SPEEDWAY: Reserve spot's just Wright! (From Swindon Advertiser)

SPEEDWAY: Reserve spot's just Wright!

9:19am Monday 2nd June 2008 in

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WOLVERHAMPTON be warned - James Wright has already given one stunning demonstration of exactly what he thinks about being demoted' to Robins' reserve.

The Cheshire-born youngster slipped out of the main body of the team - to be replaced by previous reserve Seb Alden - when Swindon's full 2008 averages were published last week and came in to effect yesterday.

And the 21-year-old subsequently made a mockery of that enforced switch by storming to a superb top-six spot in last Thursday's British Final at the Abbey Stadium, earning a place in next year's Grand Prix qualifiers for good measure.

After a few weeks of self-confessed struggle, a rejuvenated Wright is now aiming to make hay in the No 6 position, with the Wolves first in his sights at Monmore Green in the Elite League tonight (7.30pm).

"It will be good for me to get a few rides and get loads of points," said the former Belle Vue man.

"That's what I want. I don't want to stay at reserve - I didn't want to go down there - but I'm looking at it as a plus and I'll use those extra rides and extra points to get my confidence up and do well."

Mechanical gremlins had stunted Wright's progress in the preceding few weeks, ironically coinciding with a dip in the superb early-season form of the young Swindon side.

But he is confident those issues are firmly in the past, as he prepares for an action-packed June that will see Robins contest eight meetings home and away.

Wright added: "I know I've sussed my gremlins out with the bike. We tried a few things out and it was definitely going better, so that's a bonus.

"We've got to go there (Wolverhampton) and get a win because we got beaten at home (by Poole) last week and we've got to make up for that."

The Stockport man actually emerged from the British Final disappointed, as he just failed to grab the enticing British Grand Prix wildcard spot that was up for grabs.

Eastbourne's Edward Kennett eventually took the honour, joining British regulars Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls in Cardiff later this month.

But Wright admitted: "I've not disgraced anyone. When I look back on what I did - getting third in the meeting overall - I'm pleased.

"I didn't expect to be in that position and that's why I was quite disappointed not to go the whole way (to a Grand Prix wildcard)."

Team boss Alun Rossiter believes Wright's performance last Thursday was a vindication of the management's decision to bring the rising star to the Abbey Stadium.

Rosco added: "It was an excellent performance by James. I don't think anyone expected that from him.

"He was beating himself up a bit at the end, but I thought he did himself proud.

"James knows that he was below-par against Poole and I know he wants to do well.

"At the end of the day, he has done his job. We knew he has got the ability. If we get his gating sorted, he can go a lot further."

Wolves have proved vulnerable at home in 2008, with three defeats already, although they did edge Belle Vue 48-45 in their last Monmore Green outing seven days ago.

They could be without injured Grand Prix ace Niels-Kristian Iversen, but Nicolai Klindt, Kenneth Hansen and Christian Hefenbrock could return.