Hammers ready for action!

The Vortex Lakeside Hammers are revving up for a new era of speedway action at the Arena-Essex Raceway.

The club are hosting their press and practice day on Thursday before hosting old rivals Eastbourne Eagles in the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy on Friday (1pm).

Entry to press and practice on Thursday is via the Go Kart entrance behind the Raceway Tavern at 11am and the Vortex Hammers, led by new skipper Ben Morley, will be available for interviews and photographs.

They’ll then take to the track to go through their paces and the club will also select their final team member at reserve. All fans are welcome

A bumper crowd is expected for Friday’s meeting in memory of one of the club’s all-time great riders. Lee Richardson also raced for Eastbourne and the fifth anniversary of his passing following a crash in Poland is fast approaching.

Hammers co-boss Jon Cook said: “Lee cut his young speedway teeth on the old junior track at Eastbourne, his local track and spent a season with the club.

“He went on to join the Hammers and went on to captain our team before his tragic death racing in Poland five years ago, how quickly time passes.”

Friday’s meeting will also see some demonstration BMX riding from representatives of Braintree Bullets.

FRIDAY’S TEAMS:

LAKESIDE: Ben Morley, George Hunter, David Mason, Alfie Bowtell, Zach Wajtknecht, Nick Laurence, TBC.

EASTBOURNE: Mark Baseby, Kelsey Dugard, Connor Coles, Mattie Bates, Georgie Wood, Charley Powell, Tom Brennan.