Workington Comets fans got their first look at the new Northside race track today and the response was a unanimous WOW!
The work done by promoters Andrew Bain and Steve Lawson to turn the training track into a National Development League circuit has been remarkable.
The 2023 Comets, who will start their NDL programme next Saturday, were assembled for the official pre-season practice in front of a healthy crowd of supporters.
The Comets, who folded at the end of a hugely successful 2018 season, are back and looking to re-build their fan base at the new look Northside Arena.
As Steve Lawson, a former Workington and Glasgow rider said: “It’s not just a speedway track it’s an open air events arena and we are nowhere near the finished article yet.
“We have plans to make it a festival-type experience for families and of course we don’t have to plan around rugby fixtures or have issues like other shared stadiums.
“We have all been so nervous and none of us could sleep last night. It will be the same ahead of the first meeting with Edinburgh next week.”
Fellow promoter Andrew Bain has followed the Comets since 1999 and says he is very proud and excited to have re-launched the team.
He said: “It’s a very proud day. We’ve had a lot of volunteers coming down each week-end for two years now and it’s great to be finally up and running.
“I’m just looking for a good season which provides plenty of enjoyment for everyone.”
All the riders had spins round the track which is the widest in the country and is 300 metres long.
Luke Harrison who took a nasty spill riding at Scunthorpe three weeks ago was there but was not able to practice as he has to visit hospital in a fortnight for the latest check on his injury.
But Kelsey Dugard, who has been signed to deputise while Harrison is out, tried out the track for the first time.
