There will be three USA riders competing in the Ben Fund Bonanza at Workington on Sunday, one well known in this country plus two of their young starlets.
Gino Manzares, now 30, has been a spectacular competitor in UK leagues previously with Ipswich and more briefly Scunthorpe.
Also racing will be Alex Martin, 19-years-old from Monterey, the USA National Under 21 Champion plus the delightfully-named Slater Lightcap, who is 18 from Long Beach and the 2021 National Under-21 Champion.
Fans watching on Sunday will see if either of the youngsters might be treading in the footsteps of great Americans like Penhall, Hancock, Hamill and so many others.
Lightcap replaces Lewis Kerr who had been announced for the lineup but has a family matter to attend to.
There are two further late changes: Dan Thompson takes the place of Kyle Howarth (called up by his Polish club), and Joe Thompson comes in for Simon Lambert who is unwell.
Paul Ackroyd added: “The weather forecast for Workington is good, and as part of the fun on the day one of the track staff, Alan, is being sponsored to have his head shaved. Norick Blodorn, who is thinking of a career as a barber post-speedway, will do the shaving!
“We are hoping for a good crowd, and the start time is 3pm with gates open at 12.30pm.”
