Hammers without Jonsson for 2009

Jonsson averaged just under 10 points for Lakeside Hammers in 2008

Andreas Jonsson will not race for the Lakeside Hammers next season.

The Swedish star was the Hammers' number one rider this season, but co-promoter Jon Cook said financial considerations had to take precedence.

"There's no hiding the fact that we would have liked to have included him in 2009," Cook told BBC Essex.

"We looked at the situation in regards to what AJ would need to commit to a full season and we really weren't able to agree that."

"Although I have to say it was the most amicable talks that you could possibly have, with regards to somebody who really does enjoy his time with us."

Although the club and Jonsson could not agree a deal for the whole season, Cook did not rule out the possibility of the two working together again in the future.

"We certainly wouldn't rule him out later on in the year, should we need a bit of help at the top end to strengthen us if we don't go down the road we think we will, in terms of success with the team we're building at present," he said.

With the Elite League points limit dropping to 39.90 and the current economic squeeze taking a hold, many Grand Prix stars are expected to stay away from the British league in 2009.

We could have two or three British riders for sure in our team and if we get the team we're really thinking about we'll certainly have three

Lakeside Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook

The club also confirmed they had signed two as-yet unnamed riders for 2009 and hope to announce their full-line within the next few weeks.

"We're probably in a position now where we would know what the majority of the team would be," explained Cook.

"It's just a case of juggling the last few positions with the averages that we have, to make the very best team available to keep ourselves up at the top.

"We could have two or three British riders for sure in our team and if we get the team we're really thinking about we'll certainly have three."