Loram back, Larsen hurt.

A delighted Arena-Essex Promoter, Ronnie Russell, this morning announced that the Husqvarna Hammers No.1 Mark Loram will be riding for the Essex based Club away at Belle Vue, Manchester this [Monday] evening.

Loram, the 2000 World Speedway Champion, badly injured fingers on the hand that operates the clutch level on his bike in a challenge match at Eastbourne in March, prior to the start of the SkyBet Elite Speedway League season. Since then Britain's last World Speedway Champion has been frustrated with the length of time that the injury has taken to mend.

He went to Poland towards the end of last week to get in some practice and despite feeling a little race rusty the two days on the track went well. Then, on Saturday, he competed in the Edward Jancarz Memorial Meeting at Gorzow, his Polish home track. He successfully got through this meeting despite a fall in his opening ride that resulted in one of his bikes being written off. He scored five points and was pleased to have the opportunity of getting in some practice under race conditions.

Loram telephoned his Promoter, Ronnie Russell, from Poland to update him with his progress and asked to be included in the Husqvarna Hammers side for the trip up to Manchester tonight [Monday]. He will then make his 2005 home SkyBet Elite League debut on Wednesday when the Oxford Silver Machine are the visitors to the Arena-Essex Raceway.

On hearing the news Ronnie Russell said "I am delighted to have Mark back in the side. We have really missed him and I believe that his influence both on and off the track will help us to kick start our season. It has been a nightmare for me having to book in a guest for each meeting as many of the top riders have been unable to help due to their other racing commitments. My phone bill for the last couple of months has gone through the roof.

"I would like to thank all the riders who have come to our assistance but it's not been the same without Mark there racing with the team. We have been struggling both at home and away but I now want to look forward to the rest of the season and I believe that with Mark now back in the side we can start winning meetings, which will help to move us up the League table.

"Mark's return should also assist us when we meet Ipswich in the 2nd leg of our Knockout Cup tie at our Arena-Essex Raceway on Wednesday 15th June. The Witches knocked us out of the Cup last year and we will be looking for revenge later this month. We go into the match 10 points behind after the away leg at Ipswich and I now feel even more confident of success knowing that Mark will be there leading us."

This news will please the loyal Husqvarna Hammers supporters after the disappointing start to the season. It is expected that they will be out in force on Wednesday at the Arena-Essex Raceway to greet back Loram, who is a firm favourite with not only the home supporters but all speedway supporters up and down the Country.

Not so good news for Josh Larsen. He was injured in the final heat of the World Team Cup qualifier in Daugavpils, Latvia on Sunday.

He was caught between a Russian and a Frenchman and fell but in a spectacular crash he was then run over by one of the bikes. He has tyre marks all over his body and his back is giving him concern. He, however, does not think that anything is broken.

He is due to return to this Country later today where he will have a check-up. His place in the Husqvarna Hammers line-up tonight will be taken by Phil Morris, who is the official No.8.