SPEEDWAY: BIRMINGHAM skipper Darryl Ritchings has vowed to be fit for their huge home clash with Eastbourne next week.
The 22-year-old is struggling with a badly burnt leg sustained in a racing incident last week and was due to miss Bank Holiday Monday’s fixture against the Isle of Wight.
But Ritchings was one of few people glad to see the meeting rained off and is now working hard to be ready for a repeat of the 2016 Grand Final at Perry Barron Wednesday, June 7.
Ritchings said: “I’ll be honest, I was actually quite glad in one way when I saw it had been rained off.
“It was a good chance for the lads to carry their run on – but I was desperate to be a part of it.
“I slid off at Swindon last week and as I hit the ground, my knee pad moved and scraped my leg all across the ground.”
Ritchings admitted the crash caused some of the worst pain he’s experienced, and added he’s felt uncomfortable.
He said: “I need to let some fresh air get to it now because it’s starting to scab but I’ll do everything I can to make sure it’s good for next week.
“The rain-off means it will be another fixture I can be a part of later in the year – but Eastbourne is now our focus.
“It’s going to be our biggest meeting of the season so far and it’s going to take a full team effort to get the win.”
