Nothing Minor About Morris
WHEELIE king Nick Morris plans to spend the rest of the speedway season on one wheel - after claiming Glasgow's top racejacket.
WHEELIE king Nick Morris plans to spend the rest of the speedway season on one wheel - after claiming Glasgow's top racejacket.
The 20-year-old Australian will tomorrow (Friday) become one of the club's youngest-ever No 1 riders after racing to the top of the club averages.
Morris starts his new role on Sunday as the Tigers take on Rye House Rockets in their first Premier League fixture of the season.
And the former Somerset man - whose spectacular wheelies have become his trademark celebration after a race victory - says he's in better shape than ever.
He said: "I've just been taking every meeting as it comes and trying to do the best I can. I'm happy to be moving up to No 1 - hopefully we can stay solid and finish the season strong.
"I feel better than I ever have at the moment. I've just got to stay consistent and win races - that's my plan. It's been going OK so far, so I've just got to keep it up."
Morris began his career with Glasgow back in 2010 and returned to the club as one of their marquee winter signings, when the Tigers came under the ownership of Michael and Gerry Facenna, of Allied Vehicles.
He won the 2011 Premier League title with the Tigers and believes they're in even better shape now.
"I'm happy to be back," he said. "What they've done to the place is awesome and I have some really good memories from when I used to be here. What they've done is exactly what they needed and the whole setup is good now.
"I think everyone's a bit happier now with everything that's gone on and the whole atmosphere here is really good. The crowds have been better and everything the new owners have done has added to the atmosphere."
Morris now hopes that a second title is on the cards - but insists his side won't be complacent against the Rockets at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium on Sunday.
He said: "If you underestimate anyone, they'll beat you - so you've got to treat them like anyone else. As long as everyone does what we know they can, we'll be all right. I think if we can all click on the same day, we'll be untouchable.
"It's still early days and all the boys are still getting dialled in, including myself. I'm trying a few different things at home to try and go as fast as I can.
"It's a long season, so there's no point in rushing into it and going crazy to start with. All the boys are strong and there are good signs of what they're capable of. The longer the season goes on, the better they're all going to get."
The new averages will mean a reshuffling of the Tigers pack, with Richard Lawson now filling one of the other heatleader berths at No 3 or 5, along with captain Aaron Summers - but both James Sarjeant and Victor Palovaara remain at reserve.
The visitors on Sunday will bring with them plenty of Ashfield experience in 2014 Tiger Kasper Lykke, and are led by former Team GB star Edward Kennett at No 1.
The match starts at 3pm.