NEW Glasgow man Luke Chessell insists his gangly frame can give him a leg up to speedway success – by emulating one of the sport’s greats.
The 6ft 3in racer has become the sixth Tigers signing for 2019, where he’ll occupy one of the reserve berths.
He impressed fans with his leg-trailing style in a brief spell with the club back in 2016, when guesting for injury victim Danny Ayres, but was himself forced to sit on the sidelines in the following two years.
Now making his return to the sport, the 28-year-old says his unusually tall figure doesn’t hinder him too much – because British great Michael Lee made it work on his way to 1980 world title success.
Chessell said: “I am quite tall, and smaller riders do have an advantage, but Michael Lee was World Champion and he was pretty tall with a gangly style – so hopefully I can turn it round and make it happen. That’s who I idolise as a rider.
“I came up to Glasgow in 2016 and upset the neighbours – I did a practice and they weren’t too keen on the noise! But it paid dividends and I won the first race. I was having a good night and riding well but I had an engine failure when I was in second or third and that was it.
“In 2017 I took a year out through choice. I did sign for the Championship then but pulled out. I needed to get some money behind me and wanted to do it properly. Then I signed for Stoke to start again in 2018 and broke my leg in America riding motocross.
“It was tough – I got stuck in hospital out there for four weeks and had two operations, and came home with a load of metalwork in my leg. But you live and learn, and I’m over the worst of it now.
“I’m still getting towards my fitness but I’ve got a good few months ahead of me now. I’m doing pushbike, gym, physio – just everything, as much as I can.”
Englishman Chessell – who will double-up with Stoke in the National League next season – joins Craig Cook, Claus Vissing, Paul Starke, James Sarjeant and Joe Lawlor in the line-up, with one rider still to be named.