Plymouth OBM Gladiators Speedway have made a change to the lower order of their team in the No 7 Reserve position.
23 year old Ben Whalley, the current New Zealand Champion , who has been earning very positive reviews for his form with the Edinburgh Academy in the National Development league, and with Bookings for other Teams at that level, is being introduced into the Team to replace Tom Spencer.
Mark Phillips the Club Owner and Director said that following conversations with Team Manager Gary May, that both felt that after the Team reached the Championship Knock Out Cup Final , with a 2 Leg win over Redcar Bears last weekend, that the No 7 reserve position was an area that they needed to address and reconsider.
Mark was very eager to point out his gratitude, respect and admiration for the 100% efforts made by Tom Spencer who will be leaving the Club, and thanked him for his efforts for the Team. "It's always hardest to replace a guy who always gives you 100% in every race, Tom is a great guy and has ridden to the very best of his ability, but we have to be ready and willing to compete for the Knock Out Cup and to aim for the League Play Offs , with the best possible 7 man team that we can muster. Gary and I and i;m sure all of our Sponsors and Fans thank Tom for always doing his best for the Team, on and off the Track"
We have decided that Ben deserves a chance at this level. He is 23, is the current New Zealand Champion, an honour that will always carry massive kudos in the Sprt given the golden past of Kiwi legends, and he comes with Antipodean experience and his home Country and Australia and he has made a very favourable impression in his first UK season with the Edinburgh Academy. He has been winning races at that level and nothing breeds confidence lik winning races at any level of the Sport.
We look forward to working with Ben and to give him all the support and assistance he needs and we know that Scott (Nicholls) and Danny (King) will be on hand to offer him the benefit of their extensive knowledge, as will Ben (Barker) and other Members of the Team.