Tyson Burmeister's farewell to Wolves

One race win, a dismal average of under two points a match and a series of crashes hardly represent the American dream for Wolves rider Tyson Burmeister.

But the Californian is taking the positives from his debut league campaign – and he may yet return.

Burmeister may be 27, a former professional supercross rider and a talented all-rounder on the throttle but, in speedway terms, he remains a novice having first thrown a leg over a bike under three years ago.

British top-flight racing was always going to make heavy demands of him, the sudden death of his father, Tom, part way through the season then proved too much.

Burmeister eventually came back to Britain after the funeral but has now ended his season early.

But his last words in public before crossing the Atlantic this week were to thank the club.

He said: "I met a lot of great people, I experienced British league speedway at the highest level.

"There's a lot of personal stuff that's happened in my life and I just can't concentrate on racing now.

"So I'm just going to go home, sort my head out, kind of see where I land and get comfortable again.

"Hopefully, I get the energy to come back 100 per cent, but my main concern now is myself. Obviously, I've been thinking about it ever since I came back to England.

"I was meant to come back a lot earlier and I didn't get on the first plane back here. I kind of talked myself into coming back and, ever since, I have been back my head's been cloudy.

"My head's been back at home with what's happened. So I just finally made the decision. Racing has been my life and it's the first time that I've had to put it on the back burner.

"Obviously everyone's seen me struggle – and it wasn't through a lack of trying. But when I did make the decision to go home, a little over two weeks ago, it was a breath of fresh air.

"I got the energy again."

By Tim Hamblin