SPEEDWAY: Reigning Elite League champions, the Poole Pirates, led by the world’s most exciting rider Darcy Wardhead to the Arena Essex Raceway this Friday evening, August 8, to take on theVortex Lakeside Hammers.

The Pirates are freshfrom victory over the Wolverhampton Wolves on Monday and look to be peakingahead of the Play Offs whilst the Essex side’s last outing saw them takevictory also at Wolverhampton as both teams aim to secure a top four position,which will put them into the end of season Play Offs.

The Vortex HammersPromoter Jon Cook commented ahead of this vital meeting: "It's action allthe way this month and what better way to start than with this must winmeeting. It's been a long break from racing so the boys are keen to be back ontrack and securing the points needed to hold onto a top four spot".

Teams for Friday:- Vortex LakesideHammers: Davey Watt (Captain), Richard Lawson, Lewis Bridger, Kim Nilsson, RorySchlein, Ben Morley, Adam Ellis.

Coastal Aluminium Poole Pirates: Darcy Ward (Captain), JoshGrajczonek, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Vaclav Milik, Maciej Janowski, Benji Compton,Kyle Newman.

The action will getunderway at the Arena Essex Raceway this Friday with the parade of riders at 7.45pm and the first race at 8pm.

For Thurrock sport see the Thurrock Gazette every Thursday.