The hard work starts now says Vortex Hammers boss

The Vortex Lakeside Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook says his team need to keep their feet on the ground and focus this week as the Poole Pirates visit in red hot Friday action at the Arena Essex Raceway.

Says Cook: “Rebuilding the team has overnight put us amongst the favourites and we now need to concentrate match by match and fulfil the full potential that is there for all to see”.

Fans will see the debut of new signing Kevin Doolan as well as the second appearance of fellow new boy Seb Ulamek. Supporters who purchased tickets for Monday’s home match against Coventry meeting are reminded that they need to bring those tickets with them on Friday to take advantage of the special £10 entry offer. They will need to enter the Raceway at the main double gates at the top of the approach road and NOT through the normal paybooths. Please be aware that only cash or cheques will be accepted at that gate for this offer.

Joining the new signings, Australian Kevin Doolan and Pole Seb Ulamek, in the Vortex Hammers team will be Australian Davey Watt, Pole Piotr Swiderski and Swede Peter Karlsson plus British riders Lewis Bridger and Richard Lawson.

The Poole Pirates will be led by Australian Chris Holder, who is the current World Speedway Champion. They also had four Polish riders in their team in Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Maciej Janowski, Dawid Stachyra and Robert Miskowiak although Miskowiak has decided to stop racing in this country and the Pirates will, therefore, utilise the ‘Rider Replacement’ facility to cover his rides.

Their Swedish rider, Thomas H Jonasson, will also miss the meeting after sustaining an injury whilst riding on the continent. His place, at reserve, will be taken by Leigh Lanham, who became a legend at the Arena Essex Raceway having ridden for the Hammers between 1998 and 2008. He now rides for his home town club Ipswich in the Premier League. The final member of the Poole team is Australian Rohan Tungate, who combines riding for the Pirates in the Elite League with Premier League action for Ipswich alongside Lanham.

Friday’s action gets underway at the Arena Essex Raceway, the home of the Vortex Lakeside Hammers at 8pm, with the Grand Parade of the riders scheduled for 7.50pm. With the weather forecast set to be hot and the opportunity of seeing the current World Champion, Chris Holder, in action a big crowd is anticipated so it is suggested that fans turn up to this event as early as possible.

Image: Heat 3: Seb Ulamek (red) and Piotr Swiderski (blue) – Lakeside Hammers vs Coventry Bees, Elite League Speedway at the Arena Essex Raceway, Pufleet – 03/06/13 –  CREDIT: Rob Newell/TGSPHOTO