By John Walsh

Last updated 15:53, Wednesday, 12 March 2008

WORKINGTON Comets will blast off into the 2008 season with a new look.

Successful West Cumbrian businessman, Keith Denham, bought the club in November from Tony Mole, who had re-launched the Comets, at Derwent Park in 1999.

It’s been a virtual re-branding of speedway in Workington, although the popular Comets name is still prominent – and expected to take an even higher profile on the West Cumbrian sporting scene.

Denham believes he can deliver the ultimate motor-sport spectacle: exciting racing in a fan-friendly stadium. “We used to call Saturday night the Workington experience when speedway came back in 1999 but it fell away. We want to bring those days back and make them even better,” he says.

The Derwent Park track has been re-laid and various improvements have been made to the stadium, including the floodlights, starting gate, safety fence and pits area. There are plans for corporate boxes and a viewing terrace, while the car park is to be improved.

Ian Thomas is back in the role of team manager and he believes the make-over has been a remarkable effort.

“When I first went down this year I saw this fellow walking across the centre green carrying a load of wood. It was Keith Denham, very much in a hands-on role. The place is a picture and I am sure is going to be appreciated by the fans and also the riders, because the track looks awesome,” said Ian.

The Comets have, for too long, been the under-achievers in Premier League speedway and both Denham and Thomas feel they have put together a team which can make a big impression this season.

Daniel Nermark, the man who will be the new number one, has the best average from 2007 of any rider contesting the Premier League this season.

With skipper Kauko Nieminen and Carl Stonehewer in support, Workington have an ultra-impressive top three.

The big disappointment in February was a serious injury to Craig Branney, who broke his leg in five places when he was contesting the ice spectacular, at Telford.

Workington were very fortunate to be able to recruit, as his replacement, an experienced campaigner Scott Smith, even though he hasn’t ridden speedway for two years.

Craig’s brother John is back, at reserve, and also returning is Charles Wright, although elder brother James has now joined Elite League club, Swindon, and will not be riding in the Premier League.

Completing the line-up is one of speedway’s whiz-kids, 16-year-old Joe Haines who has come-up through the Conference League ranks and is ready to make his mark at the next level.

Workington fans will get the chance to see the riders in action for the first time when the team holds a public practice at Derwent Park on Saturday, March 15 (11-30am).

The Comets will be back at the track on Tuesday, March 18 (at noon) for a closed doors practice.

Then there will be a few anxious days, making final preparations for the opening competitive match, which is at Berwick on Easter Saturday (March 22), in the Premier Trophy.

The return match at Derwent Park, on Easter Monday (March 22, 7pm) officially launches the new season in West Cumbria.