MILDENHALL Fen Tigers have unveiled two more signings as they gear up for the 2012 National League campaign.

MILDENHALL Fen Tigers have unveiled two more signings as they gear up for the 2012 National League campaign.

Rider of the Year Lewis Blackbird, who had a superb debut season, returns for a second term at West Row. He is joined by a new face, the highly rated teenager Stefan Neilsen, who was part of the Scunthorpe/Sheffield team that just pipped the Fen Tigers to the National League title, after a dramatic Play-Off final.

The duo will link up with other returnees Cameron Heeps, who will be doubling up with Premier League Ipswich, and Daniel Halsey who was the first rider to put pen to paper for the new campaign.

Joe Jacobs, who is currently recovering from a broken ankle suffered racing in Australia, is expected to complete a formidable looking top five for the Tigers, with the names of two new reserves expected to be revealed next week.

Co-promoter Michael Lee said, “Obviously we are delighted to get Lewis back. He had an incredible year and I don’t think anyone, including Lewis himself, expected he would more than double his starting average. I know our supporters who voted him their Rider of the Year will be thrilled too.

“Stefan comes to us with a growing reputation and looks a terrific prospect. He is still only 17 but has already been part of a league winning team, and wants to build on that success with us. He lives just down the road from West Row, so it’s a great signing for both parties.”

Despite his injury Joe Jacobs is confident he’ll be fit in plenty of time for the start of the season. “Joe is staying in Australia to recover. He reckons he’ll be ready in eight weeks and is keen to fit some more racing in Down Under before he comes home. We were hearing great things about Joe before his injury and I reckon if all goes according to plan this could be his breakthrough year.

“As far as the reserves are concerned we have more or less made up our minds who we want, and hope to get things sorted out by next week.”

Lee admits the club’s one disappointment is not being able to fit the popular Aaron Baseby into the 2012 line up. “I am gutted to be honest, but his average was just too high to fit the structure that we want. It’s a huge shame as Aaron is a great team man and a lovely lad to have around. I am sure another team will quickly snap him up and he will always be welcome at West Row.”

The other riders not returning are Mark Baseby whose Longtrack and Grasstrack commitments ruled him out, while last year’s skipper Jack Hargreaves is taking a break from the sport.