CHAD Wirtzfeld is ready to have another crack at the shale after nearly three years away, and says his choice of racing for Belle Vue in 2024 was a “no-brainer” to kickstart his comeback.
The 20-year-old from Poole has quite the commute to the National Speedway Stadium but is far from phased at the prospect of a 10-hour round trip to race in Manchester.
A familiar face on the Grasstrack and Long Track scene, Wirtzfeld last appeared in British Speedway in 2021 with the Eastbourne Eagles before the club sadly folded mid-season.
Since then, he has taken advantage of a few laps on the Isle of Wight and is now serious about reigniting his shale career and is excited at the prospect of starring for the Colts.
He said: “I’ve only raced the National Speedway Stadium once, many years ago and it didn’t perhaps go as well as I was hoping it would, but at that time I was still getting used to racing.
“I feel I’ve got a lot more experience now than I had then. My Grasstrack racing is going very well and I’ve spent the last couple of years doing everything I can in the UK and Europe to get my name out.
“When Mark [Lemon] called me about coming to Belle Vue, I feel it was a sign that now was a good time to come back into Speedway because I did enjoy it.
“And there’s no way anyone would pass up an opportunity to race on probably the best track in the country, and for me it’s a chance to really work hard on my skills.
“With the support network at Belle Vue, I know I’m in one of the best places I could possibly be to further my career, and I will try to do the best I can.
“I know I’m capable of scoring good points and I’d love to have a go, maybe, in the Championship, get some guest bookings there if I’m good enough but we’ll see where we get.”
2024 Season Tickets applications are now available online at BELLEVUE-SPEEDWAY.COM/SEASON-TICKETS, with the club offering a Premiership package or combined Premiership/NDL package.
Words: Hayley Bromley – Images: Mike Hinves/Ian Charles
