FAST-RISING Australian youngsters Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate will both make their first Showground appearances in Peterborough’s eagerly-anticipated season-opener on March 19.

FAST-RISING Australian youngsters Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate will both make their first Showground appearances in Peterborough’s eagerly-anticipated season-opener on March 19.

Heeps and Tungate, who are going into their debut campaigns at Premier League level with Ipswich, have been recruited to complete the Sullivan’s Seven line-up, led by club legend Ryan Sullivan, as they take on the new-look Readypower Panthers.

It’s a perfect curtain-raiser to the Elite League season with established stars Sullivan, reigning World Champion Greg Hancock and former Panthers skipper Nicki Pedersen set to provide the home team with a major test.

And the meeting will offer an exciting glimpse into the sport’s future, as 16-year-old Heeps enjoyed a sensational first season in the UK with Mildenhall at National League level, whilst Tungate (22) impressed greatly in a late-season visit in 2011, during which he competed in open meetings and scored well at both Redcar and Leicester.

Panthers’ doubling-up riders Rene Bach and Kyle Newman also line up against their regular team-mates to ensure the full squad have a run-out – and managerial duo Trevor Swales and Jan Staechmann will also pit their wits against each other for one night only, with Swales set to take charge of Sullivan’s Seven.

Co-promoter Julie Mahoney said: “I don’t think we could ask for a better way to start the season as the fans will get to see their own team, some of the World’s other top riders and some of the best youngsters too.

“It’s also a great opportunity for Cameron and Rohan to race with and against the top men, I’m sure it will do them good and we’d like to thank Chris Louis at Ipswich for his co-operation in allowing them to race in this meeting.”

Meanwhile, there continues to be plenty of interest in the sponsorship auction of the “Sullivan’s Seven” race jackets – with one bid even coming in from Australia!

The race jacket sponsorship will include entry to the meeting, name in the programme, photograph in the pits with the riders before the meeting and the unique chance to watch heat 15 from the centre green.

The jackets will go to the seven highest bidders at the time of the March 1 closing date.

Supporters are asked when making an offer if they are prepared to transfer to any other jacket if their bid for their chosen jacket is not successful.

The winning sponsors will be notified by email and it is requested that payment be received in full by March 12.

Panthers’ bosses will then contact all the race jacket sponsors to make arrangements for the meeting.

If the sponsor is unable to attend the meeting then arrangements can be made to post the jacket.

Offers for a particular rider or any of the jackets can still be made by email to juliem@readypower.co.uk