Tapes up at Diamonds in memory of promoter Dave
NEWCASTLE Diamonds open their 2022 speedway season at Brough Park this afternoon when the tapes go up on the Dave Tattum Memorial Trophy.
The race is in memory of the Diamonds’ promoter who tragically lost his battle with illness at the end of the 2021 season.
Tattum was, as Newcastle’s club owner Rob Grant is keen to confirm, the driving force behind him to keep his determination to keep the Diamonds racing on when the days were dark.
Grant said: “The full-strength 2022 Diamonds’ side will be out today to battle a Stoke Potters’ Select who have some star names in their line up, not least their number one, and former Newcastle favourite, Stevie Worrall and he’ll be joined spear-heading the Potters by our former skipper from last season, Ben Barker.
“Berwick are represented in the select guest side with the man tipped for the top in the Borders, Leon Flint a true rising star who looked sharp as a tack at his club’s practice session last weekend alongside his new Bandit’s teammate for 2022, American-born Ricky Wells who has a brilliant track record around our shale.
“James Sarjeant completes their top five while Connor Coles and Joe Alcock, two more riders with previous Diamonds’ association fill the Potters’ reserve births and will complete a side that will give us a fine, exciting 15 heats of racing to watch. Stoke will be team managed by Lloyd Tattum and former Stoke and Newcastle rider, Nigel Crabtree.
“This meeting also gives us the chance to see our new-look Advance Fire and Security Diamonds (In association with Securicorp) put on a show at home for the first time led by Kiwi Bradley Wilson-dean and fellow New Zealander, George Congreve starts at number seven, but again looks a solid, forceful racer who will provide some great moments this season.
“Paul Starke is another classy performer who has his eyes firmly set on our top spot, and a little healthy competition within the side is never a bad thing while returnee to the sport, Lee Complin looks like he could well be the big talking point of 2022. He’s superbly fit and has a positive mental attitude equal to the best of them.
“Coming back from 2021 is Max Clegg, Skipper James Wright and Matthew Wethers.”
RIDER LINE-UP
Newcastle Advance Fire and Security Diamonds in association with Securicorp Diamonds: Bradley Wilson-dean, Matthew Wethers, James Wright (captain), Max Clegg, Paul Starke, Lee Complin, George Congreve, Team manager Steve Pate Stoke Harvey Tyres Potters Guest Select: Steve Worrall (captain), James Sarjeant ,Ricky Wells, Leon Flint, Ben Barker, Connor Coles, Joe Alcock, Team Managers. Lloyd Tattum/nigel Crabtree