Premier League
Reading Speedway: Smith/Warwick to return on Monday?
By Admin
May 14, 2008, 19:45

Pulsating Premier League action is again on the agenda at Smallmead Stadium on Monday 19 May, when Reading square-up to a Redcar side who will be making their first-ever visit to the Berkshire raceway.

And making the occasion that extra bit special, the visiting line-up includes former World Champion, Gary Havelock.

The meeting is generously sponsored by Arcadia, who have been involved with Reading Speedway for a number of years now.

Following a hectic spell earlier in the month, the Racers will go into the meeting having had a week's break since their demolition job on Sheffield last time out at Smallmead.

Ahead of the action, the good news is that Jamie Smith will be making a welcome return to the saddle against the Bears. The Peterborough-born rider suffered mild concussion after crashing in heat two of the home match against the Isle of Wight on 5 May and X-rays revealed a hairline fracture above his eyebrow. However, after going for a further scan, the Racers' reserve has happily reported that he is now fit to resume racing.

The club is also hoping for good news from Danny Warwick following a visit back to hospital this week. Reading's other reserve rider has been recuperating since suffering a broken shoulder during the home leg of the Knock-Out Cup encounter with King's Lynn on 28 April, but, like Smith, was hoping for some similar good news from a CT scan.

Racers' boss Malcolm Holloway commented: "Obviously, it would be great if both of our reserves are fit to return, as it has been so difficult finding suitable replacements for them in recent matches.

"No disrespect to anyone, but there is nothing like having your own seven riders out on track. The reserves play such a key role in modern-day speedway and we have missed the scoring potential of Jamie and Danny.

"Looking to Monday's match, I am expecting more of the same high-quality action that we have witnessed in recent weeks, as the Bears have an attractive and solid-looking line-up.

"Most certainly, the decision to participate in the Premier League this year was the right one for Reading. We have seen fabulous racing on a regular basis and there is great variety with all the different teams."

After the demise of speedway at Cleveland Park, Middlesbrough in 1996, the return of the sport to Teesside moved a major step closer on 1 December 2005, when work began on a new track at the South Tees Motorsports Park.

Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough FC was subsequently on hand to formally open Redcar Speedway on 13 April 2006, when a gate of 4,000 saw the Bears lose 46-44 to Sheffield in a Premier Trophy fixture.

In two seasons of activity prior to this year, Redcar have finished their league programme in sixth (2006) and ninth (2007) positions, and they concluded the latter campaign in fine style by battling through to the Young Shield Final and winning the trophy, courtesy of an aggregate 95-84 victory over Birmingham.

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.