Banking on a speedway spectacular

By Bryan Copland.

REVVED-up Richie Worrall is banking on some spectacular speedway at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium this year - starting with the season opener on Sunday.

The former Newcastle starlet, 24, will make his debut for the Tigers against Elite League Coventry Bees.

Worrall can't wait to grace his new home because he loves he sloped bends that leave the circuit open to great racing.

And he thinks it'll be the perfect track for visiting Grand Prix star Chris 'Bomber' Harris, who is one of several stars travelling north with the top-flight side.

Worrall said: "I'm excited about it. It's a track that I do really like.

"I've had some of my best races around Glasgow. You can race on it. There are a lot of tracks that aren't very good for racing - but Glasgow produces good racing and I like racing.

"You don't get the banking that you get at Glasgow too often at a track. It does make it a hell of a lot more fun to ride.

"It makes getting close to that fence a lot easier because you're going uphill. It pulls you down a little bit, but you've got more control than what you would on a flat corner.

"As you see week-in, week-out, riders get so close to that fence looking for traction. You can do it there - the banking allows it.

"If you get out on the track and race with someone who's a good racer, it's such a good feeling, and at Glasgow I get that feeling.

"I reckon the track will suit Bomber down to a T - he's got that leg back style. He's a good all-rounder anyway, though, because he has a lot of experience.

"I'm interested to see how their Poles go, because it'll be new for them. They'll be interesting. And obviously James Sarjeant knows his way around.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I reckon we have a good chance."

Worrall, who made the play-offs with Somerset last year, admits there could be a few hairy moments in a team full of riders who aren't afraid to chase the dirt line.

However, he added: "All the lads are looking good. We might hit one or two problems with people getting in each other's way, but we're all racers and we're all going to out there and give 110%.

"And don't forget - we're all going for that No 1 jacket. We are a top-heavy team, but looking back at the way Edinburgh have done it in the last few years, they've always had a good top four that have gone and got the double-figures. That confidence is bound to help the other lads.

"I really do like the way Stewart Dickson works as team manager - he was a big attraction. He wants to win as much as we do. He's passionate about his team, passionate about his job, and passionate about winning."

Worrall will line up at No 2, partnering Richard Lawson in a potent opening pairing for the Tigers. Of the other debutants, Ben Barker starts at No 3 with Nike Lunna at 4, Coty Garcia at 6 and Danny Ayres at 7. Captain Aaron Summers is No 5.

The Bees will be lead by former World No 2 Krzysztof Kasprzak of Poland, with Harris at No 5. Kazprzak's partner will be his fellow countryman Kacper Woryna, with English pairing Danny King and 2015 Tiger Sarjeant at 3 and 4 respectively. The Bees will have Liam Carr and Martin Knuckey, of their Coventry Storm National League side, at reserve.