BRITAIN'S last speedway world champion Mark Loram hopes to be back on a track again soon.The 38, who won the shale sport's top prize in 2000, broke his thigh in a riding accident at Foxhall Stadium in the spring on 2007.

Elvin King

BRITAIN'S last speedway world champion Mark Loram hopes to be back on a track again soon.

The 38, who won the shale sport's top prize in 2000, broke his thigh in a riding accident at Foxhall Stadium in the spring on 2007.

He has now been given hospital clearance to ride again, but he says he is still undecided about where his future lies and admits that 'time is running out.'

Hopes that Ipswich Witches fans will see Stowmarket-based Loram in kevlars again after up-coming Foxhall meetings have been dashed by Loram, who said:

“I don't want to take time away from youngsters who should be using up the time at Foxhall before the 10pm curfew.

“They are the ones who should be taking up track time.

“I will either go to somewhere like Sittingbourne where you can practice virtually at will or pop over to Sweden and meet up with my former mechanic Norrie Allen, who is now working for Chris Harris on the continent.

“I have not firmed up any dates yet, but I plan to be back on a bike again soon.

“But whether it means just messing about on a bike or a full time return to speedway remains to be seen. I appreciate that time is running out for me”.

Loram's concern that youngsters should be encouraged at Ipswich is understandable with the sad state of British speedway - with Harris and Scott Nicholls languishing at the foot of the current Grand Prix standings.

Although he has been reported to be part of Great Britain team manager Rob Lyon's 'coaching' team, Loram has heard nothing official for some while.

“Something has got to be done about the lack of talent we are producing,” added Loram, whose thigh has healed 75% after a second operation last year.

“I will be keeping the metalwork in for good. This consists of a plate that runs three quarters the length of my thigh and 13 screws.

“The wound is still healing satisfactory and specialist Norwich-based bone surgeon AD Patel has given me clearance to ride again.

“He jested that he would be happy to put me back together if the worst came to the worst.

“But joking aside I have got to give seriously thought to me future.

“Working full time has made it easier to cope as without that I would not have struggled to handle my injury so well.”

Loram works full time at Hemingstone Garage, who are independent BMW specialists.

elvin.king@archant.co.uk