LAKESIDE Hammers co-promoters, Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook, head into the Christmas week happy with the way the 2012 season is shaping up.

LAKESIDE Hammers co-promoters, Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook, head into the Christmas week happy with the way the 2012 season is shaping up.

“We have really taken our time this year to analyse in detail the options open to us.” said Douglas. “There have been some interesting conundrums for us to solve, in terms of averages and team dynamic. No one really knows what next year is going to bring regarding the pound in our pockets, but I am really happy that we have put together a team that will not only satisfy the Hammers faithful, but provide enough on track entertainment to entice those who are the occasional fan to turn out and support the team more regularly.”

Australian international Davey Watt is already an announced new addition to the Hammers line up, with 2011 Rider of the Year, Robert Mear, also confirmed to take his place in the 2012 team.

“We have just a few details to finalise, and then Jon (Cook) will be in a position to announce the whole team - all being well on the 4th January - exclusively on our website. After that we will be counting down to the tapes going up on a brand new Elite League season here at the Arena Essex Raceway.”

Co Promoter, Jon Cook, was equally thrilled at the prospect of the new campaign, saying: “The weeks since the end of the season have flown by and I can’t really believe we are this close to entering the new Speedway year as we have many exciting prospects in store.”

“Team wise we are almost there and having secured that all important strong top two, which we felt we lacked last year, we feel in good shape as fans will see when the full side is named.” added Cook.

“We hope to have our League fixture list out very soon, hopefully the middle of this week, and we will start at home on March 30th with Elite League action. We also have the track to ourselves the whole of the previous week, so the team will be well practised, and we will open the season with a special ‘fans meeting’ on the 23rd.”

“Away from the main team, work will shortly commence on our very own Academy Training Track on land just behind the Lakeside GoKarting track, with a major announcement on that project to follow in the New Year. Our general training programme will continue throughout the year with the George Barclay Training School first up on Wednesday 21st March, and Russell Paine’s ‘Ride ‘n’ Slide Days’ the day after. Both are available for booking now. The last 12 months have seen the Club expand its training activities greatly, and we will be pushing on with that side of the business throughout 2012. We hope to add a Development Side from trainees who will see action pre-Elite League matches and on some stand alone dates too. All in all, 2012 promises much and I can’t wait!”

“For the moment,” added Stuart Douglas,” from Jon and myself, and all us here at The Hammers, I’d like to thank all our fans and sponsors for their amazing support in 2011, and I look forward to giving you much to cheer about in 2012. Merry Christmas to you all!”

“For the moment,” added Douglas,” from Jon and myself, and all us here at The Hammers, I’d like to thank all our fans and sponsors for their amazing support in 2011, and I look forward to giving you much to cheer about in 2012. Merry Christmas to you all!”

Christmas messages from some of the Hammers riders together with a short video can been seen by visiting the Hammers website at www.lakesidehammers.co