King's Lynn confirm Danish ace as first signing for 2023 as they end campaign on high against champions Belle Vue Aces

King’s Lynn Stars posted an entertaining home farewell to a tough 2022 with an impressive 55-35 win over Premiership champions Belle Vue tonight.

It was also announced that speedway fans' favourite Frederick Jakobsen, who has made a big impact in just a few weeks on his arrival at the club, will return for 2023.

A solid scoring effort – with every home rider contributing – saw Richard Lawson score a paid maximum, Jakobsen in double figures, Thomas Jorgensen continuing his strong finish to the season, while Rising Star reserve Jason Edwards bagged his first-ever Lynn paid double-figure points return.

The overall line-up was much changed. The Minors & Brady Stars had two riders ruled out due to illness. The hosts booked Chris Harris to guest for Nicolai Klindt, and operated rider replacement for Josh Pickering.

Jorgensen took the captain's armband in the absence of Pickering.

The Aces tracked ex-Belle Vue, Glasgow and Ipswich rider Jack Smith instead of Charles Wright; while Norfolk icon Robert Lambert, who's graced this Saddlebow track many times, was missing due to injury and the visitors operated rider replacement.

Simon Lambert, also familiar to Adrian Flux Arena fans, guested at reserve for Jye Etheridge.

Lynn began perfectly with a 5-1 maximum from Jorgensen and Lawson, who did well to hang on and beat opposite number Brady Kurtz.

In-form home rider Jakobsen won a shared 3-3 reserves race.

Stars rookie Edwards, helped by some great team riding by Richie Worrall to hold off Grand Prix veteran Matej Zagar, notch a memorable victory.

Jakobsen and Harris followed this with a 5-1 after an unsatisfactory start when Lambert was warned to make the scores 18-6.

Kurtz defeated Worrall in a cracking shared Heat 5, then the Lawson/Jorgensen combination again turned up maximum trumps.

Zagar triumphed over Harris in a 3-3 but Lynn again hit back with a 5-1 from inspired youngster Edwards' second win, protected by Jorgensen, to make it 34-14 at the halfway point.

Lynn remained in control and the visitors had to wait until Heat 12 for their first advantage, thanks to winner Zagar and third-spot Lambert.

The next race saw Harris retire with a puncture.

Away team boss Mark Lemon brought in Kurtz, who only just beat the referee's two-minute warning as a penultimate race tactical sub for Brennan who was an 'Audi' scoreless from four outings.

Things got worse for the Aces as Lambert – already on a warning – was excluded for jumping the tapes. He took a 15m oenalty and came last in a shared result.

Between Heats 14 and 15 it was announced Jakobsen would return at reserve on the same average for 2023.

Lawson, Jorgensen, Kurtz and Zagar lined up for the finale. Lawson made the start to win and ensure he went through the card unbeaten, with Zagar and Kurtz following.

King’s Lynn Stars: Richard Lawson 14+1, Thomas Jorgensen (capt) 8+2, Richie Worrall 6+3, Josh Pickering r/r, Chris Harris (guest) 6+1, Frederick Jakobsen 13+1, Jason Edwards 8+2.

Belle Vue Aces: Brady Kurtz (capt) 16+1, Jack Smith 0, Matej Zagar 12+1, Tom Brennan 0, Robert Lambert r/r, Norick Blodorn 2+1, Simon Lambert 5.

Referee: Barbara Horley.

Fastest time: Jakobsen, Heat 2, 59.66 seconds.