Workington Comets burst back into action this week with two back-to-back meetings – tonight and tomorrow.
It’s almost a month now since their last meeting, when they were beaten at home by Glasgow Tigers, and face two tough opponents for the return to Championship action.
They visit Redcar Bears tonight and tomorrow (6pm) entertain reigning champions Poole Pirates.
The Comets will be out for revenge against the Bears as Redcar have already recorded home and away victories over them in the BSN Series Northern section.
The good news for the Comets is that they can field a full complement of signed riders, without the need for guests or use of the rider replacement facility.
Jonas Jeppesen leads the Comets at number one with recent signing Drew Kemp and team captain Troy Batchelor filling the other heat leader slots at three and five, respectively.
Vinnie Foord rides at two and Tate Zischke at four, with Niklas Holm Jakobsen and Max Perry at reserve.
Redcar are boosted by the return of former Comet and ex-British champion Charles Wright, who is back on the bike after an enforced absence. Wright warmed up for his return at Workington late last month when he appeared at the Jay Cartmell Memorial, recording a number of impressive race wins.
Jake Mulford and Jake Allen line up at three and five, respectively, for the Bears. Simon Lambert rides at two and Jason Edwards at four. Ace Pijper — like Lambert a former Comet — and Jody Scott are Redcar’s reserves at the ECCO Arena.
Workington will be unchanged for the visit of Poole, league champions for the past two years, and will be hoping for a repeat of their comprehensive league triumph over the Pirates at the GT Tyres Arena last season.
At number one for the Pirates is vastly experienced West Cumbrian Richard Lawson, a former Comet. Talented teen Will Cairns occupies the number two slot and was in action in round one of the FIM Speedway GP2 in Sweden last weekend.
Another teen star in the making, British under-21 champion Cooper Rushen, is at number four and already has laps of the GT Tyres Arena under his belt having guested for the Comets in their first competitive fixture of 2026.
Lewis Kerr and skipper Zach Cook are the Pirates’ other heat leaders, at three and five, respectively.
One former Comet gives way to another at reserve with Luke Harrison stepping in as guest for the Fraser Bowes, who recently called time on his 2025 season due to injury. Kyle Newman is number seven for Poole, who will be managed by the colourful Gary Havelock, a two-time former British champion who was crowned world number one in 1992.
*Workington Meteors powered by Alwell Glass, are in Northern Junior League action at the ECCO Arena this evening. They take on the Redcar Cubs.
Jack Shimelt, Laymen Richardson, George Climo and Junior Travers line up for the Meteors.
Comets team boss James Denham said: “We’re looking at this weekend as a clean slate. The last result against Glasgow was disappointing, but we’ve had almost a month without a meeting which isn’t ideal but hopefully that’s given everyone the chance to reset mentally and physically.
“The lads certainly haven’t been sitting still. They’ve all been busy racing elsewhere in different leagues and a lot of them have been producing some really encouraging performances, so we’re hoping they can bring that confidence back into the team.
“We’re now entering the crucial stage of the season where every point becomes important. We need to start putting points on the board, both at home and away, if we’re going to give ourselves the best opportunity of climbing the table.
“Redcar away is always a tough place to go, but we’re determined to put in a performance we can build on, and then we’ve got another huge test against the reigning champions Poole on Saturday. It’s a big weekend for us, but it’s also a great opportunity to kick-start the second half of our season.”
