News, sport and entertainment from the Bournemouth Echo and Dorset Echo.

Havvy set for Poole

From the Echo, first published Thursday 25th Jan 2001.

PIRATES appear to be on the verge of naming former World champion Gary Havelock as the final rider in their 2001 line up.

Speculation is rife among Poole Gas Appliance Superstore fans that the 32-year-old is the last piece in the Elite League club's team-building jigsaw.

But Pirates chiefs have declined to confirm whether Havelock is, indeed, the rider who has put pen to paper as their third heat leader.

The club are due to unveil their seventh, and final, rider for this season during the Bournemouth Indoor Speedway Spectacular at the BIC on Saturday or Sunday.

However, it seems as though a deal has already been struck which will take Havelock back to Wimborne Road for a third successive full season.

If it is confirmed Havelock will ride once more in the skull and crossbones race jacket, he will be the only Englishman in Poole's team. Tony Rickardsson (Swe-den), Lars Gunnestad (Norway), Craig Watson (Australia), Grze-gorz Walasek (Poland), Hans N Andersen (Denmark) and Krzy-sztof Cegielski (Poland) are already definite starters.

Havelock, who was due to attend a meeting of club sponsors at Poole Stadium last night, was unavailable for comment as the Daily Echo went to press.

It would not be a great surprise if Havelock, who is based in Middlesbrough, is Pirates' seventh rider. He is known to be happy at the Dorset track after kick-starting his racing career back into top gear at the end of 1998 when he spent a spell with the club on loan.

He was transferred permanently from Bradford to Poole in 1999 and has spent the past two seasons as a heat leader.

Havelock, who has also been an inspirational captain of the Pirates during the same time, is likely to be made skipper again.

The only other rider who might be in the running to take over that mantle is Rickardsson, although the Swede would probably only take it on if he was offered it.

It is unlikely he would specifically request to be captain when he knows Havelock's ability to get his team-mates spirits up during matches remains so passionate.

Former Pirates' number one Mark Loram, meanwhile, is on course to return to Dorset for the first time since he was replaced at Poole by the Swede.

Norrie Allan, Loram's manager, has confirmed the current World champion is due to return to this country late on Friday.

Loram, who has joined Peter-borough, has spent the past three weeks racing in Australia and holidaying in the United States.

Loram, a firm favourite with Poole fans over the past two years, takes part in the indoor event at the BIC on Sunday. Tickets for all three meetings over the weekend - at 7pm on Satur-day, 3pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Sunday - will be available on the day. They can also be obtained in advance from the BIC box office on 01202 456456.

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