Crump and Lyons back with the Aces.

Belle Vue's 2003 team is almost at completion as the club announce five signings. World number two Jason Crump and the long-serving Jason Lyons heading the pack.

New faces are Steve Johnston, brought in from Oxford, Craig Watson, who will double up with Newport in the Premier League and former Grand Prix rider Carl Stonehewer who, like Watson, has Premier League commitments.

After a year or two of struggle, the signs are that the Aces may rise towards the head of the pack in 2003. Crump is proven world class, Lyons is a Belle Vue legend, Johnston doesn't know when he's beaten and Stonehewer is one of the leading Premier League riders, has Grand Prix experience and is more than capable of hitting the high numbers at Elite League level.

Watson could be an inspired signing as he's on record as saying he fancies another crack at the Elite League and he impressed in the Premier League Riders' Championship which was held at Kirky Lane.

Ex-Ace Chris Manchester - a once very promising talent - is under consideration for a British comeback and that could be a very shrewd move indeed if he can be tempted back and show his best form.

Assuming Manchester's signing can be secured, that would leave one place to fill - with room for a heat leader to support Crump and Lyons. Three names approached by the Aces about that are Greg Hancock, Rune Holta and Krzysztof Cegielski but all three have indicated that they do not plan to race in England next season.