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Four riders from Hethersett Hawks / Swinton and Co cycle speedway club got their season underway when they took part in the Malcolm Flood Memorial Trophy at Eaton Park.

Ben Collins qualified for the final by finishing in the top two in the heats. Dan Chambers and Phil Adams, who suffered a fall, reached the semi-final play-offs from which two went through to the final. Dan made it through but Phil finished third and missed out. In the final Ben finished second behind Sandwell's Paul Heard while Dan came fourth. Harley Hamill competed well in the heats for 11 points but just missed the play-offs.

Training is continuing at Harford Park on Tuesday evenings while the new surface at Hethersett is still being prepared.

That's Shale-Lot - March 3rd, 2008

Hethersett Hawks’ Swinton and Co Cycle Speedway’s preparations for the season took a giant leap forward with the delivery of 30 tins of shale from Edinburgh.

The new shale has been spread on the Memorial Playing Field track to provide a top class racing surface in time for the start of the new season at Easter.

It is only the second time that the track has been re-surfaced since it was built in 1966. The first was way back in 1977.

The shale and transport cost £1,200 and the official opening of the re-furbished track will be on Saturday April 19^th, although the first match on it takes place on April 12^th and club nights start on Tuesday April 1^st.

“The improved racing conditions have been made possible thanks to a grant from South Norfolk Council, the loan of a grader by Hethersett Youth Cricket Club and the support of the Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Committee,” said club secretary Mel Perkins.

British Champions Sign - February 18th, 2008

Hethersett Hawks/Swinton and Co cycle speedway has signed two former British Champions ahead of the start of the new season which opens on Easter Sunday.

In addition the club has the possibility of two more former British champions also joining before the start of the season

“There is an excited air of anticipation around the club as we look to follow a very successful 2007 season,” said club secretary Mel Perkins.”

The announcement of the new signings was made at the club’s annual general meeting an update was also given on the extensive refurbishment of the track with a complete new drainage system and preparations for a new surface that should arrive any day.

Phil Howells, who has extended his Secondary Licence for another 12 months but will race more regularly for Hethersett this season as he is not committed to Premier League racing with Leicester, will be joined by Darren Slater. Darren has been out of the sport for five years but previously won the British Under-16 title the same year that he finished third in the Senior event at the age of 15.

At the meeting long-serving Committee member Dave Veness stepped down together with Roy Abbott and they were thanked for their commitment to the Club. Assistant Secretary Julie Bedson stepped down from those duties but will remain on the Committee with her place being taken by Janet Perkins. Also joining the Committee will be David Chambers, Tim Grimes, David Martin and David Adams.

Pre-season training for team members is due to start on Tuesday March 4th with newcomers welcome at Club Nights from April 1st.