Thursday 16th February 2012, 11:33

British hotshot Lee Richardson is determined to fight off new team mates Peter Karlsson and Davey Watt in the battle to be Lakeside No.1.

Richardson has ruled the roost at the Arena-Essex Raceway since he joined the club in 2009, but Swedish veteran Karlsson starts the new season as Hammers’ top man on an 8.12 average.

The former Team Great Britain international is close behind on 8.06, while Watt joins as third heat leader on 7.71.

All three men are capable of being Hammers’ No.1 and the internal competition could help fire Lakeside to their first ever Elite League title.

Richardson is pleased to have some healthy competition, but he is keen to regain his status as top dog at the Essex club.

He told the Hammers official website: “When I met up with Jon Cook (Hammers co-promoter) in November, he told me the club’s main aim in team building was to sign a recognised heat leader and he mentioned both PK (Peter Karlsson) and Davey (Watt) as possible targets.

“To now have them both in the line-up is a real bonus and gives us an excellent chance of going into the latter stages of the season with a real opportunity of success in two-legged play-off meetings, where we have fallen short in the past.

“I know both Peter and Davey well and I am sure we will have a friendly rivalry all season long for the No.1 spot. I am determined it will be mine again when the first greensheets come out.

“That can only be good for all three of us and I am sure, away from being top dogs, we can also lend our experience to Kim (Nilsson), Robert (Mear), Justin (Sedgmen) and Richie (Worrall) when needed. It’s really a season I am looking forward to immensely.”

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