LAKESIDE Hammers owner Stuart Douglas believes his riders are 100 per cent ready for the 2008 season.

Douglas watched his riders complete their final preparations at Arena-Essex raceway on Tuesday ahead of tonight's challenge fixture at Poole.

"I can't wait for the season to start. The boys all had a spin around here last week behind closed doors and looked pacy and today they've looked very sharp," he said.

Douglas took the Hammers helm in late 2006 and admitted last year's campaign was a massive learning curve.

"I came into the sport with my eyes wide shut," he laughed. "I learned a lot from watching the previous owner Ronnie Russell but it was a revelation to actually be in charge.

"It's a hugely expensive sport as I found out last year but financially, things are going in the right direction."

Hammers increased their support by nearly 50 per cent in 2007 as the team finished the season in its highest-ever Elite League placing of sixth.

And Douglas is eyeing more success this time around.

"I think we have a fantastic team," he added.

"There is plenty of room for all riders to improve their averages and I expect to see us at the sharp end of the table.

"There hasn't been too much silverware for the fans here to celebrate over the years but I'm looking for that to change.

"It would be nice to start the with something to celebrate this year."

Central to any success will be Swede Andreas Jonsson, who is finally free of his continental commitments and ready to concentrate fully on helping the Hammers.

"I want to get a good result in the Grand Prix and get Lakeside a gold medal and I believe that both things are attainable," he stated.

"We have a good mix of riders who can ride well individually and as a team and I have high expectations of them.

"If we can be consistent and be lucky with avoiding injuries, then we should do well."

Jonsson will line up alongside newcomer Jonas Davidsson, Leigh Lanham, Jonas Kylmakorpi and captain Adam Shields at Poole tonight.