LAKESIDE Hammers will open the doors of the track to their fans on the 23rd March

LAKESIDE Hammers will open the doors of the track to their fans on the March 23, offering a behind the scenes look at the Club, as it makes its final preparations for the 2012 season, which starts seven days later with the Hammers first home meeting against the Belle Vue Aces.

In a move away from the normal Press and Practice day, fans will be given access to the track, pits, centre green and a tour of the referee’s box, as well as watching the organised practice of the first team and the debut of the new Anglian League team, the Junior Hammers.

Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook commented: “From 6pm fans will be able to get on the track and be given a guided tour courtesy of Track Manager Gerald Richter. The pits will be open for fans and at 7pm, before practice starts, there will be a photo session in the pits for fans to get their own team and favourite individual rider shots.”

“When practice begins we will have a special fenced safety area on the centre green, which will be open for fans to enjoy a very special view of the racing, a view that is normally only open to only a privileged few. We will have the referee’s box open for a tour and plan to have a local referee on hand to explain their duties on the night.”

Cook continued: “Our first team will undertake some competitive racing on the night, as well as establishing a new flying lap record, and we will also welcome the new Junior Hammers into action with a match against either Ipswich or King’s Lynn. The 2012 team mechanics will also be put through their paces with a back wheel changing competition, whilst our new merchandise team will have a stand with official Club merchandise, where fans can place orders for the 2012 range, including the new 2012 team shirt.

We will be raising money all year to renew our air fence so the cost for the evening will be �5 for adults and �1 for kids with free admission for Season Ticket holders. Rather than just watching Press and Practice from the usual viewing places, we plan to give our fans a great fun night, a fantastic view and the opportunity to rub shoulders with their team as we set up for a year of great anticipation”.

Full timings:

5:30pm Gates Open.

6:00pm Track Tours, Pits open and Referee Box open

6:30pm Mechanics Wheel Changing Competition

7:00pm Team Photo session for the Public – Top of pits

7:15pm Practice Begins – Centre Green open to the Public

8:00pm Set of Races and Individual Timed Lap Dashes – Centre Green remains open to the Public

9:00pm Anglian Junior Match – Centre Green now closed.