WINKLEBURY-BASED promoter Malcolm Holloway believes his Reading Racers side can match the best in the Premier League this season.

Since leaving the Elite League at the end of the 2007 season, he has built a completely new team, with Australian Mark Lemon the new number one and captain.

The other two heat leaders, at three and five, are Danish duo Ulrich Ostergaard and Tom P Madsen.

Racing number two will be the Czech Republic's Tomas Suchanek and the number four will be Chelmsford-born Chris Mills.

The reserves starting the campaign will be English pair Danny Warwick and Jamie Smith.

Holloway said: "I am very happy with the team we have put together and Ulrich Ostergaard and Tom P Madsen have already made a bet between themselves as to who will be number one first for the team.

"At the practices, I have been impressed with Tomas Suchanek. He has really been on the gas and is going to push the top three.

"I think Jamie Smith is also one to watch. He has suffered with injuries - broken legs and hips - but by the end of the season he will have a six-point average."

Racers fans had a chance to see the new riders in action at the club press day.

But the scheduled season opener last Monday at home against Rye House was postponed because of the weather so the first match at Smallmead Stadium will now be tonight in the first of a two-leg challenge match against Somerset.

The second leg is on Friday before Isle of Wight provide the opposition for the Chalfont Coaches Trophy.

The first leg is away on Saturday, with the home return the following night.

The season proper opens with a Premier Trophy fixture at Newport on Sunday, March 30.

Holloway said: "We have six challenge meetings before the start of the Premier League, so everyone should be race-fit by then.

"We have a good team and I am sure we will be at the right end of the table.

The promoter added: "I have a trophy cabinet. We will have to wait and see if I get the chance to put something in it this season."