LEICESTER Speedway would like to thank their departing riders, with their line-up for the 2024 Sports Insure Premiership campaign now confirmed.
The Watling JCB Lions have retained three members of the team from this year when they went agonisingly close to securing a play-off place in their first season back at the top level.
Max Fricke, Richard Lawson and Drew Kemp are all back for another season at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park, and they are joined by Ryan Douglas, Sam Masters and Luke Becker – who all come in from Wolverhampton – with Lion Cubs skipper Joe Thompson taking the Rising Star berth.
The club wish to give particular thanks to Australian duo Justin Sedgmen and Jake Allen, who were both ever-present with the Lions throughout 2023.
Both riders raised their Premiership averages with Sedgmen proving very effective in the No.2 berth as race partner with Max Fricke – and amongst several high-scoring displays at home was a 9+3 paid maximum from four rides in the mid-June win over Belle Vue.
Allen also raced in all of the Lions’ fixtures, recording identical averages home and away, with his highest score coming when he notched 9+1 in the final home fixture against King’s Lynn.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “It’s always difficult when you have to tell riders they are not in the plans for the following season, and Justin and Jake in particular were a big part of what we achieved this year.
“Justin’s form in the first half of the season especially was one of the main reasons why we went on our winning run, and he and Max often got us off to a good start in Heat 1.
“Jake was solid at reserve and he went from 4.00 to 4.33 which was a good effort in a tough league, and he very much did his job for us.
“They were both good to work with and we wish them well for their racing in 2024. They will be very welcome back at Leicester as and when they return in the future.”
*Leicester remind supporters that season tickets remain available priced at £242 (£220 concessions) to cover all 12 Premiership fixtures for 2024, and they include further benefits.
Season ticket holders will receive a centre-green experience and a personalised signed team photograph, as well as reduced admission of £6 to all Lion Cubs home fixtures in the National Development League.
All season ticket enquiries can be made by e-mailing lions@leicesterspeedway.com, or complete the online form at http://www.leicesterspeedway.com/season24_xyx.pdf .
