Speedway rider Troy Pratt is gearing up for the new season at Arena Essex.

The Harlow-based speedster revs up on Friday night for the Essex Riders Championship before the season gets going in the Premier League.

And he is confident that the Arena Essex squad can challenge for promotion to the elite league this season.

"We have a good squad here and are hopeful of a good season ahead," said Pratt whose career has followed in the footsteps of his father Colin.

Pratt senior was a top rider with, among other clubs, Hackney Kestrels who are now sadly no longer in existence.

In fact there are now no speedway clubs within the M25 -- with Arena Essex (right next door to Lakeside Shopping Centre) being the best chance for Londoners to watch the sport.

Troy said: "Many speedway clubs have struggled and closed down but hopefully followers of the clubs that have gone will come to Arena."

Although troy is a full-time rider he has to finance himself by working for a plant hire company when he is not out on the track.

He does receive generous support from Welling Power Tools but admits it's still a struggle to be a speedway rider these days.

"I've sent about 70 letters trying to get some more backing," he said. "But I've had not much success so far."

You can follow Troy's progress this season in the Citizen, starting next week.

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