Fast and furious racing is set to return to Derwent Park this weekend as Workington Comets get their season under way.

The seven current Comets riders, plus Josh Grajczonek, Kyle Howarth, Ricky Wells, Scott Nicholls, Ulrich Ostergaard, Jordan Stewart, Ben Barker, Simon Lambert and Rory Schlein, will compete in the Cumberland Open Championship individual contest tomorrow night (Saturday, 7pm start).

The popular competition, won last season by Craig Cook, will serve as a warm-up for next Friday's trip to Glasgow Tigers in the League Cup and return leg at Derwent Park the following day.

Club owner Laura Morgan said: "We're looking forward to getting started now.

"I think it's going to be a belting meeting.

"We've been chatting among ourselves and asking each other to name the winner and it's very difficult with an open field.

"It's anybody's meeting.

"I think it's an excellent way to start the season because we've got our own riders in there and it shows them in their own light.

"Everybody's waiting for their speedway to start so hopefully we'll get a few supporters from other clubs following riders up here."

Morgan admitted she was glad to see the back of the off-season mania and last weekend's press and practice session only increased her excitement to see these riders take to the track in a meeting.

"To see them out on track looking calm and fast was great," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to the season starting and I know we say this every year but I seriously do think we're going to take some beating with that team.

"We've historically been weak at the bottom end of the team for some reason but this year we're going into the season strong in that area which bodes well for a good year."