“Alvaro is your typical cool Italian racer. Nothing seems to phase him although I’ll be the first to admit his scores haven’t been great the last couple of years. It does mean however that he starts the season on a good average and hopefully he can be up there challenging Timo and Rustem for the top spot. He is a quality rider and at second heat leader he probably holds the key to our entire season, if he has a great season we could be back to where we belong - on or near the top of the table.”

“I love speedway, it’s my life. But I have to do other things as well. I work hard at the track to get the right set ups for the conditions and I try as hard as anyone else to win races. I just seem to have a few bad meetings every now and then. I know I can do it, I have proved that when my scores are high but just maybe I need to do it more often. I enjoy going out with my mates and having a laugh and I see no problem with that, life is there to enjoy. The boss has had a word with me to try and calm down and put more time into the speedway preparation so I will be giving that a go this season. I am determined to do well for myself, the fans and Dave as I know he is a top bloke to work for. I also know that it is a privilege to race for such a top team and if I don’t perform I could find myself leaving the club so I will do my best to move onto the next level in the sport which I love so much.”

Time is on his side at the tender age of twenty four but the years go quickly and if he wants to see his name up in lights at some point he needs to knuckle down and get on with the job in hand. He may find life tough as riding at number two isn’t easy, having to go out in the opening heat. Talking about the second string, Dave Hood said:

“Mark is a class act and also a rider we have owned before. With quite a low team points limit (46.00) it is imperative to have good reserves that can score points from the off. Sure we have some good three pointers at Coventry but they would need time to settle in the side before scoring points for the team and I know better than anyone that it is important to start the league campaign well or it can be over before it begins. Mark has experience in the top flight and rode pretty well last season in a struggling Pitsea side. He is on an average of 3.62 and considering some of that was attained in the top five at Pitsea it looks to be a good figure. Mark is a good gater and with some better equipment under him he should make the grade and at least be a useful reserve which I guess is all I am looking for. He is now twenty seven years old and his passion for the sport is still high and if he commits himself to the task in hand then there is no reason why he can’t go on to better things. I’m looking for some solid points scoring from Mark right from the get go as he knows the track already.”

Mark started his career for Coventry when he signed for them straight from school as a sixteen year old. He raced in the junior leagues before moving into the seniors at eighteen. During his time with the club he has been loaned to other clubs and done a good job before he moved to Springfield and then onto Pitsea. He averaged 4.08 for Chiseldon and also a better figure of 4.96 when he rode in the colours of Walsall. It goes without saying that Mark himself is absolutely delighted with the move:

“Mitch is a good racer. He has a neat style and is equipped with good machinery and a cool head on his shoulders. He will find life pretty tough at second string but the boss has every faith in him and it goes without saying that I share that sentiment. He is as ready as he will ever be and I am proud to be at his side.”

Watching from the stands it seems that young Mitch has what it takes. He picks his moments on the bike to pass riders - he won’t just fly around the outside at the first available chance, he will bide his time and make a safe pass, something others could surely learn from in an effort to reduce injuries. That said he is not afraid to mix it with anyone and I will always remember a tussle he had with Jiri Broz in a challenge match against Birmingham. He wasn’t prepared to lose and he passed the Czech star by flying right around the boards. Coventry Crusaders boss Dave Hood had this to say about the lad:

“Mitch is just brilliant. I love watching him race, it is just a pleasure. I wish him well for this coming season, I know it will be tough but I will give him time to settle in the side. At reserve he came up with some vital scores both home and away and he has to apply himself in the same way if he is to pick up points regularly in the top five. He struggled in that position at times last year although he will have a top partner in some races, none other than former World Champion Alvaro Tatti.”

“I can honestly say that I thought I would be a Springfield rider for ever after signing for them over a season ago and it was a bit of a surprise when I got a ‘phone call from Dave asking if I would be interested in a move to Coventry. Well, who wouldn’t? My average had forced me onto the sidelines at Springfield but even if that hadn’t been the case I don’t think I could have turned down the chance to join the Crusaders. They are a club that is admired by everyone including teams across the world. They have a great tradition and if you perform for them, the rewards will be forthcoming. I enjoyed my time last season despite struggling with a new track and the hard racing that division one has and can’t wait for this campaign to get going. I have purchased two bikes from Alvaro (Tatti) which are like rockets and I am excited about the new season, things are looking very good and let’s hope for a super season.”

Andy will probably start the season with the number seven race jacket and will be a vital force at all times but especially in heats two and eight. Hood said:

“Anyone involved in speedway knows about Coventry and their fine tradition in the sport so when I got the chance to sign for them it was a dream come true. I love it here and never want to leave, I will wait for my chance to perform in the senior side.”