BIRMINGHAM have added experienced Brit James Wright to their ranks for 2023.
The former Premier League Riders’ Champion is back for a second spell at Perry Barr having previously ridden for the club briefly in 2011.
He scored 40 points from six meetings on that occasion – but it was during two of the Curtis Sport Brummies’ final fixtures of 2022 that he impressed the club’s current bosses.
Wright pulled on the Birmingham racebib for their Challenge fixtures against Coventry and Cradley at Perry Barr and scored 12 and 7+2 respectively.
The 36-year-old claimed some eye catching scalps along the way – and team manager Laurence Rogers admits those performances alone launched him into their permutations for next term.
“James’ two appearances in our Challenge meetings were very impressive,” Rogers said.
“He had some really good outings beating the likes of Bomber (Chris Harris), Hans Andersen, Tom Brennan a couple of times and he showed he’s still got a liking for Perry Barr.
“I feel he’s worth more than the 5.51 average he’s coming in on at this level and we feel he can do a solid job in the engine room of the side if you like because he does have a lot of ability.
“He had a bit of a disruptive 2022 season with Newcastle closing down and losing his team place there but coming back to a club he’s ridden for before will do James the world of good I think.
“James possesses a lot of experience which will help the lower end of the team and that could prove to be an important added factor as well.”
Wright joins Nick Morris, Justin Sedgmen, Stefan Nielsen and James Pearson in next year’s side – with another signing due to be confirmed by the weekend.
