The Hammers start half a season in a month

The Lakeside Hammers return to racing this Friday, 3rd August, at the Arena Essex Raceway when the Belle Vue Aces are the visitors in the Elite League.

The meeting is the start of a make or break month for the Club, who race almost half a season’s fixtures in August due to the cancellations caused by the wet summer weather.

The Hammers expect Rob Mear to take his place in the line up after he spectacularly crashed out of the British Final, which took place at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook commented: “This is the time to hit form and, hopefully, we will do just that starting on Friday”.

With the new August averages coming into use they will see Rob Mear dropping back down to reserve for the Hammers where he joins young Aussie, Justin Sedgmen, who has recently been dropped by Redcar in the Premier League. Sedgmen will now be available for all of the Hammers fixtures during August.

Davey Watt continues to head the averages for the Hammers and will be joined in the top five by Finnish Champion Kauko Nieminen, who moves up from reserve, maximum man from the Hammers last home meeting, Swede Peter Karlsson, along with his fellow Swedes Jonas Davidsson and Kim Nilsson.

The Belle Vue Aces will be led by Australian Rory Schlein, who is joined by fellow Aussies Josh Grajczonek and Mark Lemon along with Dane Patrick Hougaard, Russian Renat Gafurov, Pole Artur Mroczka and Ales Dryml from the Czech Republic.

Friday’s Elite League action gets underway at the Arena Essex Raceway at 8pm but for fans who arrive early there will be an Anglian Junior League match between the Young Hammers and Ipswich, which will get underway at 7pm.

Admission prices are £17 for adults, £14 for Senior Citizens, Students and Disabled, £12 for Unemployed and 17 and 18 year olds and children aged 6 to 16 inclusive just £1 with children under the age of six admitted free of charge provided they are accompanied by a paying adult.

Proof of age or status may be requested. All tickets may be purchased on the night but, alternatively, they are also available in advance online via the Club’s website at www.lakesidehammers.co

Picture: Robert Mear of Lakeside Hammers leads the way – Lakeside Hammers vs Swindon Robins. CREDIT: Rob Newell/TGSPHOTO