THE ROBINS return to action on Thursday evening when they entertain the high flying Lakeside Hammers in an Elite league b encounter.
THURSDAY 15TH MAY SWINDON VS LAKESIDE
PARADE 7.20 - HEAT ONE 7.30PM
European Grand Prix winner Leigh Adams will front the Swindon charge as the Robins entertain Elite League high flyers the Lakeside Hammers at Blunsdon on Thursday 15th May.
Swindon will be hoping to bolster their position at the top of the Sky Sports Elite League in what is their first home Elite League B clash of the season.
The opposition arrive at Blunsdon brimming with confidence after a succession of impressive performances has seen their title charge spring into life.
Under the fresh thinking promotion of film director Stuart Douglas and his dependable side kick, Jon Cook, the Lakeside Hammers continue to make significant progress, both on and off the race-track.
Their 2008 side brings together an array of exciting riders that many within the sport see as being capable of challenging for Elite League glory. The club have started their campaign very well and at the time of writing have won five of their eight elite league matches.
An impressive away win at Wolverhampton in April and an unbeaten home league campaign in 2008 has helped bolster the Hammers league points tally. The club are undoubtedly main contenders to make the end of season playoffs for the first time in their Elite League history.
VISITORS FACTFILE: LAKESIDE HAMMERS
Jonas DAVIDSSON
DOB: 7 August 1984, Motala, Sweden.
DAVIDSSON remains a Swindon asset, although he hasn’t ridden for the club since 2005. He has since ridden for Poole and Reading, before linking with Lakeside this season in what many in the sport see as an intelligent move for both rider and club. His fantastic form in Sweden and Poland has never quite been replicated in Britain, but there is a genuine hope that the twenty-three-year-old will overcome his enigmatic tag this term.
Andreas JONSSON
DOB: 3 September 1980, Hallstavik, Sweden.
THE Swedish international is undoubtedly one of the most exciting riders in world speedway. He collected two Grand Prix victories in 2007 and spent the latter part of the season riding in Britain with Lakeside. ‘AJ’ first came to the UK in 1998 with Coventry and captured the World Under-21 Championship in 2000. He is tipped by many to be a future World Champion and has begun his 2008 Grand Prix season very well.
Ricky KLING
DOB: 2 June 1987, Mallila, Sweden.
HIGHLY-rated youngster, who initially joined the Hammers mid-way through last year. He performed well enough to earn a recall in 2008 and has the ability to make real progress in the Elite League this season, having started the campaign from a reserve berth. His British speedway career began at Oxford in 2007, but their unfortunate demise paved the way for him to join Lakeside and his scores ever since have certainly caught the eye.
Joonas KYLMAKORPI
DOB: 14 February 1980, Stockholm, Sweden.
AFTER enduring a 2007 campaign that was blighted by injury, the flamboyant Finnish racer (who was actually born in Sweden) returned to Lakeside on an attractive average. He has been affiliated with the Hammers for some time and, indeed, lines up in 2008 for his third successive season with the Thurrock-based club. Previous to that, Kylmakorpi spent the latter part of 2005 at Coventry, where he was an integral component of the Bees side that romped to the Elite League title.
Leigh LANHAM
DOB: 15 August 1977, Ipswich, Suffolk.
LONG-serving Hammer, who, remarkably, has again linked with the Essex side for an eleventh successive season. Not surprisingly, Lanham is a real track specialist at the Lakeside circuit and is one of the league’s most reliable second-string riders. His previous Abbey Stadium form is varied, but the experienced British rider has the ability to conjure fast starts and bag a few points.
Adam SHIELDS
DOB: 8 February 1977, Kurri-Kurri, New South Wales, Australia.
DEPENDABLE Australian, who sports the Hammers’ colours for a second successive campaign. Shields moved to Lakeside on a full transfer in 2007, after previously spending three successful seasons with Eastbourne. He cut his British speedway teeth with the Isle of Wight and represented the Island outfit when he collected victory in the 2002 Premier League Riders’ Championship. A typically tenacious Aussie, whose past Blunsdon performances have been very impressive.
Lubos TOMICEK
DOB: 14 March 1986, Prague, Czech Republic.
CZECH international, who has made real progress during his British career and continues to impress in the Elite League. The youngster first came to these shores in 2003 with Oxford and the twenty-two-year-old has since gained plenty of experience at top-flight and Premier League level. He hails from a family steeped in speedway history and is a third generation rider, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were international competitors.
SWINDON MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD
Thursday’s Swindon man of the match is kindly sponsored by T4 cameras.
T4 Cameras has been in operation for 14 years and has proudly served discerning photographers in Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire throughout this period.
The key company objective is to sell good quality photographic equipment at highly competitive prices. The company continues to prides itself on the friendliness and enthusiasm such a well run family business offers.
As a company, T4 cameras are always striving to improve their service. Indeed, all of their staff retain an avid interest in photography and will be happy to answer any photographic queries as well as providing sound advice.
Whether you are an experienced photographer or just starting out, you are assured of a warm welcome in any of their three stores, alternatively you can utilize their excellent mail order service.
Thinking about purchasing a new camera? Then why not call in at 13 Market Street Swindon, or call them on 01793 52332 or www.t4cameras.co.uk
VIP PACKAGES
Swindon Speedway pride themselves in offering one of the best VIP packages in sport, where both the ardent fan and the complete newcomer can enjoy a superb evening of fast and furious entertainment, alongside exclusive pre-meeting pit-walks, and a table in the newly refurbished Legends’ Lounge.
Bookings for these packages have increased year-on-year and already a large number of companies have booked team nights out and meeting sponsorships for the 2008 season. Tickets are available by calling Commercial Manager Paul Oughton on 01305 755607 or via e-mail at: paul.oughton@swindon-speedway.co.uk
TEAMS FOR THURSDAY 15TH MAY, Parade 7.20 p.m.; Tapes-up 7.30 p.m.
SWINDON ROBINS (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Leigh Adams (Captain, 10.67); 2. James Wright (5.08); 3.Mads Korneliussen (8.43); 4. Travis McGowan (4.62); 5. Troy Batchelor (7.11) 6. Theo Pijper (3.70); 7. Seb Alden (3.84). Team manager: Alun Rossiter.
SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.
SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE BY CHRIS SEAWARD
SWINDON SPEEDWAY PRESS OFFICER
EMAIL: CHRIS@SWINDON-SPEEDWAY.CO.UK
TEL: 07788991473
OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE: www.swindon-speedway.co.uk
OFFICIAL CLUB HOTLINE: 09068 664682 (Premium rate applies)
