KING’S Lynn Stars’ and Team GB chief Rob Lyon wants home fans to help tip the balance in next month’s speedway showpiece World Cup round at the Norfolk Arena.

KING’S Lynn Stars’ and Team GB chief Rob Lyon wants home fans to help tip the balance in next month’s speedway showpiece World Cup round at the Norfolk Arena.

Lynn’s most successful team manager ever is calling on British fans to back his boys ahead of today’s opening ceremony for the global football festival in South Africa. Lyon’s ‘young Lions’ were just edged out by Sweden in a Polish play-off qualifier for last year’s final after an earlier battling display on home shale at Peterborough.

Team GB again face the Swedes alongside old foes Australia and minnows Finland at Saddlebow on Monday, July 26 looking to progress direct to the 2010 final in Denmark. The runners-up and third placed teams on the night in Norfolk must head to Vojens the following Thursday to contest a sudden death race off.

Lyon is in bullish mood with Team GB’s Chris Harris fresh from an impressive final appearance in last Saturday’s Danish grand prix.

“We’d like to see as many fans at the Norfolk Arena as we can, to really get behind the boys,” he said. “We put on a really good show at Peterborough at this stage last year and this time around we want to go one stage better and make the final. Whether that be from the first meeting in King’s Lynn or from the race-off we don’t really mind.

“Last year we had a lot of young riders in the team and this year we have various alternatives that we can look at, a few more riders who are on form. It will probably be a harder decision. We are looking for more progress and the support from thousands of British fans at King’s Lynn would be a real boost for the boys.”

Tickets are now on general sale for the biggest Saddlebow meeting in years with special discounts on family tickets and adult standing tickets for early purchases prior to June 30.

“We’re delighted this event will be staged at the Norfolk Arena for the first time,” said Paul Bellamy, managing director of event promoters’ BSI Speedway. “I’m sure the fans will welcome the opportunity to support the Brits as well as come to see the world’s best who are not racing on these shores on a regular basis.”