The Lakeside Hammers will complete their push for this season’s Championship silverware at Hertfordshire’s Rye House stadium after one last farewell to their Essex home on Friday, September 14.

This follows final confirmation of the decision to close the Arena Essex Raceway to all motorsports at the end of the year.

And club owner Stuart Douglas said it was a decision made in the best interests of the team.

“We have acted swiftly to ensure that the Hammers can continue racing not only this season, but for the foreseeable future,” said Douglas.

“We had a one time opportunity to take the club to Rye House, a stadium with superb and ever improving facilities for the speedway fan, and it’s one we are excited to embrace.

“Our ongoing discussions with Thurrock Council and other sporting partners for a sports hub the town both deserves and needs will continue, while we can now enjoy a stadium designed for speedway, with the race night availability needed to both race and compete.”

Fixtures are already agreed for meetings against the Peterborough Panthers on Sunday, September 23 and Saturday, September 29 and a reserved play-off date on Saturday, October 6.

Lakeside Hammers return to the Arena Essex Raceway on Friday, September 14 against the Glasgow Tigers.

>Richard Lawson finished runner-up to Craig Cook in the showpiece Championship Riders’ Individual at Sheffield.