Track Talk: Morris a man of the people at Monmore

All too often they’re too busy packing their van, grabbing a quick shower and shooting off to ride for a different club the night after a meeting – and in many cases in a different country.

So I’m particularly pleased to see how well local boy Ash Morris is doing this season at Wolverhampton.

He’s scored well in his appearances to date and as a rider from the area it’s a real bonus to have someone the fans can relate to... one of their own.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with him during two different spells with Cradley – he helped us to the clean sweep in the National League in 2013 – and he’s a hero among the Heathens brethren.

This season he’s doubling up with Newcastle in the Championship and scoring some good points for the Diamonds. I believe he was one of the first names on the team sheet. Mind you, there’s a bit of a difference in accent between Geordie and Black Country!

Ash has had the support of family and friends right from his first laps at Scunthorpe in 2009 before becoming our first Heathens signing when we relaunched the club in 2010.

Everyone likes him. He’s always got a smile on his face (apart from when he blew his chance of winning the Golden Hammer last October when I felt it was best to steer clear for a bit) and he’s great with younger supporters.

There have been times, I’m sure, when he’s considered his future in the sport but this year it seems as though he’s very much come of age. I don’t make a habit out of singling riders out for special praise but in this instance I believe Ashley deserves it. And long may it continue.

Meanwhile, both Heathens and Wolves are in action over the next 48 hours.

Cradley head to Leicester tomorrow for the opening National Trophy meeting of the season against Coventry. And on Monday King’s Lynn visit Wolverhampton in Premiership action – and the Stars have made a tidy start to the season.

They’ve welcomed back Niels-Kristian Iversen after a year away – remember him in Wolves colours a decade ago now? – and British sensation Robert Lambert is widely tipped to become a Grand Prix star in the future.

On the subject of British youngsters, I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing.

Dan Bewley is the boy everyone is talking about right now after his stunning heat 15 ride for Belle Vue against Rye House to notch a full house.

British Speedway has taken a good kicking from critics in recent years, particularly since the wonderful world of social media developed. And while it’s fair to say the Poles are still very much leading the way when it comes to teenage stars emerging, we aren’t doing too bad.

At National League level, Kyle Bickley and Jack Smith are looking sharp for Belle Vue Colts, I’m hearing good reports of Jason Edwards, Drew Kemp and Jordan Jenkins plus Leon Flint scored a maximum on his Birmingham bow.