Hammers book world champ.

The 2004 World Speedway Champion, Jason Crump, will be included in the Husqvarna Hammers line-up for their SkyBet Elite Speedway League match against Eastbourne, which is scheduled to take place at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Wednesday 25th May.

29 year old Crump finally achieved his ambition of being World Champion last year when took the title following the final round of the 2004 Grand Prix series. He had finished in second place in previous years but the Australian, who was actually born in Bristol, was delighted to finally lift the trophy. He rides for Belle Vue in this Country and, following the implementation of the latest averages, he is now able to accept guest bookings as his average has fallen to marginally below 10 points. He is an ideal choice of guest for the Husqvarna Hammers as he does not at present compete in the Swedish League, which takes place on Tuesdays.

The Husqvarna Hammers Promoter, Ronnie Russell stated: "Following the hand injury to Mark Loram, sustained before the League campaign had even started, I knew that I needed to do something to cover the loss of our top rider. I was delighted when I persuading the five times World Champion, Tony Rickardsson, to come over for a month but when he finished his stint with the Club I had to resort to using guest riders as I was unable to persuade any other of the World's top riders who were not involved in racing in this Country to come over and help us in our hour of need.

"Booking guest riders on a match to match basis has proved to be a very difficult task as the top riders have very busy schedules as most race in Poland and Sweden as well as over here.

"It has been seen that when I have been able to book in a top rider we have performed well as a team but when I have had to resort to using a lower average rider it has put additional pressure on the whole side. However, I appreciate the efforts of all those riders who have turned out for the Husqvarna Hammers.

"Last week Scott Nicholls rode for us in both of our meetings - here at Arena against Ipswich and away at Swindon. He scored 12 points in the home match and that took the pressure off the rest of the team and they all responded well and we clocked up a big win against the Witches.

"When I became aware that Jason now qualifies as a possible guest for Mark I spoke to him and he was willing to help us. I am delighted, therefore, that he will be in the side next Wednesday when Eastbourne are the visitors.

"As far as Mark's injury is concerned, it is a slow process. He is really frustrated at being sidelined and has now arranged for a cover to be made for the injured finger. When he gets that the plan is for him to go to Poland for a couple of days to get in some practice. Dependant on how that goes I should then have some indication as to when Mark is likely to be able to return to the side.

"We have really missed his influence both on and off the track and we need to get him back but only when he feels that he is able to do the job that we all know that he is capable of."

It will be the second time that Eastbourne will have visited the Arena-Essex Raceway in 2005 as the two sides met in the AirTek Air Barrier Challenge, which opened the season. It was in the away leg at Eastbourne that the Husqvarna Hammers No.1 mark Loram sustained the injury to his fingers that has kept him sidelined from the Sport.

The Husqvarna Hammers enter Wednesday's meeting against the Eagles in confident mood as they inflicted a heavy defeat on Ipswich last week and they also beat the Eagles in the season's opener by 16 points.

The battles between the Husqvarna Hammers guest, Jason Crump, and the Eagles 2003 World Champion, Nicki Pedersen, are likely to lead to some very tight, exciting racing as these two world class riders have been involved in many battles on the track already this year.