Loram a Hammer again.

The 2000 World Speedway Champion, Mark Loram, will be riding for the Arena-Essex Hammers in 2005. That was the major news to come from the Hammers Supporters Club Presentation Night, which took place on Saturday evening at the Thurrock Hotel.

In front of a packed audience the Hammers Promoter, Ronnie Russell, announced that their inspirational No.1 in 2004 had agreed to return to the Purfleet based Club in 2005. The news was greeted with loud cheers from all those present.

It was a good night for Loram as he walked away with three awards. He was voted "Hammer of the Year" by members of the Supporters Club, he won the "Ruth and Gordon Cox Rider of the Year Award" presented by Steve and Sandra Gibbons and the "Dave Willsher Memorial Award" presented by Rose Willsher. In addition, along with all other members of the 2004 side, he received a memento to commemorate the side's return to the top division of the Sport in this Country.

Unfortunately the Hammers former captain, Kelvin Tatum, was unable to attend the event at the last moment as he entered hospital that morning to undertake his hip replacement operation. He had only returned earlier in the week from New Zealand, where he just failed in his attempt to win his fourth World Longtrack Championship.

A heartbreaking machine problem on the last lap of his final ride robbed him of the Championship. In his absence Promoter Ronnie Russell accepted a special "Services to Speedway Award" presented by members of the Supporters Club Committee on his behalf.

The Hammers Promoter explained why Kelvin was unable to be there and mentioned that if any supporters wished to send any messages or cards to Kelvin that they should be sent via the Speedway office. Furthermore he informed those present that Kelvin hoped to be at Leigh Lanham's re-arranged Testimonial Meeting, which is likely to take place towards the beginning of the 2005 season.

The Supporters Club made another "Special Award" to Bob Miller, who has been involved with Speedway at Arena-Essex from their very first meeting back in 1984. He is well known to the supporters as the Club's announcer. He has missed just a handful of meetings in the twenty years that he has been involved with the Club. Ronnie Russell presented him with a plaque celebrating his achievement.

The Supporters Club "Achievement Award " for 2004 went to American Josh Larsen, who returned to the side after a break of eight years. Once again, he became extremely popular with the supporters and has already publicly stated that he would not ride for any club in this Country, apart from the Hammers.

Dean Barker, who arrived late due to part of the M25 being shut, received the "Annual Bonus Point Trophy". He scored a total of 37 bonus points in all the SkyBet Elite Speedway League matches, which was just one more point has his nearest rival, Josh Larsen, scored.

Di Farmer, the Chair of the Supporters Club Committee presented her personal award, "The Ringrow Memorial Trophy" to long serving Hammer, Leigh Lanham.
It was an extremely well attended evening, which started with a formal dinner and concluded with a disco. Now all the supporters are waiting for news of the names of the remaining riders who will ride for the Hammers in 2005.

Those details, however, are unlikely to be confirmed until after the Promoters annual Conference, which is due to take place next week. Their appetite has, however, already been whetted by the welcome news that Mark Loram will be in the 2005 team.