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New captain King

compiled for Speedway Star

Mildenhall have named returning favourite Jason King as the new captain of the Fen Tigers and team manager Laurence Rogers feels it can only help the 21-year-old fulfil his underlying potential.

“I think it will do Jason the power of good to be honest” said Rogers at the club’s fans’ forum last Sunday, which followed on from a ‘closed doors’ practice session.

“The extra responsibility will help his belief as he’s a confidence rider. He’s spent a lot on his machinery this year, with Scandic clutches sponsored by Vic Clarke and Michael Lee engines, so he’s looking for a good year and the aim is to help him achieve that.

“The team discussed it between themselves at a meeting and felt Jason was the best candidate as he’s been here two years, knows the place very well and that would be advantageous to the team.

“He’s got some older heads around him and it will be very much a team element, with Tom P. Madsen as vice-captain helping him and Mario Jirout and Shaun Tacey’s knowledge to call on, there’s plenty of experience that can be drawn upon and we will be doing everything as one unit, as a team.”

And King is taking the new position in his stride. “I’m really looking forward to it, I think it will do my confidence the world of good. Laurence earmarked me for the position towards the end of last year, he thinks it will bring me on as a rider and I think it will as well” he said.

“The practice went good, I’ve got a new engine and that’s going well, it should be a good year. I want to be out of the reserve berth as quickly as possible and there’s no reason why I can’t challenge Kyle (Legault) and Mario for 1 or 3.”

The new team were put through their paces during the practice session and were set to do again at the press day on Wednesday.

Rogers added: “I think they all went very well, anyone can be world champion at practice, but they were putting together some good laps, some of the riders who will be riding together went out together and looked good and I think with the solid side we’ve got, we could be a surprise package.

“Two of our side haven’t ridden the track before. Tom P came to watch a couple of times last season and Mario had never seen the place before, in fact the first time he came back in he said, I shan’t use the exact words he said, was that it was ‘blooming small’! He’s used to the Pardibuce track in Czechoslovakia which is big and of course he’s been out of British speedway for a few years, but after a few outings he was fine around here.”

Legault Eyeing Sheffield Challenge

compiled for Cambridge Evening News

Mildenhall have made sweeping changes on and off the track since the end of last season, and finally their new-look 2007 side will take to the shale for the first time in Sunday’s curtain raising challenge against Sheffield at West Row (4.30pm start).

Only two of last year’s team that finished next to bottom in their maiden Premier League campaign have remained - with Jason King and Shaun Tacey joined by newcomers Czech international Mario Jirout, Canadian National Champion Kyle Legault, experienced Dane Tom P. Madsen and Brits Jamie Smith and Mark Thompson.

Sunday’s opener, which forms the first part of a two-legged contest for the ‘Top Tigers Trophy’ with the return leg at Sheffield next Thursday, will see 21-year-old Legault face his former club having switched from the Owlerton circuit to West Row over the winter.

He first appeared in the UK in 2005 at Sheffield and enjoyed two successful seasons there - culminating in them finishing runners-up in the League, Trophy and Pairs competitions last year. He is clearly not fazed by the prospect of competing against his ex-team-mates or having downsized his home track size from 361 to 260 metres.

“I find the track pretty good. I’ve done a lot with the set up, I’ve tried a few different things and I’ve got it pretty much down pat” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to Sunday, my bikes are working good and I feel focused coming into the first meeting of the season. The Mildenhall track is small but it rides like a big, fast track. It’s a lot slicker than what I’ve been riding the past two seasons over at Sheffield, but it’s nothing new to me, I’ve grown up riding small tracks so I don’t think it should be a problem.

“I know a lot of fans at Sheffield are looking forward to seeing me again and I am looking forward to that. It’s the first meeting so I just want to be able to go out and ride and get the cobwebs out, finish in one piece and with a few points.

“Mildenhall approached me around Christmas time with a decent offer and now it’s my job to make it worth their while. I’d like to be looking for the no.1 spot and one of my main goals for the season is making the Premier League Riders’ Championship, it would be a good confidence boost and top off the season on a high.”

The management structure has also undergone an overhaul with Simon Barton joining Mick Horton as co-promoter, Laurence Rogers installed as team manager and stadium owner Carl Harris looking after the commercial side of the club.

Rogers commented at Wednesday‘s press and practice: “The riders have all set themselves up, they’ve got their bikes how they want them, a lot of them have worked out the lines that they are going to take, so it’s just down to the real thing now on Sunday.

“Sheffield have got a very strong side again, they’re probably one of the favourites to come in at the top end, but a tough challenge home and away will be good measure for us.

“We’re being underestimated by a lot of people and I think that‘s great, please underestimate us at your peril. I think we have a very strong, solid line up, our aim is to either be up there in the play-offs (top four in the league), or failing that, the Young Shield, but the play-offs is the aim.”

Barton added: “It’s very exciting, the riders look good, though it’s hard to tell with just practice and we’ll see what the real competition brings on Sunday. It’s been eye opening in terms of the work involved but enjoyable.

“We wanted a good challenge, so we thought the team that was probably the second best team in the league last year and looking very strong again this year, would give us a chance to gauge exactly where we are and give the lads a good run out on their first competitive meeting for the Fen Tigers.”

Teams:
Mildenhall - 1.Mario Jirout, 2.Shaun Tacey, 3.Kyle Legault, 4.Jamie Smith, 5.Tom P Madsen, 6.Jason King (captain), 7.Mark Thompson

Sheffield - 1.Ricky Ashworth, 2.Joel Parsons, 3.Andre Compton (captain), 4.James Cockle, 5.Ben Wilson, 6.Paul Cooper, 7.James Birkinshaw

Captain King

compiled for Mildenhall Speedway

Mildenhall supporters got their first sight at the 2007 Fen Tigers side at the weekend as the team were introduced at the club’s fans’ forum on Sunday evening.

And they also announced that returning favourite, 21-year-old Jason King, will be the new captain this season following a hugely impressive 2006 campaign.

King commented: “I’m really looking forward to it, I think it will do my confidence the world of good. Laurence (Rogers) earmarked me for the position towards the end of last year, he thinks it will bring me on as a rider and I think it will as well.”

Team manager Laurence Rogers added: “He’s got some older heads around him and it will be very much a team element, with Tom P. Madsen as vice-captain helping him and Mario Jirout and Shaun Tacey’s knowledge to call on, there’s plenty of experience that can be drawn upon and we will be doing everything as one unit, as a team.”

The club held a practice session behind closed doors prior to the forum and Rogers declared himself happy with the exercise.

“I think they all went very well, anyone can be world champion at practice, but they were putting together some good laps, some of the riders who will be riding together went out together and looked good and I think with the solid side we’ve got, we could be a surprise package” he commented.

Press and supporters are reminded that the club’s press and practice session is being staged on Wednesday 14 March. Press interviews and photo opportunities will take place at midday, followed by practice at 1pm.

Tapes rise four days later for the first meeting of the season against Sheffield in a challenge fixture, at 4.30pm.

I Predict A Diet..

compiled for Speedway Star

Mildenhall co-boss Blayne Scroggins is shedding the pounds this coming season and is appealing for speedway supporters to help him in his battle against the bulge.

Scroggins overcame the odds to steer the club’s Conference League side to gaining much respect last year, but he faces a tougher challenge this summer as he bids to lose up to six stone to take heed of his doctor’s health warning and raise vital funds for underprivileged children.

And, as he explains, it was at his employers, Coca Cola Enterprises, where he works as Customer Development Representative, that he found his inspiration.

“I had been thinking about losing weight and my doctor strongly advised me to start doing so because my cholesterol is high and I need to do something” commented Scroggins, who will be working alongside Fen Tigers’ team manager Laurence Rogers this season.

“I will be eating mostly low fat foods - chicken, fish, vegetables, salads, so no more stopping at McDonalds, kebabs and fish and chips with Mick (Horton) coming home from speedway meetings!

“Every year at work we support a charity and after seeing this year’s presentation by KidsOut, I was inspired to help them so I decided this was the motivation that I needed to start losing weight and raising money for them.”

Kids Out was born in 1990 and as well as funding fun days out, it also identifies, researches, funds and delivers a range of activities and projects for disadvantaged children and young people all over the UK.

Last year they helped more than 5,200 children, and their families, towards the purchase of fun days out, UK holidays, activity breaks, toys and special play equipment.

“They are a small charity and it’s those that are often overlooked. My target is to raise £1000 and I have already received a good response from family, friends and work colleagues. I hope, through the Speedway Star, fans from all over the UK will help me reach my target and support such a worthwhile cause” continued Scroggins.

“They take the children, often from broken homes or in ill health, on days out to such places as Alton Towers, football matches and on canal boats. I hope to work with them and provide some VIP days out at Mildenhall where they will meet the riders and have a great time, and also look at doing the same at other tracks as well.”

Scroggins recently tipped the scales at 20 stone, 8 pounds and is asking for sponsorship per stone lost. He has set a deadline to lose his desired weight by August 1, so the pressure is already on! Those wishing to help should email him at bscroggins@ge.cokecce.com.

Further information on the Bedfordshire-based charity can be found at their website: http://www.kidsout.org.uk/

Huggy Back As Track Man

compiled for Mildenhall Speedway

Mildenhall have filled a vital position ahead of the new season with confirmation that established track curator Robert Huggins will be looking after the West Row circuit this year.

‘Huggy’, as he is more usually known, was involved in building the circuit in the early 1970s and has maintained strong links with the club ever since.

Problems with the track surface occasionally stole the headlines last season but the club have made swift moves to rectify that with the appointment of Huggy and working more closely with Dave Coventry of RDC Promotions - the Stock Car operation.

Co-Promoter Simon Barton said of the appointment: “We’re delighted to have someone of Huggy’s skill and expertise looking after the track. It’s no secret we had some problems with it last year, but we’re confident with Huggy on board that he will make a big difference and we will have a consistent and good quality track.

“We would like to thank Dave Coventry for his co-operation and he is looking forward very much to working with Huggy.”

Team manager Laurence Rogers, who appointed Huggy to maintain the track during Shaun Tacey’s Testimonial last season, said: “Huggy is not only the best track man in the country, but he’s also like an extra signing for the team.”

Huggy, who lives in Mildenhall and has been the West Row track curator often in the past, has maintained the tracks at King’s Lynn, Oxford, Peterborough and a couple of Grand Prix meetings staged at Hackney. He added that he has turned down offers from two Elite League clubs to take up the role with the Fen Tigers.