Ulamek is joined by wonder kid Ellis

Excitement is the name of the game as the Vortex Hammers have unveiled 17 year old whiz kid Adam Ellis as a surprise addition to the side alongside fellow new signing Seb Ulamek, with both riders first appearances brought forward to this Friday’s home clash against Coventry.

Fans were told of Ulamek’s signing last week and with the rider having a gap in his racing calendar to bring equipment over this week he will now come into the line up ahead of schedule.

Young Ellis has been champing at the bit to add to his lower league experience with that of Elite League racing and the Club will work with him over the initial meetings to make sure the time is right for him to step up and if it proves too early they will use the new June averages to look at other options.

Making way for the two new additions will be Robert Mear, who is joining Rye House, and, initially, Kim Nilsson, although the rider and Club have agreed that no final decision on Kim’s future will be made until the middle of June as, potentially, he can be reintroduced into the line up in time for the visit of Wolverhampton on Friday 21st June, having missed only two meetings should the Club decide he is a better option than other team members.

The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook explained: “Seb (Ulamek) is very keen to get started, as are we, and as he was travelling in this week anyway it seemed silly not to get him started straight away. Having looked at our options we really felt that the chance for our fans to see Adam (Ellis) in action was too good to miss. Whether it proves a brief cameo or for the rest of the season will depend on how he handles the step up but he is mad keen to give it a go and we are more than happy to fast track him. Significantly both Davey (Watt) and PK (Peter Karlsson) encouraged us to do this and they will give him every assistance.”

Jon Cook was also keen to stress that both Kim & Robert still have a big future at the Club and one, or both, may well still feature this year.

Cook continued: “I spoke with Robert (Mear) on Saturday when Rye House came on to us with a firm place and we think this is a timely move for him. He has had three meetings failing to beat an opponent sandwiched between a 10 paid 11 point score so clearly consistency is needed and being on his bike more can only help that.

As far as Kim (Nilsson) is concerned the break in fixtures due to Grand Prix weeks means we can get the best of both worlds in almost operating a squad system so, as the lower averaging of the top five riders, he will miss the next two meetings while we make up our minds on which is the best top five to take forward.

We are mindful of the fact that when Kim shines away we tend to win and we need to counter that with the greater consistency of other of his team mates at home. It’s a win, win situation for the Club though as it should keep everyone on their toes and we will make our final decision ahead of our big clash against Wolverhampton on 21st June.

I have to say both riders have been magnificent in the way they have taken the news and can only reiterate that they, along with Adam (Ellis), are the long term future of this Club.”

Images: (top) Heat 13: Sebastian Ulamek (yellow) ahead of Davey Watt – Lakeside Hammers vs Birmingham Brummies – Sky Sports Elite League Speedway at Arena Essex Raceway. CREDIT: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO

Adam Ellis (in riding action Arena Essex Raceway, Purfleet – 28/09/12 –  CREDIT: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO