Howe caps it with second deal

Howe has already broken new ground in an innovative link-up with Indian firm LG Balakrishnan and Bros Ltd, which will manufacture and supply him with chains and sprockets in return for technical feedback.

LGB's technical department is currently looking at data and tooling up for production.

Now the 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Oxford, has secured an agreement with GetGeared.co.uk to cover Madhead brand helmets, goggles and gloves throughout 2007.

GetGeared is the sole UK distributor for Madhead products, which are manufactured by top German firm Louis International.

"If you look down the High Street you always see the same names," said GetGeared owner Georg Braun.

"When we started the business three years ago we wanted to bring in new clothes and brands, mainly from Germany," he added.

"Madhead is a very funky motocross/speedway brand with a little bit of enduro thrown in too!

"We're not short of people ringing and writing in to ask for sponsorship.

"But David stood out. He has achieved things in his sport, and he is an individual who exudes enthusiasm for speedway," said Braun.

"It is really quite exciting to be linking up with someone who has such expertise and enthusiasm and is looking forward to the next big thing in his career."

Where that career will take its next step is as yet unclear. Howe had been pencilled into the Wolves line-up for 2006 only for the promoters' conference to unveil an unexpected reduction in team strengths that saw him go out on loan to the Cheetahs.

This year's conference takes place from November 17-19.

* Former Wolves rider Wayne Carter has retired. The 35-year-old, who skippered Conference League Scunthorpe last season, broke his leg in August.

The Scorpions' title win means Carter has a league winner's medal at each rank in the sport, having taken top-level honours with Wolves in 1991 and a Premier League championship at Edinburgh in 2003.