Berwick Jewson Bandits supporters finally get a chance to see their new-look septet on track this weekend.
New team manager Stewart Dickson was overseen a comprehensive overhaul of the side after a wretched 2023 in which they managed just three league wins all season.
In comes Drew Kemp from Scunthorpe, Danyon Hume from Redcar, Lewis Kerr from Oxford, along with Championship debutant Freddy Hodder.
They will be joined by newly-appointed captain Rory Schlein and fellow Australian Jye Etheridge, the only survivors from last year’s campaign.
Bikes will be on-track from 6.30pm on Saturday with anyone turning up to watch the session – and a Meet the Riders Event in the Black and Gold Social Club – with entry by voluntary donation.
That money will be ring-fenced by the Berwick management to help cover the costs of their purpose-built training track at nearby Duns.
The circuit, at Langton Lees Farm on the outskirts of the Borders town, opened in October 2017 and has staged regular teaching and training sessions since.
In 2024 it will run on selected Sundays with the first of five special sessions – to be led by northern speedway legend Kevin Little – scheduled for April 7.
May 26, June 30, July 14, August 4 and September 8 are also diaried-in with more details to be shared nearer the event although there are likely to be more ad-hoc sessions during the summer.
“Duns is a great facility and building it was the culmination of a long-term dream for people such as myself and Gary Flint,” Berwick speedway co-owner Scott Courtney said.
“Riders at the sessions pay their way but we have always tried to keep the costs as low as possible so as not to price anyone out.
“But there is on-going maintenance or the track and fence, shale to buy and equipment to maintain so any donations will be most welcome.
“It is a chance to meet the current Bandits and help towards the development of future stars.”
The Bandits’ season launches with the visit of Workington to Shielfield Park in the Border Trophy on Saturday 30 March (7pm), the second leg taking place in Cumbria the following afternoon.
Words by Berwick Speedway – George Dodds – Feature Image by Keith Hamblin
