Workington Speedway have moved quickly to sign a replacement for German rider Celina Liebmann who has been released.
They have signed the experienced British rider Paul Starke, who joins the GT Tyres-sponsored Comets for this Friday’s fixture at Redcar, and will slot into the vacant reserve berth.
Starke, who was released from Glasgow earlier in the season, has a wealth of experience of British tracks and should add a definite solidity to the Comets at reserve.
He has had a career spanning over 16 years in British Speedway and has been part of numerous team honours during his time at Somerset and Peterborough among others.
The Comets are still in the hunt for a play-off position this season, despite some recent results being below standard – it meant the promotion had to make this change to carry on with that ambition.
Promoter Andrew Bain said: “Bringing Paul in will definitely add an element of stability to our team which we haven’t had so far. He is an experienced campaigner with a wealth of knowledge of British tracks.
“He was released from Glasgow earlier in the season, but was riding in a tough position in their middle order, whether as for us he will be at reserve which we think is a massive coup where he will potentially be one of the strongest reserves in the league.
“Recent results haven’t been up to standard and we have listened to the voices of our fans and know that a change was needed and it needed to be done before the deadline.”
Paul will join the Comets for their next fixture at Redcar on Friday, August 2, and will make his home debut on August 3 at the GT Tyres Arena, Northside.
On the decision to drop Liebmann, team manager James Denham said: “Celina has averaged 2.45 all season and has just not had the consistency at home that we needed against her four point assessment.
“We gave her a decent run in the side when no other team would.
“Sam McGurk has averaged below his two point assessed average also. The reserves have been our weakness this year so we have had to make a change.
“We could have made two changes but we looked at the options out there and there was nobody that would have improved us any further, Sam knows that it could have been him.
“Paul Starke will be a great asset to the team and will give us more options at reserve and back up the four in the main body.”
In a farewell message to the fans, Celina said: “It was a really great time and it makes me very sad that I have to leave the team. I wish them all the best and every success for the rest o the season. Thanks for the opportunity.”
