Leigh Lanham has had a successful operation to remove the steel pin from the thigh he broke in the opening meeting of the 2000 season.

The Arena Essex rider was to spend the rest of the year on the sidelines, but returned last summer to recapture the form that made him one of the leading lights in the Premier League.

"I've been told to rest for a couple of weeks and then I can resume my fitness campaign. I should be in peak condition by the start of the new season," said Lanham.

And the Ipswich-based rider will need to be racing fit because he doesn't just have his Hammers' commitments to deal with.

Lanham is to turn out for his local track in the Elite League having come top of a newspaper poll of riders the Ipswich fans wanted to see in one of the Witches' reserve positions.

Ronnie Russell has been named by Arena as joint promoter with Colin Brine and is to share the team manager's role with Martin Goodwin.

"When the chance came to rejoin Arena, I didn't hesitate for a second," explained Russell. "The place will be buzzing this year with a new number one (Kelvin Tatum), a new track shape and a very professional presentation. I know Colin Brine is very ambitious."

Russell was team manager during the successful era of the 90s at the Thurrock raceway when his brother Terry and Ivan Henry were promoters.

Arena open their season with an afternoon rather than an evening start. The curtain goes up on Good Friday, March 29, with the first leg of a challenge match with league newcomers Rye House.

As it's a bank holiday, Hammers have opted for a 3pm rather than their traditional 8pm start.

The next day, is the second leg against the Rockets in Hoddesdon and then on the Tuesday (April 2) Arena are on the road and on the water because they go to the Isle of Wight in the Premier Trophy.

Reading visit on the Friday in the same competition, while it's Swindon that provide the first Premier League opposition at Arena on April 26.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002