WHILST the senior King’s Lynn team race at the Adrian Flux Arena, the club’s National Development Trophy side are also in action on Monday.

The Blueprint Construction Young Stars face their season opener at Birmingham, and it promises to be a close-fought encounter.

The Bulls have already raced once, defeating Leicester Fox Cubs 51-38 at Perry Barr, and they include one of the most experienced riders in the league in Darryl Ritchings, who was with the Young Stars back in 2014 but unfortunately missed most of the campaign due to injury.

The 30-year-old is making a speedway comeback this year after eight years away, whilst their side also includes three riders who won the equivalent National Development League with Leicester last season – Max James, Tom Spencer and Arran Butcher.

For the Young Stars, captain Jody Scott lines up at No.1 and will be paired with Harrison Rogers. Ashton Vale and Max Perry are in the middle order with Luke Harrison named at No.5, whilst Calum Mitchell and Cooper Rushen start at reserve.

Manager Jason Pipe said: “Having seen Birmingham’s score from when they beat Leicester, it’s certainly going to be a good tester for us to start with.

“I know Laurence (Rogers) will have his boys wound up for this one. Laurence and I have had some good battles as opposing team managers over the years gone by when we have both managed other teams, and they have been very interesting affairs.

“Yes, we are going to Perry Bar to win, and we do have a good chance of that, but if we don’t win, we have to make sure we keep the scores as tight as possible with an aggregate point now up for grabs over two meetings.

“It’s the school holidays and hopefully more parents will want to bring their children along, with no school the next day. It would be good not only for Birmingham as a club, but also good to see these riders riding in front of a decent crowd, as these riders deserve a decent crowd to race in front of, just as much as other riders at different levels in the sport.”

Supporters at the Adrian Flux Arena for the Stars v Leicester fixture in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership will be kept in touch with score updates from Perry Barr.

BIRMINGHAM: Tom Spencer, Arran Butcher, Sam McGurk, Darryl Ritchings, Max James, Senna Summers, Eli Meadows.
KING’S LYNN: Jody Scott, Harrison Rogers, Ashton Vale, Max Perry, Luke Harrison, Calum Mitchell, Cooper Rushen.