Rob Lyon insists an improved team mentality can help the King's Lynn Stars speed to success in 2013.

The Norfolk Arena outfit's team boss has already seen enough signs that his riders can come together as one unit in the Elite League this season.

And after an enjoyable group bonding session at Center Parcs on Friday in Thetford, Lyon is confident his line-up for the forthcoming campaign will work well together when speedway returns later this month.

The Stars chief, talking at the club's annual press and practice session last week, said: 'I have got the buzz back. We were pretty careful in working out the best team we could pick – team being the operative word really – and put together within the average we have to work with. And we've pretty much got everyone we wanted. So on that basis we're very happy.

'The team is packed full of potential and also proven ability already. We had a good team day yesterday and the boys were all familiar with each other anyway but the team spirit is very good at the minute and hopefully that can continue that. It's very important for us to have any chance of us having a successful season.

'We're just going to come and enjoy our speedway – that was missing last year and a lot a people agreed with that. We sat up town yesterday and we had a long chat about it. I think we all felt at times we didn't give 100pc. We included all of ourselves in that. There are some exceptions, Niels (Kristian Iversen) had a fantastic season all over. But generally as a team here it didn't work for us. We know the reasons why, so hopefully we've addressed those and we've put a team together we think can challenge for the title. I have got a very good feeling about this year.'

Lyon, who has managed Lynn since 2005, had debated his future in the sport last season after a series of incidents, including ex-rider Kenneth Bjerre breaking his leg in a meeting against the Stars at Peterborough, soured his enjoyment of the two–wheel sport.

Yet he decided to remain at the Saddlebow Road helm and has set about ensuring the forthcoming campaign – which starts with a derby double-header against Peterborough Panthers on March 29 – is full of smiles.

One man who is already grinning from ear to ear is Mads Korneliussen who yesterday was confirmed as the Stars captain, again, for the new season. And Lyon says that decision was solely down to the support of his team-mates after letting them decide who led Lynn this term.

'I've picked the captain in many ways in the past but I decided this year that I would put it to the team,' said the former Great Britain manager.

'As it's a team effort and a team thing we decided to make sure everybody was on board with what decision we made. We put it to them and it was an overwhelming majority that wanted him back as captain. It's something I sort of expected. He is a good motivator and he is a good leader. He had a bad year personally last year and I think it was sort of overshadowed by the fact he was captain. Maybe you can point the fingers and say that was the reason why but it wasn't. There were other reasons. He's started the pre-season well and he'll be fine. He's relishing the opportunity to once again prove that he can lead from the front.'

All seven of the club's riders for 2013, including back-up Lewis Kerr, were at a rain-swept Norfolk Arena on Friday where they were unable to get in any track practice.

Owner Buster Chapman also attended and thanked team title sponsor Roger Warnes Transport and team sponsor Poultec for their continued support ahead of the coming campaign.