethers have been ruled out for the Comets, with Harrison now set for a tenth season with the club which will also include his twice-postponed Testimonial on April 11; whilst Greaves joins to race in the Premier League along with his National League team place at Cradley.Owner Laura Morgan said: “Rusty was very keen to return when we asked him, although the circumstances that have brought about his return are unfortunate, which is something that Rusty was keen to acknowledge. He is good friends with Mason, with whom he shared a workshop all last season, and he is disappointed about the situation as we all are but he is very keen to have a good season with us this year.“Nathan is very highly rated and despite his lack of Premier League experience we believe he has shown enough potential last season to really push on this season. We will ensure he gets plenty of help while not putting any pressure on him and I’m sure we will see him get among the points at reserve.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
RYE House have moved for Anders Mellgren in a late team change after receiving a shock transfer request from Jason Garrity.Rockets promoter Len Silver has circulated Garrity’s name to all clubs and re-declared his side to include former Rye man Mellgren, who is now fully recovered from the back injury which severely affected his 2014 campaign.Silver said: “This was devastating news for me, just like the loss of Tyson Nelson a short while ago. I had thought that the Rockets' side was settled and I am at loss to understand the reason for Jason's demand when I have always treated him in the best way I possibly could. “However, there is no way that I would want any rider in my team who is unhappy at being there. So I quickly recovered my thinking and resolved the situation. One telephone call was all it took to replace the vacancy in the Rockets' team.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SOMERSET have announced plans to start the season with a prestige challenge match against Elite League champions Poole on Friday March 27.The Pirates are expected to send their full team to the Oaktree Arena in a busy opening week which also features their Elite Shield clashes with King’s Lynn.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “We wanted to get our 2015 season underway with a top quality challenge match, and clubs don’t come much bigger than Poole, who won the Elite League Championship last season.“Although Poole have yet to complete their team for the new season, club promoter Matt Ford has said that he will be bringing a full strength Pirates septet, which will hopefully include the 2012 World Champion, Chris Holder, as well as the likes of Davey Watt, Dakota North and ex-Rebel Kyle Newman, to the Oaktree Arena for the match, so it promises to be a great occasion.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
EASTBOURNE have named Richard Andrews as their sixth signing for 2015 as they prepare for their debut National League campaign.Andrews, who began his career with Newport, rode for Devon last season and is looking forward to practicing at Arlington, where he has never previously ridden, when the weather improves.Andrews said: “I am absolutely pumped about coming to Eastbourne. I can’t wait for it. It will be good. “This should be a major step up for me. I have always wanted to ride there but have never had the opportunity, and I am looking forward to it.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter has confirmed he has former Robins favourite Peter Kildemand on stand-by should visa issues affect the start of the season.Rossiter expects skipper Troy Batchelor to be available for the club’s opening Elite League fixtures against Poole on Good Friday but made contact with Danish rider Kildemand, who is taking a year out of British racing, as a back-up if needed.Rossiter said: “We had to get a Plan B in place just in case there are any further hiccups. I spoke to Peter and there will be no problem whatsoever with him standing in for us, and he is more than happy to help us out for however long.“As I say, I think it’s highly unlikely especially as we’re not racing in the Elite League until April, we’re confident Troy will be here but we needed to know we had cover arranged.”
