KING’S Lynn co-promoter Dale Allitt believes the Premiership is heading for its best season yet.
With racing getting underway later this month, expectations within British Speedway are at their highest level in years, with a host of stars of the shale sport returning to race in the UK.
The last week has seen the Stars’ major rivals Ipswich and Peterborough both make big moves, with the Witches landing the signature of the spectacular Emil Sayfutdinov, who actually made his British debut at King’s Lynn in 2011 when he rode for Coventry.
Neither Sayfutdinov nor Danish great Nicki Pedersen, who has joined the Panthers, have raced in this country since that ’11 campaign, and their presence will add plenty of spice to the local clashes.
Elsewhere, with British Grand Prix winner Dan Bewley back in the league at Belle Vue, Sheffield keeping the bulk of their Cup-winning 2022 team and adding French ace David Bellego, and newcomers Leicester showing plenty of ambition by signing the likes of Max Fricke, Chris Harris and ex-Stars man Richard Lawson, the competition will be strong.
But the Stars themselves have high hopes and undoubtedly track a key man themselves in Krzysztof Kasprzak, the Pole who was World No.2 at his peak and still has the ability to rack up serious points.
And Lynn’s strength in depth is also likely to be a big factor, with Frederik Jakobsen almost certain to be an ultra-powerful reserve in the early weeks.
Allitt said: “I think this the most exciting season in many years when you look at the riders who are going to be in this league.
“It’s great to have the likes of Sayfutdinov, Pedersen, Bewley, Kasprzak and so on back, along with the likes of Jason Doyle, Jack Holder and Max Fricke.
“We’ve been very limited in rider availability over the last few years, especially following the pandemic, and it’s great that things have now opened up again and that these riders want to come here.
“There are attractive draw-cards in all seven teams, and I think we’re going to be in for some fantastic racing.
“From our own perspective, we’re going into the season confident. We’ve had our plans in place for some time, and preparations are all taking place as expected.
“We believe our line-up can compete strongly. It was disappointing to miss out on the play-offs last year but the building blocks for the future were there, and this year we want to see that come together.”
The MacInnes Stars kick off their competitive campaign at home to Sheffield in the KO Cup on Thursday March 30, but also host the Ben Fund Bonanza at the Adrian Flux Arena on March 25.
