Bullets back to full strength

Your GHT Bullets, powered by STS, will be a magnificent seven once again when they return to the track.

Ben Rathbone has been signed on a 28-day contract as a replacement for broken leg victim Archie Freeman.

The 26-year-old from Middlesbrough is no stranger, racing 26 times for us in 2021 and 2022 after making his National Development League debut with Belle Vue Colts in 2018. He will re-debut for the Bullets against Oxford Chargers on June 3.

Winter signing Freeman suffered a broken tibia and fibula on his Bullets’ debut at Belle Vue and since then the Bullets have operated rider-replacement for the teenager.

Bullets team manager Kevin Little said: “The last couple of meetings have shown that rider-replacement becomes almost impossible if you then suffer other misfortune such as the loss of guest Jason Garrod at Kent or Josh Embleton last weekend.

“Ben has plenty of experience at this level, especially at Shielfield Park where four of our remaining five fixtures are.

He was disappointed to miss out on a team place in the first place and determined to grab the opportunity.”

Rathbone finished the 2022 season with an average 4.07.

Josh Embleton missed Sunday’s trip to Workington after a spectacularly frightening heat two crash at Shielfield on Saturday left him suffering shoulder, back and rib pain.

He reports feeling “pretty banged up and hobbling around” but was able to return to work on Monday and has made physio appointments to ensure he is fit for next Saturday.

Ω The FTS Bandits, powered by Keenwood Karpets are back on your screens on 21 June when BSN will screen our visit to Birmingham with the build up to the racing beginning at 7pm.

Pictures: Nia Martin