Meet the SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE Tigers 2018

Kasper Andersen
Kasper Born: Bramming Denmark 22nd August 1998
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
5.20 5.20
Kasper joined King's Lynn for the 2018 season but found life in the premiership a bit of a handful. He was knocked unconcious and broke his collar-bone in an horrific three man pile up with Ricky Wells and Charles Wright at the Adrian Flux Arena at the beginning of July and lost his team place as a result. In his one home and three away matches he scored just 11 points for an average of 3.14.

Given the chance he jumped at the opportunity of joining the Tigers. On his first ever view of Owlerton he struggled, but the following night at Armadale he top scored with 13 points including a win over Ricky Wells. Six (paid eight) in the return match would have been higher if not for having to take his last ride on a borrowed machine at the last minute (literally).

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 6.00

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: n/a
in 2017: n/a  
Highest scores: Home 6+2 v Edinburgh (CL) Away 13 v Edinburgh (CL)
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Lasse Bjerre Jensen
Lasse Bjerre Born: Esbjerg Denmark 31 October 1993
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
8.32 8.32 8.18 8.36 8.07

Younger brother of Grand Prix rider Kenneth, Lasse has eight years experience of British speedway having first joined King's Lynn in August 2010 to replace the injured Joe Haines. His Owlerton debut came in 2011 for Ipswich when heat beat Shane Parker on his way to 7+1 and he doubled up with Elite league King's Lynn that year. He top scored when the Witches returned in September beating Ricky, but his highlight of the year would be lifting the Danish U21 crown at the ripe old age of 17.

When Leicester visited in 2012 Lasse scored a five ride 18 point maximum out of the Lions 37 point total and broke the minute barrier winning heat 3 in 59.9. He guested for Berwick at the end of August and his paid 13 return helped them to an away win at Owlerton.

Lasse top scored home and away for the Leicester Lions at the start of 2013, and again when they returned to Owlerton for the league match in September. He was Peterborough's top-scorer at Owlerton in 2014 and also had outings with both Leicester and Wolverhampton. He only scored 7 in the PLRC but beat both Craig Cook and eventual winner Simon Stead in the heats.

Riding for Redcar in 2015 Lasse top scored with 14+1 in the League Cup but missed the League match, ending the season with an average of 8.30. His form took a dip in 2016 and following incidents at the Fours final he found himself relieved of the captaincy. Although he spent the remainder of the year building his average back up he resolved to find himself a new club for 2017.

He settled straight in with the Tigers increasing his average by a massive 1.68 and won the Championship Best Pairs title with Kyle. He jumped at the chance to rejoin us going for back-to-back titles in 2018.

Lasse parted company with the Tigers when all chances of making the play offs had gone and relations with the promotion had soured.

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 7.17

Maximums: Full = 1 Home, Paid = 2 Home

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 61.87   24 May
in 2017: 61.1   13 July
Highest scores: Home 15 (max) v Berwick (CL) Away 11 v Newcastle (CL)
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Jan Graversen
Jan Graversen Born: Sallingsund Denmark 10th April 1987
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
n/a 5.27 4.93

Jan has had a long and varied British journeyman career riding for many clubs including Mildenhall, King's Lynn, Redcar, Stoke, Scunthorpe, Leicester, Birmingham, Coventry, Somerset and now Sheffield. His most successful season was 2009 winning the Premier League, Trophy and Knock-Out Cup with King's Lynn.
Jan joined the Tigers mid-season when Rob Branford succumbed to his shoulder injury. Along with youngster Georgie Woods he brought a solid foundation to the team who went from strength to strength. Jan swiftly became a firm favourite with the Sheffield fans.

With Josh Bates injuring his back in a pre season sledging accident, and rider replacement failing to match his expected score power the promotion turned to Jan Graversen and Georgie Wood who did so well for us the previous year. Jan struggled in the main body of the team and after eight meetings was released in favour of Broc Nicol.

Average from official fixtures in 2018 = 2.29

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 63.44 31 May
in 2017: 61.2 15 June
Highest scores: Home 6+1 v Redcar (KO) Away 6+1 v Redcar (KO)
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Kyle Howarth
Kyle Howarth Born: Ashton-under-Lyne Greater Manchester 11th February 1994
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
7.18 8.76 8.44 8.65 8.27 7.49

Kyle was an accomplished grass track and motocross competitor before turning his attention to amateur speedway in 2008. Previous clubs include Scunthorpe, Poole, Somerset, Edinburgh and Swindon but he has become an important part of the Wolverhampton Elite league team.

Kyle first doubled down with the Tigers in 2016. He soon settled in at Owlerton and after solving some machine issues in mid-season he stepped up to assume the captaincy and inspired the Tigers into the play offs, and all the way through to the final despite his team mates dropping like flies around him.

Kyle was voted 'Rider of the Year' by both the fans and track staff and was rightly the first name on the team sheet for 2017.

A fantastic season saw Kyle steer us to Championship success and the Championship Pairs title with Lasse. Having put an impressive 1.44 onto his average he intends to replace Josh Grajczonek as the Tigers No.1 but can expect stiff competition from both Lasse and Charles.

Kyle remains a Workington asset and they wanted him as a 'Comet' in 2018. When Kyle preferred another season as a 'Tiger' he initially had an unrealistic price tag but after a lengthy stand-off a loan fee was agreed. Workington fans were then shown what they're missing when Kyle finished in 3rd place behind new 'Tigers' team mate Charles Wright and Wolverhampton's Rory Schlein in their Cumberland Classic.

Kyle and his close friend Charles won the Championship Pairs title at Somerset on the eve of the British Grand Prix but his average took a dip and he lost the no.1 jacket. Sheffield then suffered four consecutive home defeats with Kyle unable to fathom the problem.

Official meetings average from 2018 = 7.27

Maximums: Paid = 2 Home

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 61.81  19 April
in 2016: 60.3  14 September
Highest scores: Home 14+1 v Newcastle (CS) Away 11+1 v Scunthorpe (CS) & Ipswich (CL)
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Todd William Kurtz
Todd Kurtz Born: Cowra, New South Wales Australia 4th November 1992
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sept CMA Oct CMA
5.23 5.22 5.53 5.81 5.77 5.76

Todd's kid brother Brady is well known to Tigers fans as he has guested for us on many occasions in the last few years. Todd's Owlerton appearances have not been quite as spectacular and before joining us his highest score was 4+2 with Plymouth in 2016.

Todd was U16 New South Wales, and U16 Australian champion in 2008 before joining National league Newport in 2009. He rode in both Premier and National leagues for the Wasps in 2010 and after becoming Australian Long Track champion he returned to Newport and Coventry in 2011. He defended his Aussie Long Track title in 2012 before joining Plymouth, with whom he stayed in 2013.

He helped Somerset to a Premier Fours win in 2014 before returning to Plymouth, going on to claim another Fours win with the Devils in 2016.

Todd's best result in 2017 was a 5 ride paid maximum against Berwick and as a 'Driller man' ever since his Newport days he enjoys working closely with his sponsor, Sheffield co-promoter Peter Mole. In 2018 he is doubling up with Leicester 'Lions' in the Premiership, although the promoters and his team manager are the same in both leagues. The extra action seems to suit Todd and he is improving his average week by week.

Official meetings average from 2018 = 5.97

Maximums: Paid = 1 Home

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 61.1  5 July
in 2017: 61.5  22 June
Highest scores: Home 13+3 v Ipswich (CL) Away 12 v Redcar (CS)
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Joe Lawlor
Joe Lawlor Born: Manchester Greater Manchester 29th June 2000
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
2.00
Joe joined us a replacement for Georgie Woods. He was showing promising form riding for Belle Vue Colts but struggled to match the pace of the Championship opposition.

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 0.89

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: tba
in 2017: n/a  
Highest scores: Home 2 v Scunthorpe (CL) Away n/a
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Connor Mountain
Connor Mountain Born: King's Lynn Norfolk 26th August 1997
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
3.62 3.43
Connor started his career with Coventry in 2015 before joining Ipswich the following year. He rode in 44 matches for the Witches in 2017 and finished with an average of 4.27. His 2018 average dropped to 3.62 before the Witches dropped him. Connor turned a few heads by winning the Sheffield Top Gun meeting and was snapped up by Leicester in the Premiership, and subsequently the Tigers. Connor won heat 14 on his way to a four point tally on his Tigers debut.

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 4.00

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 63.88 23 August
in 2017: 63.29 14 September
Highest scores: Home 4 v Newcastle (CL) Away 8+2 v Scunthorpe (CL)
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Broc Nicol
Broc Nicol Born: Torrance California USA 22nd April 1998
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
5.20 5.20 4.00 4.00
Broc's only previous experience in Britain was two World Team Cup matches for the USA in which he scored just one point. He has a very useful sponsor in the shape of Hagon Shocks. In his second ever race at Owlerton he blasted around the field to head home Richie Worrall and Paul Starke. Excellent returns at both Scunthorpe and Lakeside were unfortunately not matched at home even when he reverted to reserve in the last home match against Edinburgh.

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 3.49

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 62.19 21 June
in 2017: n/a
Highest scores: Home 7+1 v Redcar (CL) Away 11+1 v Lakeside (CL)
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James Shanes
James Shanes Born: Dorchester Dorset 17th March 1997
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
3.74 4.53 4.32 4.63 4.92 4.88

James has been competing on motorbikes since 2003 at the age of six. He is an accomplished competitor on the grass with championship wins in 2010, 2011 and was British U21 Champion in 2014, also winning the British Masters for the first time that year. He defending his Masters win in 2015 and added British Sand Racing Champion to his c.v. Another British Masters win in 2016 was joined with the European Championship title in Folkstone, which he defended in Hertingen (Germany) last year.

His speedway career started with Coventry Mercia in 2013, Devon Demons in 2014 and Kent Kings in 2015 & 16. He won the Elite League title with Poole last year when he also guested for the Tigers in both of the away wins at Peterborough. His summer grass and long track commitments precluded him joining the Tigers then, but he was happy to sign up for the 2018 season.

James qualified for the British U21 final with an 11 point return in the semi-final at Eastbourne but will not compete in the final at Berwick due to a prior commitment in Germany. James had much success on the long and grass tracks on the continent but showed intermittent form at Owlerton although remaining a firm favourite with the fans.

Current average from official fixtures in 2018 = 4.84

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 62.1 21 June
in 2017: n/a  
Highest scores: Home 11+3 v Ipswich (CL) Away 10+2 v Redcar (CS) & Edinburgh (CL)
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Jackson Andrew Smith
Jack Smith Born: Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire 17th December 1998
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
2.51 2.69 3.07

Young Jack hails from good speedway stock being the son of Andy and nephew of Paul. He's had a glittering start to his speedway career winning both the National Trophy and National League championship with Birmingham in 2016, and then both the National League championship and Knock-Out Cup with Belle Vue II last year.

Jack started his season in style top scoring with 14 points for the Colts against Coventry. In his home debut he encountered probably the strongest reserve pair in the league, but made a fantastic start in his last ride and followed team mate Charles Wright home for a paid win ahead of Matt Wethers and Ashley Morris and the loudest cheer of the night.

Jack became another victim of the averages system when losing his place to Georgie Wood when he and Jan Graversen were introduced to bolster the team.

Average from official fixtures in 2018 = 2.82

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: tba  
in 2017: n/a  
Highest scores: Home 6+2 v Redcar (CS) Away 4+1 v Glasgow (CL)
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Georgie Wood
Georgie Wood Born: Maidstone Kent 8th September 1993
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
2.31 2.26

Josh Bates had picked up a devastating re-season back injury in a sledging accident and the rider replacement facility was not producing the points required so they gambled that the pair who did such a good job for them at the end of the previous season would do so again. Neither Jan or Georgie set the track alight and Georgie stepped aside at the end of July citing that with another baby on the way he couldn't cope with all the traveling.

Average from official fixtures in 2018 = 2.20

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 64.75  5 July
in 2017: 62.3  24 August
Highest scores: Home 4+1 v Ipswich (CL) Away 4 v Lakeside (CL)
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Charles Martin Wright
Charles Wright Born: Stockport Cheshire 26th October 1988
Init CMA May CMA June CMA July CMA Aug CMA Sep CMA Oct CMA
7.47 7.62 8.18 8.65 8.35 8.21

Charles is another rider from a family steeped in the speedway tradition. Many will know of his brother James, but he's also the grandson of ex Liverpool, Bradford but chiefly Belle Vue rider Jim Yacoby. Charles is another product of the Buxton set-up but has also got long associations with Workington, and more recently Somerset.

Last year with Redcar he came within a stones throw of the Championship Best Pairs title until an over exuberant last bend effort saw him skittle his best mate Kyle Howarth off earning him an exclusion.

Charles continues to double up with Somerset in the Elite but the new date arrangements should mean he has no clashing fixtures.

He got the season off to a good start with second place behind Rory Schlein in the Cumberland Classic at Workington and followed it with a sparkling six ride paid maximum in the home Shield match against Newcastle. Charles parted company with the Rebels after a disagreement with their promoter, but was soon offered a place at Leicester. He and his close friend Kyle Howarth won the Championship League Pairs crown at Somerset on the eve of the Cardiff GP and Charles took over to No.1 race jacket with the release of the August green sheets.

Average from official fixtures in 2018 = 8.22

Maximums: Paid = 1 Home, Full =2 Home

photograph by: Geoff Ridsdale Fastest times at Owlerton in 2018: 61.66  5 April
in 2017: 62.5  8 October
Highest scores: Home 16+2 v Newcastle (CS) Away 17+1 v Redcar (CL)
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