Workington Comets have announced their fourth signing ahead of the 2025 Championship season.
Joining Tate Zischke, Vinnie Foord and Antti Vuolas is the 29-year-old Australian Jye Etheridge.
He joins from Berwick after spending the last seven seasons at Shielfield Park for the Bandits – and is now ready to make the change.
The GT Tyres Comets promotion and Etheridge feel this is the perfect move for both parties.
The promotion will get him on a bargain average of 4.98, which they can only see increasing over the course of next season and he will ride on a track he can enjoy his racing on once again.
Team manager James Denham said: “I’m looking forward to working with Reggie in 2025. He’s shown what he can do in the Premiership in some big meetings so he can improve on his 4.98 average.
“We can give him an environment where he can enjoy his speedway again.”
Etheridge made a guest appearance for the Comets in 2024, but also featured in the first Championship match at Northside with the Bandits in March. He scored a solid eight points from a heat leader position on the day.
Workington Speedway promoter Andrew Bain said: “Once again we think this could be a very shrewd signing. Jye has shown what a quality rider he can be home and away in the past, now he will be on a proper racers’ track and one he can enjoy riding week-in-week-out.
“We think Jye is coming on a steal of an average, plus Northside is his type of track. He has rode for Belle Vue in the past in the Premiership which is a similar track so if he recoups some of his form from there we will certainly reap the rewards.
“As a promotion we are delighted at the signings we have made so far for next season, and the feedback we are reading is satisfying to see that the fans are equally pleased with what we are putting together. We have plenty more excitement to come – so please stay tuned.”
Meanwhile Leicester have confirmed that former Workington skipper Craig Cook will take one of their reserve berths next season to give them five riders as declared signings for 2025 so far.
The former British Champion has had spells with the Lions in each of the last two campaigns, the majority of which came this year as the club reached the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final.
Cook missed the play-offs due to injury but is now looking ahead to a season which will see him race for manager Stewart Dickson in both senior leagues, as he has also joined Berwick following his departure from the Comets.
Dickson said: “We know Craig is comfortable around Leicester, he likes the track and the way it’s set up, and we just need to find him a bit more consistency.
“People are looking at King’s Lynn with Bomber (Chris Harris) at reserve, but for us with Craig Cook at reserve he should be every bit as good as the other riders who are in that position
“He comes in at 4.55, with discount, and I know he’s been sitting around that in the Premiership for a couple of years now, but he should be looking to get a six-point average.”
