Kenny Ingalls Replaces John Branney 

 

TOP-rated American prospect Kenny Ingalls has signed for Workington Comets and will make his debut on Friday night at Edinburgh.

 

The 22-year-old Californian rider will move into the number seven reserve slot with Rusty Harrison switching to the main body of the team at number two.

 

It means that the Comets have had to release local rider John Branney who had started the season at reserve and did well enough to move up to number two.

 

Unfortunately Branney hasn’t been able to carry that point-scoring spree into his role higher up the order and has been sacrificed to make room for Ingalls.

 

It’s the second change of the season from the side introduced to the public on Press Day three months ago as Harrison replaced Adam Roynon last month.

 

The American, who toured Britain earlier in the season with his country’ Dream Team, will start on an average of five points.

 

Club owner Keith Denham had been impressed with Ingalls when they saw him riding for the Dream Team in a match at Newcastle.

 

Last week Stoke Potters were on the verge of announcing Ingalls as a new signing but had to scrap the plan because of problems over work permits.

 

Workington have been able to sort-out the necessary paper-work so that Ingalls, who will be based in the Midlands, can make his debut at Armadale.

 

He was at Derwent Park last Saturday and after the meeting with Newcastle Diamonds he had a practice session on the track.

 

Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “It’s always hard having to tell a rider that he is being dropped from the team and in John Branney’s case it was particularly difficult. Everyone knows he is totally committed to Workington Comets and has always given 100% and more.

 

“We just felt that it was time to make a change and with a rider of Ingall’s potential available we had to move quickly.”

 

Meanwhile Workington have confirmed that heat leader Chris Schramm is taking over the captaincy of the team from Andre Compton.

 

Schramm did a good job as stand-in skipper when Compton was injured earlier in the season and he’s been asked to take over permanently.

 

Compton is standing down to concentrate on his own racing, looking to recapture the form of last season.

 

“Giving Chris the job will take some of the added pressure off me so that I can focus on my own racing,” said Compton.

 

“He gets on well with all the other lads in the team and has the right leadership qualities,” he added.

 

Schramm’s first duties will be to lead the team into action at Armadale on Friday.