Lakeside 2017

[Sings4Speedway]

It's tomorrow lol

 

Whoops. Days definitely out / wishing it was almost the bank holiday weekend.

[sussex bulldog]

Speedway legend Lee Richardson is remembered on Good Friday when the Eastbourne Eagles begin their 2017 campaign.

The IT First Eagles take on the Lakeside Hammers home and away for the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy.

Lee, from Hastings, rode for both clubs and lost his life in a speedway racing crash in Poland.

The meeting at the Eagles’ Arlington Stadium, just off the A22 at Hailsham, begins at 7.30ppm.

The first leg at Lakeside’s Arena Essex track, near the Dartford crossing, gets under way at 1pm.

Eastbourne will be a full strength and led by new captain Georgie Wood. Newcomer Mark Baseby takes the number one race jacket with support from Connor, Coles, Mattie Bates, Kelsey Dugard, Tom Brennan and Charley Powell.

Lakeside, who dropped to the National League this season, have a power-packed top two in Ben Morley and Zak Wajtknecht.

Support is from former Eagle David Mason, Alfie Bowtell, George Hunter and Nick Laurence. The final team member is due to be announced 24 hours before the meetings start.

IT First Eagles chairman Martin Dugard said the two Easter matches were a fitting tribute to Lee, who was loved by fans at both tracks and across Europe.

“Lee was as good as the best on his day. He was a great professional and a perfect ambassador for speedway.”

Eastbourne team manager Connor Dugard said the club had high ambitions this year and wanted to win the league, having finished second in 2015 and 2016.

“We have made it clear what the targets are and we want to get off to the best possible start by putting one over our old rivals.

“This used to be the traditional Easter fixture for both clubs and it is great to have back on the calendar.

“Our boys are ready and can’t wait to start racing.”

[Guest]

LAKESIDE HAMMERS PRESS RELEASE:

 

Zach qualifies for British U21 Final

Hammers star Zach Wajtknecht safely qualified through to the British U21 final, after finishing runner up at the semi-final in Peterborough.

The Bristol born racer, finished his fifth programmed ride on 12 points, missing out on victory on the evening to James Shanes on count back. The final takes place Poole on April 26th.



Fellow Hammer Alfie Bowtell unfortunately failed to qualify (3pts), despite starting his night with an opening heat victory.

RESULT:

BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI FINAL, at Peterborough

1. James Shanes (Poole) 12 2. Zach Wajtknecht (Swindon / Lakeside) 12 3. Connor Mountain (Ipswich / Mildenhall) 12 4. Danny Phillips (Newcastle / King’s Lynn) 11 Jack Smith 10, Ellis Perks 9, Nathan Greaves 9, Danyon Hume 9, Nathan Stoneman 8, Luke Harris 7 All qualify for the British Under-21 Final Josh Bailey 6, Danno Verge 5, Alfie Bowtell 3, Kelsey Dugard 2, Jack Thomas 2, Jamie Halder 2, Kyle Bickley (Reserve) 1

LAKESIDE HAMMERS PRESS RELEASE:

 

Lakeside Hammers Speedway Press Release

 

Hammers ready for action!
The Vortex Lakeside Hammers are revving up for a new era of speedway action at the Arena-Essex Raceway.

The club are hosting their press and practice day on Thursday before hosting old rivals Eastbourne Eagles in the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy on Friday (1pm).

Entry to press and practice on Thursday is via the Go Kart entrance behind the Raceway Tavern at 11am and the Vortex Hammers, led by new skipper Ben Morley, will be available for interviews and photographs.

They’ll then take to the track to go through their paces and the club will also select their final team member at reserve. All fans are welcome

A bumper crowd is expected for Friday’s meeting in memory of one of the club’s all-time great riders. Lee Richardson also raced for Eastbourne and the fifth anniversary of his passing following a crash in Poland is fast approaching.

Hammers co-boss Jon Cook said: “Lee cut his young speedway teeth on the old junior track at Eastbourne, his local track and spent a season with the club.

“He went on to join the Hammers and went on to captain our team before his tragic death racing in Poland five years ago, how quickly time passes.”

Friday’s meeting will also see some demonstration BMX riding from representatives of Braintree Bullets.

FRIDAY’S TEAMS:

LAKESIDE: Ben Morley, George Hunter, David Mason, Alfie Bowtell, Zach Wajtknecht, Nick Laurence, TBC.

EASTBOURNE: Mark Baseby, Kelsey Dugard, Connor Coles, Mattie Bates, Georgie Wood, Charley Powell, Tom Brennan.

Edited April 12, 2017 by Guest

[Islander15]

P&P today plus number 7 try outs. Was/is anybody there? Who were the riders trying for a team place and who looked the most impressive?

I saw that 10 riders are supposed to be there trying out.

[Sings4Speedway]

I saw that 10 riders are supposed to be there trying out.

 

Nice problem to have. Hopefully a decent group rather than the good, bad & ugly

[eaglesno1]

Ryan Macdonald confirmed as the last rider

[Sings4Speedway]

Ryan Macdonald confirmed as the last rider

 

Congratulations to Mac. Big dedication to complete that journey every week (and some hefty travelling expenses for the club). Could anybody confirm the other 9 who tried out today?

[Islander15]

MacDonald is probably the best MDL style rider still unattached, but I thought Lakeside were going to go down a different route and sign a newbie to the league that they'd unearthed.

[teaboy279]

I thought they would of snapped up Couzins.

[liam]

Iam sure they snapped up the best rider on the day.

[Islander15]

Iam sure they snapped up the best rider on the day.

He probably was, I don't doubt that and I said that. He's often been useful, if not spectacular in the NL. Both the Hammers reserves will finish on averages around 3.50 to 4.00 imo.

[waco]

Cousins was the best of the team place riders, Mcdonald looked good going round the bends but was shutting right off half way down the straights,,What were they looking at??????????

[liam]

Cousins was the best of the team place riders, Mcdonald looked good going round the bends but was shutting right off half way down the straights,,What were they looking at??????????

I have seen a few comments now saying this about all of the riders except Ben and Zach? Can see me going tomorrow and that's if if that is the case.

[Moleman27]

Yeah but many riders will struggle first time they experience Lakesides track, is always an advantage at first. However against Eastbourne you will have a team who knows very much how to ride it.

[Islander15]

I have seen a few comments now saying this about all of the riders except Ben and Zach? Can see me going tomorrow and that's if if that is the case.

Riders are going to find Lakeside's track difficult at first. You just need to give them chance.

[Guest]

Lakeside Hammers Speedway Press Release

Hammers V Eagles Preview

Lakeside boss Kelvin Tatum admits they have been counting down the days to their blockbuster season-opener against Eastbourne on Good Friday.

The Vortex Hammers will renew their old rivalry with the Eagles as they do battle twice over the course of the day.

The two sides will meet at the Arena-Essex Raceway at 1pm before heading down to Arlington for the second leg at 7.30.

With the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy up for grabs, supporters are set to be in for some exciting action.

And Tatum says they can’t wait to finally get a new era for the club underway on a busy day of action.

“We’ve been looking forward to this weekend for some time,” Tatum said. “It’s a great way to kick-off the season, against the old enemy, and it’s looking like being a fantastic day.

We don’t have any real idea of where we stand at the moment, so we should come out of Friday with a better idea of how we stack up in the scheme of things.

The weather forecast is looking clear, and with both teams battling for the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy I’m sure we’ll get two very entertaining meetings.”

Meanwhile, the Hammers will hand Ryan MacDonald their No.7 race jacket after the Scottish youngster impressed at their press and practice day on Thursday.



Tatum commented: “Ryan showed good pace, and he improved with every lap at a tricky circuit which was new to him. His pace was very encouraging, and the fact he’s made the effort to come all the way from Glasgow shows how much he wants to ride for the club

We’ll give him the No.7 race jacket for this weekend against Eastbourne, and then we’ll take things from there.”

VORTEX LAKESIDE HAMMERS:

Ben Morley, George Hunter, David Mason, Alfie Bowtell, Zach Wajtknecht, Nick Laurence, Ryan MacDonald.

EASTBOURNE IT FIRST EAGLES:

Mark Baseby, Kelsey Dugard, Connor Coles, Mattie Bates, Georgie Wood, Charley Powell, Tom Brennan

Edited April 15, 2017 by Guest

[waco]

Looks like a weekend trial for Ryan Macdonald i hope he does well..I also hope they give Jamie Couzins a similar opportunity sooner rather than later...personally i think he would do better than Nick Lawrence ....

Edited April 14, 2017 by waco

[lewy]

Well your predictions are terrible: Birmingham won't be top nor will Cradley Kings Lynn form away from home has always been disasterous Plymouth have the weakest second strings and 3rd heat leader in the league your only close with mildenhall. I think once eastbourne win the challenge against lakeside you will see which team will excel this year

Oh dear😂😂

[Guest]

Lakeside Hammers Speedway Press Release

Hammers duo shine in Trophy defeat

Brilliant British youngster Zach Wajtknecht has already formed a formidable partnership with Ben Morley at Lakeside.

Bristol-based Wajtknecht, who is also racing for Premiership side Swindon this season, dropped just one point to an opposing rider over two meetings with Eastbourne on Good Friday.

Sadly for the Vortex Hammers, they didn’t have enough strength in depth to win the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy despite a home win in the opening meeting of the season at the Arena-Essex Raceway which pulled in a bumper crowd.

The leading duo piled up a paid total of 58-points over the two meetings but Hammers missed out to a stronger lower Eagles order.

Said Wajtknecht: “For me to drop only one point over two meetings is very, very pleasing.

Ben was brilliant too, we scored a lot of points between us for the team and it’s a great way for me to start the National League season.

I’m fairly happy with my start to the season overall, now I have to keep it going.”

The Vortex Hammers go to Kent in more challenge action on Monday (3pm) before the return at Arena-Essex next Friday at 8pm.

LEE RICHARDSON MEMORIAL TROPHY, 1st leg

LAKESIDE 48: Ben Morley 15, Zach Wajtknecht 13+2, David Mason 11, Nick Laurence 3, Ryan MacDonald 2+1, Alfie Bowtell 2+1, George Hunter 2.

EASTBOURNE 42: Tom Brennan 9+2, Matt Bates 9, Georgie Wood 8, Mark Baseby 7, Connor Coles 4+4, Charley Powell 3+1, Kelsey Dugard 2+1.

LEE RICHARDSON MEMORIAL TROPHY, 2nd leg

EASTBOURNE 51: Tom Brennan 10+1, Georgie Wood 9, Connor Coles 8+2, Mark Baseby 7, Charley Powell 6+3, Matt Bates 6+1, Kelsey Dugard 5+2.

LAKESIDE 39: Zach Wajtknecht 14, Ben Morley 12+2, Alfie Bowtell 7, George Hunter 2+1, David Mason 2+1, Nick Laurence 2, Ryan MacDonald 0.

Eastbourne win 93-87 on aggregate

Image: Ben and Zach celebrate their heat 15 5-1 at Eastbourne

Edited April 15, 2017 by Guest

[Loyal hammer]

Plenty of positives to take from the opening two challenge matches. Ben and Zach both looking classy. A good home meeting from David Mason. A good away meeting from Alfie shows he has plenty of promise. An unfortunate day for George but im sure we'll soon see what he's capable of. Be interesting to see how the reserves fair against Kent next week. With Kelvin at the helm, I'm confident we're going to have a good, competitive season.