Lynn Stars have confirmed the return of Rob Lyon as co-promoter and team manager for the 2024 season.
They have also made a quick start to their team building with spectacular Danish youngster Benjamin Basso the first name to be announced for what will be a new-look Premiership line-up.
Lyon was team manager throughout the club’s golden era in the old Premier League during the mid to late 2000s, and was in charge when they first returned to the top flight in 2011, reaching the play-offs in two of their first four seasons at that level.
He has also had a spell as national boss with Great Britain and for the last three seasons has managed the Stars’ A47 rivals Peterborough, who are sadly now prevented from racing at their Showground venue.
Basso, 22, is one of the best talents to emerge from Denmark in recent years and rode under Lyon’s management for the Panthers in 2022-23, rapidly rising from the reserve berths into the main body of the team.
He was also a member of the Glasgow side who clinched the Championship league title last month against his former club Poole.
And given his all-out racing style, Basso – who joins on a 6.25 average – is sure to become a big favourite with supporters at the Adrian Flux Arena.
Next season he will be focusing on three leagues – racing for the Stars in the UK, Fjelsted in his home country and for Lodz in Polish Division One.
Lyon said: “I’m delighted to be back with Lynn Speedway, it’s always been a place close to my heart and we had plenty of good times here in the past.
“We are building a team which we believe will be very successful for the coming season, and the aim is to bring some trophies back to Lynn.”
On Basso, he added: “Benjamin showed what he can do during his two years with Peterborough and there’s plenty more to come, especially with the experience he now has, so it’s great to have him with us and it’s a positive start to the team.
“Whilst it’s good to be back, I must also say again how sad it is for the sport to have lost Peterborough for the time being. It’s a fantastic club with great supporters, and I do hope it can return in the near future.”
The club placed on record its thanks to David Hoggart for stepping in as team manager during one of the most difficult periods in their history this year: “David will always be a welcome visitor at the Adrian Flux Arena and we wish him well for the future.”
