Morton gets in some serious training for Lee showdown

Morton, a Belle Vue legend from the 70s and 80s, finished his career with a brief spell at Sheffield in 1993 and after much thought he agreed to roll back the years against Lee at Garry Stead's Benefit Grand Prix.

He had a skid after Sheffield's impressive win over King's Lynn last Thursday and insists he's ready to do battle with Lee, the wonderboy of world speedway when he won the world crown.

"I felt good and I know there will be a bit of pressure on me and Michael to put on a good show but I'm sure we can handle it," said Morton, who is now manager of his beloved Aces in Manchester.

I'm not going into it half-hearted, I don't do anything like that, I'm going into it all with a determination to win - and hopefully beat Michael!"

Morton won the world pairs title in 1984 with Peter Collins on a memorable night in Lonigo, Italy, and that partnership was one of the most spectacular for both club and country over many years.

Lee, meanwhile, was a precious talent at such a young age who has admitted he made mistakes in his life and his career ended in controversy. He's also had more than one brush with the law down the years but is now a well respected adviser and engine tuner.

A bumper crowd is expected for Stead's big night. The man himself will be released from Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield where he is coming to terms with life in a wheelchair after suffering paralysis from the waist down in a crash at Somerset in May. Doctors fought to save his life both at the track and through the night in hospital.