MARTIN Smolinski is desperate to win the last-ever Telford ice crown on Sunday, February 26.

The German showman, who has recently completed a deal to join Elite League Birmingham, won the British Open back in 2008.

He scored 14 points to take the title, the same score as last year when he finished runner-up to maximum man Tony Atkin.

Now Smolinski is desperate to leave a lasting impression with fans at the Shropshire rink by adding a second title to his CV.

He said: “I’m desperate to win it, I really am. It’s made even more important by the fact that this is the last staging of the event and it would mean everything to me to be the last winner.

“Last year I dropped just the one point and feel I was unlucky not to win it so when Graham Drury called me and invited me back for this year I was very happy to say yes.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Of course it’s a shame it will be the last one but I’m sure it will be a good day and there will be a lot of good action for the supporters.

“I mean business. I’m not making the trip from Germany just to enjoy myself, I’m going to Telford to win, it’s as simple as that.

“I still feel a little unlucky about last year, but fair play to Tony Atkin for winning it, he was awesome. Hopefully this year I will be awesome!”

Redevelopment work at the Shropshire rink will rule out the return of the bikes in future and to help commemorate this historic finale all the riders race jackets are going to be sold.

The cost is just £30 and they will be signed by the respective rider and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anyone interested can send a cheque for £30, made payable to ‘Telford Ice’ to: 27 Upper Chirk Bank, Chirk, Wrexham.LL14 5EB.

The jackets can be collected on the day or posted after the event.

Ticket sales have been good and remain on general sale.

The event features both afternoon and evening sessions with England Select v Rest of the World at 3pm followed by the British Open at 7.30pm.

Ticket details are as follows: Standing: Adults £15.50, children £5.50. Reserved seating £17.50 adults, £10.50 children. Credit card hotline 0845 155 9966 ext 0.

Postal applications with cheques payable to Telford Ice can be made to the same address as the race jacket sales.