Post by admin on Feb 27, 2008 18:43:10 GMT 12
FLYING FINN IS FEN TIGERS No 1
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 11th February 2008
The Fen Tigers new look 2008 side is complete with the signing of Finnish international Kaj Laukkanen. Laukkanen started 2007 with the Belle Vue Aces where he averaged just under 5 including bonus points before personnel changes left him without a team place. He then moved to Edinburgh where he recorded an impressive green sheet average of 8.33, including a 13-point return at West Row. Laukkanen was also a reserve for the 2007 Grand Prix series where he made three appearances, beating Antonio Lindback and Rune Holta.
Mildenhall team manager Laurence Rogers is delighted with the signing and believes Laukkanen to be the man the Fen Tigers needed to lead them forwards: “ I had been talking to Kaj for a while and knew that he wanted to return to the UK this year despite rumours that he was not going to be seen in Britain in 2008. I was tipped off by the Belle Vue management that he was available and although we were also talking with Craig Watson , I had kept my talk with Kaj secret. We needed to finalise things and wanted to be able to announce to the fans and shareholders who was going to spearhead our side at the Fans Forum on Sunday. In the end it too just ten minutes to agree terms with Kaj and he is really looking forward to coming to Mildenhall.”
“He is a class rider and has performed at the highest level in the Gp’s . He certainly looked at home on our circuit last year with only Kyle Legault beating him when he visited with Edinburgh. We had a live link with him at the Forum on Sunday where he was amazed at the loud cheering that accompanied my announcement that we had signed him and now he can’t wait to get over to the UK to race for us. There was an instant rapport between the five Fen Tigers present on Sunday night and I think we have a great team spirit again this year. The boys had a chat before the forum and I offered Robbie Kessler the captaincy which he has accepted and I think he will prove a great skipper and look after the young lads in the side. Personally I can’t wait for the season to begin as I am very excited at the prospect of watching this side in action and improve –we have so much potential to harness and develop.”
“Robbie believes that the captaincy will be good for him and I think we have signed a rider who will be performing well above his average –he’s a steal at 5.79. Roll on March 16th!! Before that we have been invited to race in an inter-league challenge at Peterborough to open their season on Thursday March 13th. Due to the unavailability of the Stadium we have re-scheduled our Press and Practice Day. We will actually be having a Press Launch on Monday March 10th with a photo session with all the riders at 4.30 but there will be no racing. The lads then have been invited to practice at Wolverhampton on the Tuesday night and then on Saturday (15th) we are holding a full team practice from 12.30 till 4.30 followed by a social night including the introduction of Kaj Laukkanen and Grant Tregoning to the fans at 6 pm. Then it’s down to the real thing with 2007 League Champions Rye House the visitors on Sunday (16th) at 4.30pm.”
Laukkanen will take up the number 1 race jacket in the side with New-Zealander Tregoning at number 2. The Danish duo of Graversen and Wortmann while Kessler will partner the reserves at number 5.
The Mildenhall Fen Tigers 2008
1. Kaj Laukkanen - 8.33
2. Grant Tregoning - 5.00
3. Jan Graversen – 7.00
4. Casper Wortmann – 7.00
5. Robbie Kessler – 5.79
6. Mark Baseby – 3.00
7. James Cockle – 3.68
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 11th February 2008
The Fen Tigers new look 2008 side is complete with the signing of Finnish international Kaj Laukkanen. Laukkanen started 2007 with the Belle Vue Aces where he averaged just under 5 including bonus points before personnel changes left him without a team place. He then moved to Edinburgh where he recorded an impressive green sheet average of 8.33, including a 13-point return at West Row. Laukkanen was also a reserve for the 2007 Grand Prix series where he made three appearances, beating Antonio Lindback and Rune Holta.
Mildenhall team manager Laurence Rogers is delighted with the signing and believes Laukkanen to be the man the Fen Tigers needed to lead them forwards: “ I had been talking to Kaj for a while and knew that he wanted to return to the UK this year despite rumours that he was not going to be seen in Britain in 2008. I was tipped off by the Belle Vue management that he was available and although we were also talking with Craig Watson , I had kept my talk with Kaj secret. We needed to finalise things and wanted to be able to announce to the fans and shareholders who was going to spearhead our side at the Fans Forum on Sunday. In the end it too just ten minutes to agree terms with Kaj and he is really looking forward to coming to Mildenhall.”
“He is a class rider and has performed at the highest level in the Gp’s . He certainly looked at home on our circuit last year with only Kyle Legault beating him when he visited with Edinburgh. We had a live link with him at the Forum on Sunday where he was amazed at the loud cheering that accompanied my announcement that we had signed him and now he can’t wait to get over to the UK to race for us. There was an instant rapport between the five Fen Tigers present on Sunday night and I think we have a great team spirit again this year. The boys had a chat before the forum and I offered Robbie Kessler the captaincy which he has accepted and I think he will prove a great skipper and look after the young lads in the side. Personally I can’t wait for the season to begin as I am very excited at the prospect of watching this side in action and improve –we have so much potential to harness and develop.”
“Robbie believes that the captaincy will be good for him and I think we have signed a rider who will be performing well above his average –he’s a steal at 5.79. Roll on March 16th!! Before that we have been invited to race in an inter-league challenge at Peterborough to open their season on Thursday March 13th. Due to the unavailability of the Stadium we have re-scheduled our Press and Practice Day. We will actually be having a Press Launch on Monday March 10th with a photo session with all the riders at 4.30 but there will be no racing. The lads then have been invited to practice at Wolverhampton on the Tuesday night and then on Saturday (15th) we are holding a full team practice from 12.30 till 4.30 followed by a social night including the introduction of Kaj Laukkanen and Grant Tregoning to the fans at 6 pm. Then it’s down to the real thing with 2007 League Champions Rye House the visitors on Sunday (16th) at 4.30pm.”
Laukkanen will take up the number 1 race jacket in the side with New-Zealander Tregoning at number 2. The Danish duo of Graversen and Wortmann while Kessler will partner the reserves at number 5.
The Mildenhall Fen Tigers 2008
1. Kaj Laukkanen - 8.33
2. Grant Tregoning - 5.00
3. Jan Graversen – 7.00
4. Casper Wortmann – 7.00
5. Robbie Kessler – 5.79
6. Mark Baseby – 3.00
7. James Cockle – 3.68