LAKESIDE Hammers will be opening the doors to their fans at the official Press and Practice Day by moving the session to the late afternoon/early evening of Wednesday 17th March.

LAKESIDE Hammers will be opening the doors to their fans at the official Press and Practice Day by moving the session to the late afternoon/early evening of Wednesday 17th March.

The gates of the Arena-Essex Raceway, the home of the Hammers, will be open to fans at 5pm and supporters will be able to enjoy watching a full practice from this year's eight man squad before a special signing session with all the riders being available for photographs and autographs including the complete team being assembled for fans to take their own team pictures. The fans will be admitted to this evening at the Raceway free of charge.

“The fans are a big part of Press and Practice Day - both Jon Cook and I felt that this way many more of them will be able to make their way to the Arena-Essex Raceway after work or school for their first hit of Speedway this year,” said Co-Promoter Stuart Douglas. “We will look after our professional Press requirements earlier in the day, and the extended session will give the lads plenty of track time to blow away the winter cobwebs ahead of our big opening night against local rivals, Ipswich Witches. For all of us, the season can't start soon enough!”

Those Hammers supporters who have not yet purchased their 2010 Season Tickets will be able to do so at the Raceway on the Wednesday evening. These Tickets will be available for collection during the course of the evening.

In addition the Hammers Club will be open for placing orders for all official merchandise, including the new teamwear items for the 2010 season. Fans will also have the opportunity to place orders for the new replica team shirts. Those fans who place their orders on the Wednesday evening for these shirts will be able to collect them at the opening meeting against the Witches.