Workington Speedway Promoter Andrew Bain urges Workington as a town to come out in force in 2025 to support what he thinks is a “formidable” team.
Bain emphasises the importance of the support of the local area in 2025 as the GT Tyres Comets promotion has secured an exciting, young and all-action lineup for next season.
GT Tyres Comes team boss James Denham said:
“We are all really pleased with what the team we have built for 2025, and once again we really do think this will be a competitive team next season.”
“Batch [Troy Batchelor] had a fantastic year for us last season, he rejuvenated his passion for the sport and enjoyed his speedway again with us. He was also great with the riders and fans alike last year and really stepped up to the occasion in the big meetings such as Berwick and Redcar when we were chasing the playoffs and were down on numbers.”
“With in that in mind, it was an obvious decision to make him the captain for next season. I think he has some solid backup as well, Tate [Zischke] and Antti [Vuolas] will know what to expect of all the away tracks now and Jye [Etheridge] is already vastly experienced in the UK. Also Vinnie [Foord] along with Jacob Hook will probably be one of the strongest reserve duos in the league.”
“Fraser Bowes will also come over to us with a vast amount of experience on the continent to make his British Speedway debut, but like Tate and Antti last year there will need to be a few meetings where he gets up to speed in the UK.”
Workington Speedway promoter Andrew Bain sheds some light on some tough decisions made for 2025:
“We had to make some tough decisions in our team-building process for next season and Craig Cook was definitely one.”
“We knew that we wanted two stronger reserves than we had last year for next season and unfortunately it came down to numbers. Craig did great for us last season, he seemed to be enjoying his speedway again which was brilliant to see and he was also a fantastic captain but it was a decision that had to be made and we didn’t take it lightly. We all wish him well with Berwick next season.”
Bain says he is hugely satisfied at the end result for next season:
“Last year we spiced up the league massively with the arrivals of Tate, Antti and Celina which was everyone’s talking point before the start of the season due to the unknowns in the team. I think there will be bit of that next season as well, and not just with our team, we are already seeing other clubs follow what we did last season and look to other countries for riders – which is a good thing.”
“Of course there is risk – but risks can pay off in rewards. We are sure this team will be one to watch and once again it’s great we have introduced British Speedway into some more exciting new talent from the continent in Fraser Bowes.”
“I think the key to next season will be our reserves. Last season we struggled in that department for most of the year which probably hindered us in the playoffs when you look at other teams, but securing Vinnie and Jacob will be huge for us. Vinnie showed everyone last year he is pure box office and is prepared to put himself on the line to win, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The sport needs these characters and a team needs these characters to be successful.”
“At the end of last season, I said we only wanted to sign a rider that wanted to ride for Workington – and every single rider we have signed has already shown their commitment and enthusiasm to the club which is fantastic.”
“Last season was a great achievement to reach the play-offs but we need to go again, and go that one (or two) steps further. I think the team we have secured for next season is a formidable one. Of course, we haven’t turned a wheel for next season yet, but everything is looking really positive. We have signed the team we want, the uptake for season tickets has been outstanding and we are also retaining and gaining new sponsorship partners for next season already.”
“I think our fans should be very excited for next season, it’s a team with bit of edge to it again. We just need our fans and Workington as an area to come out in force in 2025 to support our club, as I’m sure it’s going to be another fantastic season.”
Words and Feature Image by Workington Speedway
