All set for Pairs shot
Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris will fly the R.E.D Bandits, powered by…
Bullets ready for Chargers’ test
Team manager Kevin Little says that the only way is up as the GHT Bullets, powered by STS, continue to enjoy their time in the Shielfield Park limelight.
They go into Saturday night’s visit by Oxford Chargers bottom of the eight-strong National Development League. But crucially five of their seven fixtures have been on the road this season and they are back at a full seven this weekend for the first time since lap one of their opening fixture at Belle Vue.
That ended with debutant Archie Freeman experiencing mechanical problems and colliding with team-mate Connor Coles, breaking both tibia and fibula in the crash.
Team-mates Mason Watson and Josh Embleton also crashed out at the National Speedway Stadium but a depleted Bullets’ side lost by only five points at title favourites Leicester the following night and put themselves in another strong position to win the aggregate point by holding Mildenhall to eight points at West Row.
Their first home outing was been the fog-shortened victory over Kent Royals although those lost heats proved crucial in the reverse fixture as Berwick, missing Watson and Embleton, not only lost heavily at Iwade but missed the aggregate point after a SuperHeat run-off.
Already running rider-replacement an injury to guest reserve Josh Garrod left the Bullets with no other option than fielding three riders in the closing stages of the meeting. It was a similar story as they suffered home-and-away defeats at the hands of Workington after losing Embleton in a spectacular heat two crash.
This week the club re-signed Ben Rathbone – a regular in the Bullets’ line-up over the previous two seasons – who makes his second debut for the club on Saturday.
“In itself there is nothing wrong with running rider-replacement, indeed it served us pretty well at Leicester and Mildenhall,” Little said.
“But you cannot afford to have any other misfortune such as losing more riders to injury and that is what cost us at Kent and against Workington.
“Throw in a couple of untimely engine blow-ups, a couple of debatable exclusions and suddenly we are on the bottom looking up rather than being in the mix for one of the end of season play-off places.
“Despite where we currently find ourselves I would say that there is plenty to be happy with, especially the form of Jamie Halder and Danny Phillips while Greg Blair and Connor Coles have also had some good battles with the opposition and Mason Watson was looking something like his old self against the Comets.
“Traditionally our away form has been patchy but, Kent aside, we have been in the mix and battling right to the end. Perhaps one or two have been surprised by our results but we are actually a bit disappointed not to have more points on the board.
“We always say it is not just about winning at this level but as much about rider development through track time and learning and there has been plenty to be positive about so far this season. I also feel that the best is yet to come from this group of riders.”
Visitors Oxford have also had a tricky start to the season losing Nathan Stoneman to a shoulder injury suffered while riding for the FTS Bandits, powered by Keenwood Karpets, and a wrist injury to livewire reserve Luke Killeen.
That was another Belle Vue heat one catastrophe, Oxford also falling foul to a red tape tangle which saw them denied the use of number one Jordan Jenkins.
Jenkins had taken a knock riding at Ipswich the previous night but had travelled north expecting to be given the nod to ride by the Manchester medical team only to find himself stood down for a compulsory concussion rest.
In his absence Oxford lost to the Colts and narrowly at Mildenhall but they have been perfect at home, gaining revenge against the Colts and easily finding their way past the highly-rated Leicester Lion Cubs.
Ryan Kinsley has been recruited to fill the hole left by Stoneman’s absence while Henry Atkins is benefitting from the opportunity to race in both NDL and Championship side with Oxford.
E-tickets for Saturday night are on sale now. Until midnight on Friday they cost £12(including booking fee), on the day admission by either e-ticket or cash £14. Accompanied under-16s are admitted free.
