Rebels bring back Wright and Starke

SPEEDWAY

Two former Somerset Rebels riders can play their part in attempting to bring cup glory to the Highbridge outfit this week, as Charles Wright and Paul Starke return to the team for one night only.

With a total of three riders missing for tonight’s Premiership Knock-Out Cup final first leg against King’s Lynn Stars, team manager Garry May has booked Starke for the second leg in Norfolk tomorrow, while Wright returns to the Oaktree Arena this evening – four months after leaving the club after an unsavoury incident in the pits during a match.

May said: “What happened with Charles earlier this season is now water under the bridge. We have both needed to move on from that and I know Charles is keen to do a job for us again. He has spoken to me since and even asked me once why I hadn’t asked him back to guest for me.

“It was simply because the numbers wouldn’t allow it, but here we are with a piece of silverware at our fingertips and the opportunity has presented itself for Charles to come in and do a job for us.

“I can’t use him away but I’m delighted to have Paul Starke with us on Thursday. Both riders can be meeting changers,” May added.

To add to the absences of Bradley Wilson-Dean and Aaron Summers, the Rebels also have Jack Holder ruled out. Last week, though, May announced that Chris Harris, the rider who ended the Rebels Premiership title aspirations with a breathtaking ride for Poole Pirates which will be a talking point for many a year, will stand in for both legs, with rider replacement in operation home and away.