Workington Comets young Finnish prospect Antti Vuolas has signed for Belle Vue Aces in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
After impressing club bosses in their last couple of meetings, Belle Vue Speedway made the decision to sign both their stand-in reserves Vuolas and Jake Mulford.
Vuolas steps in for his injured Comets team-mate Tate Zischke who was ruled-out for the season after crashing while riding for the Aces.
Mulford returns to the team as their Rising Star after Connor Bailey, Workington’s number one last year, announced he was stepping down for the remainder of the year.
Vuolas made a particularly strong impression on the Belle Vue fans last Monday through his grit and determination, and no-nonsense racing style against the Oxford Spires.
He was back in action for the Aces last night at Birmingham and won his opening ride in the reserves race from Mulford with the Brummies pair of Piotr Pawlicki and Leon F;lint behind them.
Vuolas went on to have five rides and picked up two third, as well as running two lasts, for five points and a bonus in a 46-44 win.
Mulford, likewise, is keen to prove himself after his Premiership season with the ATPI Aces was cut short last year after he suffered a broken leg while racing Grasstrack.
Mulford said: “I’m delighted to be back with Belle Vue. I was disappointed not to finish last season and I’m looking forward to proving myself.”
Vuolas added: “It feels like I’ve been here for longer than just one home meeting. It was really good to hear the fans cheering me on and it really did boost my confidence.
“Being a part of the Belle Vue team is a great ending to my season. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and I want to do my best every time I race in the top league.
“At the beginning of the season, it was my goal to see if I could get a Premiership place and I’m really happy I have managed to achieve that, and I think it will only get better from here.
“I was surprised how well I settled down with the rest of the team to be honest, everyone was so supportive and I’m looking forward to being a part of this for the rest of the year.”
Belle Vue CEO Mark Lemon said: “It’s been a roller-coaster few weeks, first with losing Tate Zishcke and then Connor Bailey stepping down and we of course wish both of those boys the best.
“But it’s nice to have a full team once more and, for me, bringing in Jake and Antti was a no-brainer, particularly after their performance on Monday against Oxford.
“They’ve both come in and slotted into the team dynamic as though they’ve been here since the start of the year and we’re very excited to have them on board as a part of the team.”
The Aces won at Birmingham using rider replacement for injured west Cumbrian Dan Bewley who was hurt in a crash last week but is hoping to be back in good time for the British Grand Prix in Cardiff on August 17.
