Speedway preview: Buxton Hitmen v Mildenhall

The visitors have begun the season well, amassing 12 league points from five outings and they bring with them two riders that are no strangers to the Peaks.

Stefan Farnaby, fresh from his move from Coventry, has already tasted Buxton shale this season in the only meeting to beat the weather where he proved he still knows the way around.

He is joined by former junior Hitman Tom Bacon, who has had a great start to the season moving up from reserve into the team proper following the first set of averages.

It’s been a while since Buxton rode at home and manager Jason Pipe is aware how that could affect his charges.

“It feels like we haven’t ridden at home for a full season,” he said.

“It’s not good because the riders still need to get dialled in to their home track as soon as possible.

“The weather and off-track issues have set us back a little and other clubs are gaining an advantage on us.”

Buxton’s new declaration sees the return of ex-Hitman skipper Liam Carr who has returned to the track faster than he could ever have hoped replacing the unlucky Ben Hopwood who had just started to show some form when he suffered a broken scaphoid in the victory over Stoke.

David Holt has his first meeting as a fully-fledged Hitman after so ably deputising for Cameron Hoskins over the last few weeks.

The meeting also sees the return of Paul Bowen from his collarbone injury.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how Liam rides,” added Pipe.

“He has shown his liking for the Buxton circuit in the past and I hope he can come back for his long injury lay-off and start from where he left off.

“He has already said he’s going to get some big scores in the NL, so let’s hope from Sunday he turns that talk in to points on the track.”

The meeting starts at 3pm.