BRITISH SPEEDWAY JANUARY 3, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

EDINBURGH will hand UK debuts to newcomers Lasse Fredriksen and Jacob Hook as part of a much-changed team for 2022.

Fredriksen was due to join the Monarchs for the cancelled season two years ago, and the Armadale side have also brought back James Sarjeant who lost his place in changes prior to the ’21 campaign.
Sam Masters, Josh Pickering and Kye Thomson are the three returning riders from last season, whilst the club have snapped up Paco Castagna after a successful spell with Birmingham.

 Manager John Campbell said: “Lasse has been waiting to join us for two years now, but has never deflected from his desire to ride for the Monarchs.
“I think it’s great that we have got James at reserve, he’s recovered almost completely from his crash at the end of last season, and I think he will do very well.

“We’ve picked on riders we think can improve their averages, and that’s how you win league titles.
“I actually think that even our top guys have a wee bit to go yet to add to their averages. I think our team is filled with riders who can improve their averages, and on that basis we will do very nicely.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

BELLE Vue’s newest NDL recruit Freddy Hodder is already counting down the days to his Colts debut at the National Speedway Stadium.
The 15-year-old picked up his passion for the sport from grandfather Fred, who raced in the 1960s, and took an instant liking to his new home track when he competed in last year’s British Youth Championship.

Hodder said: “When I got the message that I was in at Belle Vue, I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. I still don’t believe it to be honest, I don’t know how to describe the feeling.
“I first rode Belle Vue on a 250cc last year and when I arrived, I said to my dad that it would be an absolute dream for me to ride for this team.

“Now that dream has come true, it still hasn’t sunk in. To be riding with lads like the McGurks, like Nathan (Ablitt) is just unbelievable.
“I’m just so grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait for March to come around now. I’m so looking forward to the new season.”