SPEEDWAY: COVENTRY Bees promoter Mick Horton is expecting big things from his new-look Brandon side after completing the team’s line-up for the 2017 SGB Premiership campaign.
All-action racer Jason Garrity returns for his fourth season in Bees colours with added responsibility in the upper echelons of the side.
Garrity endured an injury-hit 2016 campaign but still produced a number of spectacular displays for Coventry, and also advanced to the No.1 position at Premier League level with Sheffield.
Also back for a fourth season is Garrity’s former Elite Draft reserve colleague James Sarjeant, who will see 2017 as a major opportunity for a breakthrough year.
He increased his Premier League average substantially whilst racing in the top five for Ipswich last season, but the starting figures for next year will see him start for Coventry in a reserve berth alongside Josh Bates.
Completing a solid middle-order for the Bees will be former King’s Lynn and Lakeside rider Lewis Kerr, who joins the club in an average of just under six.
Kerr was a regular thorn in the Bees’ side at Draft level when racing for King’s Lynn in particular, and he looks to be another rider on a bargain figure bearing in mind his form in the second half of the season for Scunthorpe.
“I’ve always admired Lewis, and if I’m honest I’ve always felt that he can do more,” said Horton.
“Every season you look for riders who you think can improve their average – Kenneth Bjerre, for example, will improve his average, and Lewis Kerr is another one.
“I expect him to have a good season. He has been very keen to ride for Coventry in the past, he’s got his wish this time and he’s going to grab it with both hands.
“Jason is really keen, he’s got new equipment lined up and we know what a popular rider he is with the crowd. There’s no reason why he can’t keep on moving up next year.
“Sarj knows he needs to step it up a gear in the Premiership, we know he has the ability and I do feel this formation overall will work in our favour, when you look at what is out there on that sort of average.”
The trio join the already-announced quartet of captain Danny King, Kenneth Bjerre, Lasse Bjerre and Bates as the Bees’ septet for 2017, coming in just 0.22 below the 50-point limit for team building.
“Having spoken with these boys to do the deals, and having Jim (Lynch) involved, they are really hungry and they really want to ride for Coventry,” Horton added. “That’s a big thing, and I’m sure we’re going to see it out on-track.”
