SPEEDWAY newcomers Dudley Heathens have completed their 2010 squad with the double swoop of teenage stars Tom Perry and Darryl Ritchings.

Heathens, carrying the famous name associated with the old Cradley Heath club, will be sharing their home meetings between Perry Barr at Birmingham and Wolverhampton's Monmore Green.

Wolverhampton-born Perry is a fine Grass-Track rider but is keen to try his hand at the shale sport and will start the season in the Heathens’ reserve berth with James Sarjeant.

He turned 17 last month and last year became the youngest ever competitor in the British Masters Grass event.

And he raced in France in August against some top Long Track riders finishing third behind Theo Pijper and Stephane Trésarrieu.

Ritchings, meanwhile, rode a handful of meetings for Newport and at one stage seemed destined to return to the Hornets for this season but linked up with Will Pottinger’s men instead.

Said Pottinger: “Tom is a bit of an unknown quantity in speedway terms but he comes recommended by a number of people including our captain Lee Smart.

“As for Darryl, I haven't seen a great deal of him as he only rode a few meetings for Newport towards the end of last season but those meetings will have given him an idea what the National League is all about."

Heathens open their exciting new campaign at Birmingham against the USA Dream Team on Wednesday, April 7. Their first league outing is against Buxton on Tuesday, April 13, at Wolverhampton.

Meanwhile the brilliant new range of Heathens merchandise is now available – and fans can view and buy items online!

The full range is available, along with information on the forthcoming pre-season party with skipper Lee Smart and Steve Bull, and the Simon Cross night, at the club’s website dudleyspeedway.com

Tom Perry

Darryl Ritchings

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