Aces ready to welcome the world's best

The cream of the cycle speedway world will head to their Ashmore Park track in Griffiths Drive on Sunday, when the club hosts the world championships.

And while the Aces continue to clock up honours on the track, the staging of this event is a real success story and a tale of community spirit coming to the rescue.

In 2012, the Aces were in disarray after their club-house was burned to the ground in an arson attack.

But with the support of local businesses and people from around the area, the club is ready to welcome the world's best riders and chairman-secretary Dave Jewkes couldn't be happier.

He said: "It's not very often you get a world championship event in Wolverhampton. It's the biggest day in the club's history. We have staged the European Championship before but never the Worlds.

"It's a real coup for the club. We were the victims of an arson attack in 2012 where the club-house was completely gutted.

"But we had fantastic help from the local community and a number of local businesses. They supplied materials and local builders helped rebuild the club-house.

"To stage an event like this is a reward for all that hard work and support we received. It will be a proud day for the club."

Jewkes and the club's dedicated committee have been working tirelessly to bring Aces' facilities to a standard worthy of this prestigious event with extra seating being installed to cater for a bumper crowd.

He said: "We have been working really hard to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day. I have had plenty of late nights putting the programme together.

"There is a new pits area and we are hiring a temporary stand because we are expecting a crowd of over 1,000."

Riders from across the UK and as far afield as Poland and Australia will be slugging it out for glory in three events – juniors, women's and open senior.

The finals have attracted two major sponsors with Wolverhampton-based Tyre City and Willenhall-based Yale-Assa Abbloy adding their support and backing.

And while the day already promises to be an occasion to remember for the Aces it could be extra-special special with three home riders, including Jewkes' son, Chris, hoping to join the showdown for senior glory.

First-team skipper Chris and team-mates Ben Mould and Paul Heard will be in semi-final action tomorrow at East Park Wolves' track and Birmingham's Perry Park base bidding to book their places for the final.

Jewkes, who used to ride in the late 60s and has been with the club for 25 years, said: "It would be great to see them competing in the final on their own track.

"All three are in with a good chance. You couldn't wish for a better place to race for a world title than on your own track.

"That could be an advantage because they will obviously be used to the shape and the lines they have to ride."

Three of Aces' talented youngsters – Haydn Rowley, Brandon Whetton and Lee Kemp – will be competing in the junior championships.

Sunday's action will start with the Junior event at 1pm,with the women's race following at 3pm before the open senior battle at 5pm.