Somerset are the opponents for Smallmead's last-ever league meeting on Monday 8 September.
There is still more action to come in the weeks ahead, but the match-up against the Rebels signifies the final league fixture of thirty-four completed seasons for the Racers at their famous and much-loved venue.
Somerset have enjoyed a tremendous '08 campaign and the race for the Premier League Championship looks like being a straight shoot-out between them and the powerful Edinburgh outfit.
As at the end of August, Somerset boasted a 100 per cent home record, with fourteen wins out of fourteen matches, while on the road the Rebels had been victorious in four out of ten fixtures, their wins coming at Redcar (54-39), Newcastle (48-47), Mildenhall (55-37) and Stoke (45-43).
Significantly, though, Somerset were hammered 66-24 at Edinburgh on 29 August and, the following day, they went down 58-35 at Berwick. Maybe that has given the edge to the Scottish side, but only time will tell?
The side who race out of the Oak Tree Arena at Edithmead in Highbridge were the long-time league leaders, but they were recently displaced by the Monarchs in top spot. Then, when King's Lynn walloped the Isle of Wight 68-23 on Wednesday, the Stars leapfrogged them into second spot.
However, King's Lynn only have two remaining fixtures, whereas Edinburgh have five and Somerset, six.
In the Knock-Out Cup, the Rebels eased past Newcastle in the first round, before defeating our very own Racers at the quarter-final hurdle. Recently, they beat Rye House at the semi-final stage, winning 96-88 on aggregate to reach the final for a third successive season.
Racers' boss Malcolm Holloway commented: "The fixture against Somerset is the re-run of the meeting that was unfortunately curtailed after just one race on 10 August.
"Obviously, we are hoping for better luck with the weather on this occasion and, against one of the best sides in the Premier League this year, we are sure to see more terrific action.
"The Rebels still have a chance of winning the League Championship, so will certainly be up for the match.
"However, our home record has been good this year and we want to sign-off with a win from this last league fixture at Smallmead Stadium."
As a club, Reading Speedway is keen to get the children more involved this season. As a result, the pits will be open every week from 6.00 p.m. until 6.30 p.m., so that the youngsters can get autographs and have their photographs taken with the riders.
The Racers' management also want to run a slick show this year, so the parade will be taking place at 7.10 p.m. and, unless under extreme circumstances, the first race will start bang on 7.30 p.m.
READING RACERS
1. Mark Lemon (Captain, 7.61); 2. Tomas Suchanek (4.81); 3. Ulrich Ostergaard (10.11); 4. Chris Mills (5.39); 5. Tom P. Madsen (6.42); 6. A.N. Other (4.46); 7. Danny Warwick (4.46).
SOMERSET SHARP REBELS
1. Jason Doyle (9.83); 2. Simon Walker R/R (6.69); 3. Emil Kramer (Captain, 8.51); 4. Stephan Katt (6.57); 5. Jordan Frampton (6.46); 6. Matthias Kroger (5.91); 7. Brent Werner (5.57).
