The Birmingham Brummies have moved to snap up British legend Scott Nicholls ahead of Thursday’s (March 14, 7.30) opener at Oxford.
The seven-times British Champion will start the season with the Curtis Sport Brummies and will remain in the team until Piotr Pawlicki is fit to take his place following leg muscle damage.
Club CEO Nigel Tolley said: “First and foremost we’d like to thank Scott for stepping in at short notice and getting us out of a big hole.
“Because Piotr hasn’t yet made an appearance for Birmingham, the rules dictate and we aren’t granted a facility in terms of being able to use a guest.
“Therefore, we had to sign another rider who will go into our declared 1-7 ahead of our first meeting in a few days time.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say we must’ve looked at 30 or so riders.
“But there are so many complications with riders who are not based in the UK now it’s unreal.
“Whether that be with visas, travel, getting bikes here in time, each time we thought we were making progress we’d hit some sort of stumbling block.
“It’s well known that Scotty didn’t race in the Premiership full-time last season due to his broadcasting commitments within the sport.
“But with their fixtures not starting until next month, we’ve been able to agree a deal.
“As I’ve said before, we’ll be assessing the situation with Piotr on a day-by-day basis and while he was able to accept a last minute appointment for some treatment on Monday, Scott will be in the Brummies team for the trip to Oxford, a track he is very familiar with of course having ridden for them in the second division for the last couple of seasons.
“Only time will tell if Piotr will be ready or not for the first home meeting against Sheffield on (Monday) March 25, but if he isn’t, Scott is a big fan of the Perry Barr track and he’ll relish the challenge of facing the reigning Champions.
“Should we need him at Ipswich on March 28 then again, that is what it is and Foxhall Stadium is another place Scotty knows extremely well.
“Piotr is itching to get started with us at the earliest opportunity but in the meantime it’s great to have such an experienced head joining us at Brummies in Scott and we thank him for stepping in.”
