The Somerset Rebels plans for the new season took a blow when German internationsl Max Dilger pulled out.

THE Cases Somerset Rebels plans for the 2015 speedway season, the start of which is now less than a week away, took a blow when German international Max Dilger requested to be released from the team due to personal reasons.

Team manager Garry May said: “Unfortunately Max feels that he cannot commit to the UK at this moment in time due to personal reason back in Germany. The news is a blow not just for ourselves, but for Max as well, as he was really looking forward to racing for Somerset.”

“Obviously with the start of the new season just around the corner, this does leave us with a rider vacancy to fill at quite short notice, and we have signed Benji Compton, a past winner of the National League Riders’ Championship, as Max’s replacement.”

“Benji is another rider who has spent a small fortune on new equipment for 2015, but, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, finds himself without a team place for the new season, this after having spent the past two campaigns with the Kent Kings in the National League and will join the Rebels on a 3.18 starting average.”