SPEEDWAY - WORLD CHAMPION THRILLED TO BE BACK
Photo: Jason Doyle in FIM Speedway Grand Prix action. By Steve Feeney.
WORLD Champion Jason Doyle has given his first interview since sealing a sensational return to Somerset.
Aussie ace Doyle, a real favourite with Cases Rebels fans after his previous spell with the club, lifted the biggest prize in the sport on an emotional night in Melbourne last October.
And after he failed to secure a return to Premiership champions Swindon for next season, Somerset made their move to bring him ‘home’.
“I had some great times with Swindon and winning the title last season was particularly special,” he told Speedway Star magazine.
“I’d now like to do something similar with Somerset, they’ve shown they mean business with the team they’ve put together and I’m really looking forward to getting back there.
“I’m there to meet fans on February 1 with Kelvin Tatum and Nigel Pearson and I know the ticket sales are good so we’re going to have a great night meeting the fans again.
“I think there’s a lot from Swindon coming too which is great. The guys do a great job on TV and I get goose bumps when I hear Pearson shouting my name when I watch back Grand Prix coverage from those I won.”
Tickets for the night are available from sportstalkevents.co.uk in the booking office section – but there are only 20 remaining.
Speedway Star magazine is available on subscription via speedwaystar.net or on race nights at the Oaktree during the season.
(SPEEDWAY 1)
SHEFFIELD will be led into the 2018 season by Kyle Howarth – and co-promoter Damien Bates reckons it is one of their biggest signings in recent memory.
The 23-year-old has now finally put pen to paper on a new deal with the Tigers as their No.1 and captain after successful negotiations with parent club Workington.
Bates said: “We are delighted to have Kyle back on board for another season and I'm sure our supporters are too.
“A lot has been made about the move but we would like to thank Workington for their co-operation and personally I am genuinely delighted.
“I would go as far as to say I believe Kyle is probably the best signing I have made in my time as a promoter.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
STOKE have been handed a pre-season boost with an extension of their team sponsorship deal with A.R. Richards Ltd.
It will be a second season as main sponsors of the Potters for the Shropshire-based company, with the club having already announced several new signings for 2018.
Promoter Dave Tattum said: “I’m delighted to have A.R. Richards return and would like to thank Tony and Adam Richards for being a delight to work with in order to conclude the deal.
“They have been great to work with also over the past twelve months and they have great enthusiasm for the sport and for Stoke as a club and it is really pleasing to see them return.
“Their help and support has been invaluable both on and off the track with some of the improvements and we hope to continue that this year.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
JOE Jacobs has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 24 to pursue other career options.
Jacobs was a member of the Belle Vue team which reached the Elite League Grand Final in 2016, but was restricted to a brief spell with Berwick as injury cover midway through last season.
He said: “To continue in speedway in 2018 I knew that I needed to be riding in both the Premiership and Championship for speedway to work financially for me.
“I have been in discussion with a number of clubs but know this is not going to be possible now for the start of the season.
“After last season, where I only had a one month contract mid-year and a few open meetings, I don't want to be again sitting and waiting for the possibility of team changes during the 2018 season that may or may not come my way.
“This uncertainty is not fair on my sponsors or on my current employer, so I have made the positive decision to move on from the sport.
“Speedway has been really good for me. I have had the opportunity to travel and have met a lot of great people in and around the sport.
“I would like to thank my sponsors, many of whom have been with me for most or all of my racing career. I would also like to thank all of the promoters and management teams that I have worked with over the last ten years.”
