Sunshine showdown

A complete Lakeside Hammers side will take to the track tonight at the Arena-Essex Raceway for the first time this season in what is shaping up to be a scorcher on and off track.

Polish rider, Piotr Swiderski, will make his home debut having overcome start permission obstacles in his home country, and will join his new team mates in the battle to fend off early season table toppers, the Belle Vue Aces, in what is forecast to be an outstanding day, weather-wise.

“We have had more than our fair share or weather disasters and rider injuries over the years.” said Hammers co-promoter, Stuart Douglas, “So to be able to track our full 1 to 7 team,  on a glorious spring day, against riders of the likes of British No. 1 Chris Harris – what else could you ask for to get excited about.? After we shone in last week’s stern test against the much fancied Wolves side, here’s an opportunity to stamp our presence on the League nice and early by beating the League leaders. It’s shaping up to be a real corker and if our fans can replicate the noise they made last week then we are in for a fantastic atmosphere”.

The Hammers warmed up for tonight’s Sky Sports Elite League encounter against the Aces with a well taken draw last night down in Wiltshire in the second leg of their Challenge match against the Swindon Robins. Following a Hammers victory last month against the Robins by 18 points at the Arena-Essex Raceway the return leg proved to be a good testing session whereby the team were able to make full use of the meeting to test out the new silencers on a big track.

Having fallen behind at the Abbey Stadium by 12 points after 10 heats the Hammers side put in a strong performance in the latter stages to fight back to go into the final race two points up but a 4-2 heat advantage to the Robins in that race resulted in the match being drawn.

Tonight’s encounter at the Hammers Arena-Essex Raceway against the Belle Vue Aces will get underway at the usual start time of 8pm with the parade of riders scheduled for 7.45pm.

Picture: Kauko Nieminen : Gavin Ellis / TGS PHOTO