Praise for Mear ahead of tough clash

The Vortex Lakeside Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook expects this Friday’s clash with the Birmingham Brummies to be amongst the toughest his team will face at the Arena Essex Raceway this year as his team’s season starts to come together.

Cancelled fixtures have seen the Vortex Hammers get off to a slow start to their League campaign but a brace of wins last week, at Poole on Wednesday and home against Peterborough on Friday, have seen the team climb up to fifth place in the Sky Sports Elite League table, just one spot away from the Play Offs positions.

Cook commented following these two victories: “We are getting back on track now and this coming Friday (17th May) against the Brummies represents another tough test after which we can assess whether the team will need reinforcements to mount a better challenge.

Our early season performances led us to consider changes but the team have responded well to that after a heart to heart at Poole last Wednesday. I have to single out Rob Mear for particular praise as he really was on the floor when we spoke Thursday having been well off the pace all week. His performance Friday was a pure match winner’s and to be able to turn that around within 48 hours showed real dedication. We will need more rides like that on Friday as the Birmingham line up is stuffed full of riders that go well at our Raceway.”

This Friday’s action will get underway at the Arena Essex Raceway, the home of the Vortex Lakeside Hammers, at 8pm with the Grand Parade of riders scheduled for 7.45pm.

Image: Heat 4: Robert Mear (blue) and Piotr Swiderski – Vortex Lakeside Hammers vs Kings Lynn Stars – Sky Sports Elite League Speedway at Arena Essex Raceway, CREDIT: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO