b. 7th December 1982 (age 25)

Leszno, Poland

Lukasz's Website

LUKASZ Jankowski possesses one of the best-known surnames in Polish speedway because his father, Roman, was a star of his era when his international rivals included Belle Vue promoter and team manager Chris Morton.

But Lukasz, whose brothers also ride speedway, is determined to make his own name in Britain after a disappointing start.

He was on the strength at Oxford until they closed down during last season to leave him clubless in this country. His registration reverted to the British Speedway Promoters' Association and Belle Vue nipped in to sign him as a full Aces' asset.

He made his debut in the final meeting of last season against Peterborough at King's Lynn but that didn't ensure him a team place for 2008.

Indeed, he might have struggled to get in with his assessed average of five but Morton raised the issue with the Promoters' Association, claiming it was too high based on his performances in Sweden and Poland. They agreed and reduced it to four and, finally, he slotted in nicely with that revised figure.

Jankowski still had to sweat, though, as the promoters juggled the figures to get as close to the 38.85 limit as possible. He made regular phone calls for updates on the situation before his persistence was rewarded with one of the two second string berths.

He arrived at Belle Vue with something of a reputation as a sharp gater and it will be interesting to see how he develops during the season on the various shapes and sizes of British tracks. But he is confident he will improve on his starting four-point average and, in the first instance, that is all Belle Vue can expect from a rider in his first Elite League season.

He said: "It is an honour for me to be able to ride for a club like Belle Vue, especially in their 80th season. "It was a good effort by the club management that they managed to have my average reduced from five to four because that allowed me to fit into the team and race in England. "It's difficult to say what my average will be at the end of the season. It would be okay if I could get it up to five but my main aim is just to raise it."

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