Thursday 26th April 2012, 08:34

Lakeside have stepped in to stage a semi-final of the FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship at Purfleet on May 27.

The Hammers have taken over the event which was pencilled in for Scunthorpe, as the Lincolnshire venue is unable to meet some of the FIM’s criteria at this stage.

The event features four nations including Great Britain, Denmark and Australia who will battle for places at the final in Gniezno on September 1.

Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook feels it is time for his club to run such a big meeting, especially as Great Britain Under-21 co-boss Neil Vatcher is also team manager of the Hammers, and their Elite League squad includes Richie Worrall, who is a likely starter for his country.

Cook said: “We are absolutely delighted to take the event on. It’s another first for the club as we’ve never staged a full FIM event.

“With Neil and Richie here, we felt it was a natural step to offer to stage the event for the BSPA.”

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey is philosophical about the situation, but says his club retains the ambition to stage FIM events in the future.

Godfrey said: “We are extremely disappointed but I do not believe we have an alternative.

“There were certain issues that cropped up when the FIM made their track inspection and we have been working very hard since then to find a solution that will satisfy all parties.

“Unfortunately, we have not managed to do that so far and we are rapidly running out of time.

“Sadly, it is not to be for this year but I can confirm that in the long-term, we still have aspirations to become an FIM-licensed track and will continue to work hard to achieve our goal.”

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