A trio of former Workington Comets No.1s will be part of the curtain-raising Cumberland Open Championship.

Josh Grajczonek, Ricky Wells and Kyle Howarth will join the seven current Comets riders and six other racers which have yet to be confirmed in the popular 16-rider, 20-heat individual meeting, which was first held in Comets' inaugural season in 1970.

Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “We feel we have put together a very attractive field for this year’s Cumberland Open, which we believe will get our season under way in fine style and provide some very competitive track action with quality riders in every race.

“We are all very much looking forward to the new season and this meeting will provide a stern test for our own riders before Glasgow come to town the following week in our first home team fixture.”

Grajczonek, who rode for Comets in 2014 and led Sheffield to the league title last season, is not riding in the SGB Championship this season so the Open will be a rare opportunity to see him race at Derwent Park.

Wells needs no introduction having spent three seasons with Workington which saw him rise to No.1 before departing for Edinburgh last season.

And Howarth, who is still a Comets asset and won the league last season alongside Grajczonek, will also be keen to impress on his return to west Cumbria.

Meanwhile, Comets fans will get their first look at the 2018 team on track at the club's traditional press and practice event later this month.

Supporters will be able to grill the septet and management at a meet the riders event in the Waverley Hotel in the town at 7.30pm on Friday, March 23.

And the following day will see the team expected to take to the shale at Derwent Park at midday for a practice session.