SPEEDWAY: BEES owner Mick Horton believes he has a competitive National League team at his disposal ahead of the new season.
Horton has moved to sign highly rated youngster Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, experienced Jon Armstrong and the likes of Luke Harris and Danny Phillips with Jamie Halder, Ryan MacDonald and Luke Ruddick completing the starting seven.
Bees will compete in the National League alongside the likes of Birmingham, Kent and Belle Vue while the club’s rivalry with Cradley Heath will be renewed in the National Trophy.
Speaking to the Observer, Horton said he hopes a team mixed with youth and experience can guide his side to third division success.
He said: “We’ve put a team together that will be competitive.
“Jon (Armstrong) has been there and done it, he’s a respected figure in the National League and I’ve worked with him before.
“Then at the other end of the radar we have Jack Parkinson-Blackburn who’s only a teenager. But for me Jack stands out, he’ll take some stopping.
“The lad’s highly rated and we were quick on the scene to snap him up when it was announced he wasn’t part of Birmingham’s plans.”
This year will see Bees host home fixtures away from their traditional Brandon home for the first time in the club’s history.
A bitter – and ongoing – off-track dispute between multiple parties has resulted in the closure of Coventry Stadium.
And last month, stadium owners Brandon Estates formally submitted plans to Rugby Borough Council to build 137 homes.
You can read an extensive interview with Mr Horton regarding Bees’ off-track situation in our news section.
But speaking about the club’s move to Leicester with regards to racing, Horton said the track will throw up some entertaining racing.
He said: “The Leicester track has changed, there are now longer straights and the bends have been brought in too.
“It’s new for us, but that applies to the other teams as well. We’ve got experience and riders that are on the up, I’m confident we can perform well.”
