Hampel returns to FIM Speedway Grand Prix this Weekend

Polish star Jaroslaw Hampel admits he has had enough of watching racing on television as he prepares for his FIM Speedway Grand Prix return at Swedish track Malilla on Saturday night.

The Lodz-born racer has confirmed he will take his place in the FIM Scandinavian SGP after recovering from the broken ankle he suffered in Copenhagen on June 9.

First reserve Martin Vaculik has covered for Hampel in the last four rounds and will keep his place in the line-up, as Kenneth Bjerre misses the rest of the season with a broken leg.

While the Slovak sensation has shone in Hampel’s place, winning in Gorzow and reaching the final in Terenzano, the world No.3 has been desperate to get back on a bike and fight for World Championship points.

He lines up for Danish Super League team Outrup in their trip to Esbjerg on Wednesday night.

This will be Hampel’s first meeting back and the Leszno and Vetlanda man is delighted to end two and a half frustrating months of watching the sport he loves on television.

He said: “During the Grand Prix from Cardiff, I was nearly ready to sit on a bike before the practice, so I couldn’t watch!

“I wanted to be there and it was a really tough time, sitting at home and watching speedway on the telly.

“But now I’m back again and I can do what I love. I feel good and hopefully I can get back on a good racing level.”

Hampel practiced on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday last week and was pleased with how things went.

“It was good,” he said. “I did a lot of laps on the track, but I didn’t actually feel any pain in my foot. I was wondering what would happen with it after the first practice, but I felt good the next day. That was after I spent an hour and a half on the track last Wednesday.

“I’m going to Denmark on Wednesday and have a meeting before Malilla. I want to run one official meeting before I go there.

“I don’t know what I can expect because all of the guys are in good shape and I’ve lost two and a half months. What can I do? I just need to have a lot of practice and get back on a good level. I’ll work on that.”

FIM Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix, 08 September 2012, G&B Arena, Malilla, Sweden.