(SPEEDWAY 1)
WOLVERHAMPTON have made Jacob Thorssell their second signing ahead of the 2017 SGB Premiership campaign.The Swedish star will be back in Wolves colours for the sixth straight season, joining Fredrik Lindgren as the latest confirmed member of their side.“It’s very good to be back, and there weren’t really any other thoughts from my side,” Thorssell said.“When CVS (co-promoter Chris Van Straaten) told me he wanted me I was very pleased, so it’s great to have things sorted and to be back for another year.“Hopefully we’ll have another successful season like last season and I can keep moving forwards individually as well.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
RYE House have handed Rob Branford a place at reserve as they close in on completing their line-up for the SGB Premiership season.The former British Under-21 Champion enjoyed an impressive 2016 campaign with the Hoddesdon club at both Premier League and National League levels, and now joins them in making the step up.Co-promoter Steve Jenson said: “Branny is a born racer. All he wants to do is jump on a bike and get out there, regardless of the weather or conditions. It’s the perfect attitude to have in a team. His sheer enthusiasm is infectious.“He’s given himself the personal target of progressing from a reserve spot into the main body of the team, which is a big ask given the calibre of our top five but it emphasises his sheer ambition and his determination to keep moving forward.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BERWICK have completed their side for the SGB Championship season with the signings of Claus Vissing and Dany Gappmaier.Vissing rejoins the Bandits after spending 2016 with Workington, whilst Gappmaier returns to Shielfield Park having come into the team midway through the campaign just ended.Co-promoter Scott Courtney said: “A consummate professional and very much a team player, Claus has proven time and time again that on his day he can be up there with the greatest riders in the league.“In his previous tenure with the Bandits, Claus was an instant hit with the great Berwick fans. I think 2017 promises that he'll slot straight back in, as a winner as well as a crowd favourite.“Dany’s story is one completely out of the ordinary, as he had never competed in an official team until he joined the Bandits last season. He adapted to British Speedway very well, and recorded race wins at most tracks he visited without ever seeing them before!”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PLAY-OFF hero Kyle Howarth is staying with Sheffield for the 2017 season.Howarth hit top form to help the side through to the Final showdown against Somerset last month as the Tigers upset the odds to overcome Newcastle and Glasgow in the earlier rounds.Co-promoter Damien Bates said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kyle back to the club. He enjoyed a brilliant end to the season and he’s a great lad to have around the place.“We still feel there’s plenty more to come from him and I’m sure he’s in for a big year.“It’s so far so good with team building with Kyle and new faces Lasse Bjerre and Jack Parkinson-Blackburn with more to follow soon.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
PETER Karlsson will bid farewell to British Speedway with a special meeting at Wolverhampton at the start of next season.'PK - The Final Word' will be held at Monmore Green on Sunday, March 19 as the Swedish star officially brings his career in Great Britain to an end – having represented the West Midlands club in 17 of his 22 seasons in the UK, winning four league titles in the process.Karlsson said: “Some would say it's been a long time coming, but finishing on a high after winning the league again at Belle Vue was just the perfect way to go out.“I've got so much to thank British Speedway for and I've had some really great times over in England.“Monmore Green was the only track I could hold this meeting at really - it's been my home for so many years and there's nowhere else I'd rather be having it.“I promise it will be a really enjoyable day for all of the fans who turn out. I'll be inviting a lot of my old team-mates as well as some exciting, young riders so there'll be something for everyone.”
