BELLE VUE COLTS co-boss Graham Goodwin insists the “season starts here” as his side faces a vital clash with Middlesbrough Tigers.
The JR Ashworth Colts take on the Teessiders at the National Speedway Stadium on Sunday afternoon (1pm).
It’s only the third home meeting of the season in the National Development League while Sunday also brings the first chance to see the full Colts 1-7 together this year.
Goodwin said: “It’s no secret that the season hasn’t gone to plan so far with injuries and various other things that have gone against us, but we’re not looking back.
“We are only halfway through the fixtures, and we have three home meetings remaining to look forward to. So it feels like our season starts here.
“The performance at Oxford a fortnight ago was encouraging.
“We now have Mason Watson back and with the younger end of the team more experienced on our home track, we can look forward to building on that last match.
“The boys should be confident of putting in a strong shift on Sunday”.
Middlesbrough hand debuts to new signings Elliot Kelly and Charlie Southwick, who come into the team in place of the outgoing Danny Phillips and Ben Rathbone.
Sunday’s NDL clash is followed by a round of the 250cc British Youth Championship.
Goodwin reckons fans should stick around to take in the extra entertainment.
He added “I know that supporters aren’t as familiar with the youth riders as the NDL boys, but I thoroughly recommend sticking around on Sunday to give them a watch.
“The 250cc class is especially strong this year. There’s a particularly good bunch of 13-15 year-olds this season, and I’d suggest there are around half-a-dozen riders believing they could win”.
Sunday’s NDL Line-ups:-
Belle Vue JR Ashworth & Sons Colts: William Cairns, Jack Shimelt, Jack Kingston, Mason Watson, Freddy Hodder (c), Harry Fletcher, Billy Budd.
Middlesbrough Tigers: Ace Pijper, Elliot Kelly, Stene Pijper, Jamie Halder, Tom Spencer, Kai Ward, Charlie Southwick.