CRAIG Cook, Belle Vue’s rising Cumbrian star, has reached another milestone in his blossoming career by earning a place in the main body of the team.

The rider who only came into speedway three years ago started the season as a reserve when he moved into Elite League racing with the Autogate Aces.

Cook, who had a remarkable 15-point haul in last week’s win over Lakeside, will take the step up in class when the Aces ride at Wolverhampton next Monday with the return at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Wednesday (8 0).

He has raised his average to 4.56 in the official July figures which puts him in fifth place in the Belle Vue batting order. It is another landmark for the former moto cross star who has progressed rapidly through the National and Premier leagues.

Cook will take over the tough No 2 slot where he will partner captain Chris Harris while Patrick Hougaard and Rory Schlein will exchange places to ride at No 4 and No 5.

He said: “This is my first full season in the Elite League and I haven’t even been riding a speedway bike for three years yet. I’m am trying to learn a lot of things quickly and I’ve still got a lot more to learn.

“I have my inconsistent meetings but I am still trying different engines and different set-ups to find out what works best for me.”

Team manager Jim Lynch said: “Cook has been given a new official average after completing the required four home and four away meetings. It means I have to use him in the top five.

“I switched Hougaard and Schlein as an experiment and I think it improved the team in some ways. However, Schlein said he would prefer to be at No 5 and I have reverted to the original line-up now that Hougaard is fit again after his hand injury.”

The Aces are expecting to name a new signing shortly to replace Pole Dawid Stachyra who resigned last month. They had a 28-day facility to use rider replacement for Stachyra but this has expired. The new man will partner Ricky Kling at reserve.

The team to face Wolves is: Chris Harris, Craig Cook, Charlie Gjedde, Patrick Hougaard, Rory Schlein, AN Other, Ricky Kling.

The Aces have confirmed that their league match at Peterborough will be on Friday, July 22. Peterborough look certain to be their Knockout Cup rivals after winning the away leg of their tie against Coventry.

BELLE Vue legend Ivan Mauger, the six-times World champion who led the club to their British League title treble in 1970-72, will be back in Manchester next month to back the Buy a Brick campaign to raise funds for the new National Stadium.

The New Zealander, who now lives on the Australian Gold Coast in Queensland, will be at the home Elite League match against Coventry on Monday, August 1.

Then he will attend the crucial supporters meeting the next evening at the Monastery in nearby Gorton Lane (6 30pm for 7 00).

This meeting is a major event for the future of Belle Vue and the club will submit to fans the up-to-date details of the £6m stadium to be built at the Belle Vue Sports Village.

David Gordon, the Aces’ Managing Director, describes the meeting as ‘pivotal in the future of the club’ and is expecting a huge turn-out. He added: “It is brilliant for us that Ivan Mauger, one of the club’s legendary figures, will be supporting us at such an important meeting.”

Details of the Buy a Brick campaign can be found on www.nationalspeedwaystadium.co.uk