KING’S Lynn’s riders have been getting in plenty of track time as the countdown to the new top-flight season continues.

The PSH Environmental Stars have to wait until Thursday April 9 to get their campaign underway when they visit Ipswich in a Knockout Cup fixture, with the return at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday April 13.

But despite the lack of team activity at this stage, all have been putting in the laps both in the UK and abroad, with plenty of racing since Nicolai Klindt’s testimonial meeting in mid-March.

New No.1 Max Fricke enjoyed a notable victory at Bydgoszcz over the weekend as he won the prestigious Criterion of Aces meeting in a top line-up which featured the likes of Emil Sayfutdinov and Artem Laguta.

Fricke won his first four rides and had victory overall sewn up even before the final block of races, and he has also been involved in sparring matches for Grudziadz against local rivals Torun.

Jan Kvech and Ben Cook have also been in action in Poland, the Czech star scoring eight points from three rides for Rybnik in their win at Opole, whilst the Australian notched an eleven-point haul for Leszno against Poznan.

Skipper Chris Harris has ridden in the Peter Craven Memorial at Belle Vue, where he reached the semi-final, and also the Ben Fund Bonanza at Glasgow, whilst Paco Castagna gets started for Edinburgh this weekend after press and practice last Friday.

Youngster Cooper Rushen has been gaining experience in Leszno although the weather denied him an appearance in the Alfred Smoczyk Memorial. He will make his debut at Championship level for Poole this weekend.

Meanwhile Rising Star Jody Scott has been the busiest of all in the UK with Redcar having already raced three matches, starting with a challenge against a Newcastle Select.

Scott scored three points in that meeting, followed up by 3+1 at Scunthorpe in the BSN Series, before a very impressive display in the home return against the Scorpions as he scored eight points from four rides in a 58-32 victory.

Due to the lateness of overall Premiership arrangements for this season, the Stars will not be holding a formal press and practice day, with their official photos set to take place on the afternoon of the opening home meeting on April 13.

Although this means there is no ‘meet the riders’ as has become traditional on press day, the riders will all be attending the post-match talk-in in the bar after the Ipswich home fixture, and will be happy to take fans’ questions on the night.

Elsewhere, the club are delighted to see Klindt and Niels-Kristian Iversen, along with Luke Harrison as Rising Star, fixed up with Premiership newcomers Northampton, and we look forward to seeing them at the AFA for the Foxes’ opening fixture on April 20.