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REPRESENTATIVES from throughout the sport joined MPs at Westminster on Wednesday for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Motorcycle Speedway Annual Reception.Promoters, management, riders, media and guests were present at the fourth such event which attracted an impressive attendance and also saw several individuals receive accolades.Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Staaaten and Somerset chief Debbie Hancock (award presented to manager Garry May) were honoured at Elite and Premier League levels following their title successes in 2016, whilst in the National League Buxton boss Jayne Moss was rewarded for the true ‘grass roots’ speedway operation of her family in the Peak District.The new award for Innovation went to Ed Bales of Poultec Training after the successful launch of their apprenticeship scheme for young riders, whilst former World Champion Peter Collins MBE received the award for Achievement some 40 years after he was crowned World Champion.APPG Chairman Nick Brown MP said: “The annual reception is a fantastic opportunity to showcase speedway in Parliament and has gone from strength to strength over the years.“It is heartening to see the event supported so strongly and enthusiastically by both MPs and supporters of speedway.“A number of MPs have visited their local speedway track over the last year, and feedback on the welcome they receive is overwhelmingly positive. This is testament to the welcoming, family-friendly character of speedway.”
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POOLE have confirmed the return of skipper Hans Andersen for their challenge in the SGB Premiership next season.Andersen signed a two-year deal at Wimborne Road last winter and promoter Matt Ford is now pleased to accommodate the experienced Dane on a 10.01 average.Ford said: “It is great to have Hans back for another term. He is totally committed to Poole and once again he will play a vital part within the team, not just through his captaincy but because I believe he can offer us so much. “We did a deal last season and I was determined to commit to bringing him back for a second year. It is not always possible in speedway because of the effect the points limit can have on team building, but the maths fit, the rider is keen and so to all intents and purposes it was a no-brainer.”
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DAVID Bellego is the third name on Swindon's new-look team sheet for next season.French racer Bellego spent last season with Redcar but has been granted his wish to join the Robins in the SGB Premiership.Boss Alun Rossiter said: “I'm pleased to welcome David to Swindon. He is always very well prepared for meetings with good equipment and I'm sure he can do a good job for the team.“He contacted me towards the end of the season saying how he'd love to ride at Swindon and he was back in touch after the AGM.“The track suits him, although of course that may change when we move mid-season, but he's also a rider I've watched closely and impressed me with his professionalism and attitude.”
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RYE House have continued their rapid SGB Premiership team-building by announcing a return for the experienced Stuart Robson.Robson started his second spell at Hoddesdon last season eight years on from his initial stint in Rockets colours, and scooped the club’s Rider of the Year award.He said: “I am really pleased to be back for next year. Rye House was my first choice of club for 2017 regardless of which league they were in, so I am absolutely delighted to be a part of the set-up again.“2016 was a good year for me but I also feel that I have got a lot more to give next season. To have Scott (Nicholls), Chris (Harris) and Davey (Watt) in the line-up as well is tremendous. It’s a really exciting looking side that is coming together.“We’re already talking three Brits, plus Davey who is resident over here, and that’s got to be a big plus for team spirit.”
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SCUNTHORPE will go into the 2017 SGB Championship season with exactly the same line-up which completed this year’s Premier League campaign.The Scorpions’ fortunes improved markedly after making changes in the closing stages of the year and they have now confirmed Josh Auty, Michael Palm Toft, Carl Wilkinson, Lewis Kerr, Fritz Wallner and Josh Bailey will all return to join the already-announced Ryan Douglas.Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We can hit the ground running in 2017. There will be no-one new in the team, so no-one will need to learn the fastest lines around the Eddie Wright Raceway.“Other teams will have new riders settling in, but we won’t have that. “We knew we had the makings of a very good team at the end of last season. I believe had we started last year with the team we ended it with, then we would have been in the play-offs. I can see no reason why that can’t happen in 2017, and once you’re in the play-offs, you have every chance of winning the league.”
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GEORGIE Wood has become the first signing for Eastbourne ahead of the 2017 season.Wood will be going into his third year with the Eagles in the National League, and team boss Connor Dugard believes his rapid improvement since his debut in the sport in 2015 will see him also gain recognition at higher levels.Dugard said: “Georgie put nearly two points on his starting average again this year. Building the team around him was a no-brainer.“Whatever the point limit is Georgie is in all of our plans. If he makes the progress he has I wouldn't be surprised if he is riding in the Championship next year, let alone guest bookings in the Premiership.”The Eagles have also confirmed 2016 skipper Jake Knight will not be back at Arlington, as he is to take time out of the sport.Knight said: “It has been a seriously hard decision but with work commitments I cannot put all my effort into my racing and with other things going on as well I'm very sad to say I will not be back.”
