The 15-year-old had caught the attention of promoters across the country for his skill on the bike, but Cairns had already made the National Speedway Stadium his choice of home track for 2024.

He made his NDL debut as a guest for Scunthorpe at oxford on Sunday, July 14, where he top scored for the Stags with a staggering 19 points from a whopping seven rides.

Colts co-boss Steve Williams said: “William has been on our radar for some time and we knew that with his skill, and his turning 15, it would only be a matter of time before he was snapped up.

“It was an opportunity we didn’t want to miss and we’re thrilled to have him on board with us at Belle Vue. He’s an amazing talent and we’re very much looking forward to seeing him in action.

“Wherever he has been, he has turned heads and he’s done amazingly well in some very significant meetings all across the world so this is a big coup for us.

“We’re grateful to Jack Shimelt for his efforts this season and we cannot stress enough how much value he still has at this club, and we will continue to work with him as our No.8 moving forward.”

Cairns said: “I’m super excited to be linking up with Belle Vue for the rest of 2024. I love the National Speedway Stadium and this club was up there as my top choice to race for.

“I made my NDL debut with Scunthorpe a couple of days ago and it was a really demanding night, but I really enjoyed myself and I can’t wait to have my first meeting for Belle Vue.

“I feel like I can bring a lot to the team. I’m good friends with quite a few of the boys already and the team spirit is really good so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve had quite a few meetings in a few different countries and Greg Hancock has been a huge influence in my career, and he’s steered me in the right direction with fitness and set-ups etc.

“I want to focus on my personal development and take as many opportunities as I can in the time that’s left this season, but I also want to do my bit for the team and bring success to Belle Vue.”

The post Belle Vue Colts swoop for William Ciarns! appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

However, it wasn’t the start the Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts had hoped for as they suffered a 38-49 defeat to Leicester Lion Cubs in an battle of attrition at the National Speedway Stadium.

It was a challenging afternoon after several days of heavy rain took its toll on the National Speedway Stadium was compounded by a last -minute deluge prior to tapes up.

But with credit to the riders on both sides and track staff as each team remained determined to see the meeting through and soldiered on despite a difficult start to the afternoon.

A series of stoppages in the opening heats were the result of several racers falling foul of the early track conditions, and with some remedial track work taken place the meeting continued in gritty determination from both teams.

The circuit soon settled down and produced some exciting action, with both Leicester and Belle Vue locked in battle with neither side giving an inch.

It wasn’t until the business end of the afternoon that the visiting Cubs took control and established a lead that, try as they might, was out of reach of recovery for the Cool Running Colts.

Visiting No.1 Ben Trigger, guesting for the Sam Hagon who was on Championship duty, topped the scores for Belle Vue, with debutant Chad Wirtzfeld scoring 8+2 and Matt Marson adding 6.

Wirtzfeld said: “I’m pretty happy with how things went personally. It was a difficult start and I was gutted not to win Heat 1, especially as I was leading to begin with.

“It was a learning curve because I’m not as familiar with the track as some of the other boys but things came together quite well for me because I don’t have a point of reference for this place.

“Because it was so deep, it was much more similar to the conditions I’m used to in Grass Track, which I think is what was throwing the others off, especially early on.

“But I don’t think the result reflected the effort that was put in. Everyone was doing their best and nobody was throwing in the towel. It was just one of those afternoon’s unfortunately.

“There were a few stoppages and a few crashes. Thankfully nobody got badly hurt but if we hadn’t lost as many points due to crashes it might’ve been closer, or we could’ve won.

“There’s no point thinking what could’ve been. We’ve got to learn from this one, take it on the chin and come back stronger for the next one.”

The ATPI Aces tackle the first round of their Premiership KOC Quarter final with Sheffield on Easter Monday, April 1 at the National Speedway Stadium, tapes up at 12pm.

Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are now available to pre-book, along with race day hospitality on Easter Monday, at bellevue-speedway.com.

RESULT – BELLE VUE V LEICESTER – FRIDAY, MARCH 29 @ 1PM

Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts 38: Ben Trigger 11, Chad Wirtzfeld 8+2, Matt Marson 6, Freddy Hodder 5, Luke Muff 4, Jack Shimelt 3, Harry McGurk 1+1

Leicester Lion Cubs 49: Joe Thompson 12, Luke Crang 9+1, Jody Scott 8+1, Tom Spencer 8, Vinnie Foord 5+1, Arran Butcher 5+1, Sonny Springer 2+1

Referee Scorecard

Words by Hayley Bromley – Images courtesy of Ian Charles

The post Belle Vue Colts suffer NDL home defeat by Leicester Lion Cubs – Race Report and Scores appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

It’s the first time since the club’s annual press day that the team has taken to the track together and are hoping to kick off their league campaign with a strong performance at home.

The new regulations governing the National Development League this season have seen the traditional Play Offs scrapped, with the team finishing top of the table declared champions.

And with an almost identical side to last year, club bosses fancy their chances and are backing the Cool Running Colts in their opening match of 2024.

Two changes, one on each side of the pits, sees both Sam Hagon for the home team and Max James for the away team missing in action due to clashes in the Championship league.

So, Belle Vue have called up Ben Trigger to deputise at No.1 for Hagon, while Leicester have snapped up the services of Jody Scott to stand in at No.5.

Team co-boss Graham Goodwin said: “We couldn’t ask for a tougher opening fixture than the Lion Cubs. They have been arguably our toughest NDL opponents in recent years.

“With no play offs this season, every fixture becomes even more vital than the last and every point is as crucial as the next. It very much is all-or-nothing if we want to make an impression.

“We always say there’s no pressure on the guys, and that’s a true this year as it always has been. We know they’re capable of doing what needs to be done, it’s not something we have to tell them.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but at the same time it will be a very exciting afternoon of racing and we hope to see a big crowd to cheer on the lads.”

The Speedway season in Manchester continues on Good Friday, March 29 when the Cool Running Colts face Leicester in their first NDL league action of the season.

The ATPI Aces, meanwhile, hope to get their league campaign underway when they visit Ipswich on Thursday, March 21 before heading home to Manchester on Easter Monday, April 1.

Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are now available for both home meetings, along with race day hospitality on Easter Monday, at bellevue-speedway.com.

BELLE VUE V LEICESTER – FRIDAY, MARCH 29 @ 1PM [NDL]

Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts: Ben Trigger (G) 8.24, Chad Wirtzfeld 3.81, Matt Marson 5.86, Luke Muff 4.83, Freddy Hodder (C) 6.44, Jack Shimelt 3.00, Harry McGurk 3.00; TM: Steve Williams & Graham Goodwin

Leicester Lion Cubs: Joe Thompson (C) 9.08, Vinnie Foord 3.81, Tom Spencer 5.78, Arran Butcher 4.69, Jody Scott (G) 5.70, Luke Crang 3.61, Sonny Springer 3.00; TM: Dave Howard

Words by Hayley Bromley – Image by Ian Charles

The post Belle Vue Colts V Leicester Lion Cubs – The Preview appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The Aussie-born racer is set to spend his second consecutive season in Manchester but at present is at home in Australia taking in the racing scene in his homeland.

Having only started his British career in the last five years, Marson admits that his time with Mildenhall afforded him an excellent learning curve and introduction to the sport in the UK.

Since joining Belle Vue last season, the gradient certainly became much steeper but the 23-year-old says he definitely saw improvement in his racing after a full year at the NSS.

He said: “Those first few years for me were very much getting used to all the new tracks and adjusting my style to suit them, which is something I really had to work on Belle Vue.

“With the pandemic, I ended up not racing for a very long time and I felt like a lot of the progress I’d made before then had been lost, so it’s like I had to start afresh.

“I couldn’t fault the management team at Belle Vue. Mark [Lemon], Steve [Williams] and Graham [Goodwin] were so understanding of the situation and they put their faith in me last year.

“I definitely saw a lot of improvement over the course of the season, and I’m feeling very positive about the New Year because I know what to expect and what I have to do.

“I want to continue to improve, I want to be chasing the heat leader positions and to continue to build on my skill at home; I feel like I’m most efficient at away meetings at the moment.

“I’m hoping that, with improvement will come a chance to maybe step up to the Championship. I’ve a few guest bookings in the past but never anything permanent.

“But I’m not purposefully vying for a spot. If it happens, it happens and I’ll take the opportunity but even so, I am determined to put everything I have into Belle vue in 2024.”

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.

The post Matt Marson “I am determined to put everything I have into Belle vue in 2024.” appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The Rugby racer has spent his entire 500cc career in Manchester and last season saw his progression take a huge step forward after he graduated from reserve to No.4 in the team.

Now, Hodder is ready to prove he is ready to take the next step and has his eye on further opportunities not only in his league racing but in his individual pursuits too.

• Chad Wirtzfield ready to kickstart his Speedway comeback with the Belle Vue Colts!

He said: “It was a real eye-opener for me to be involved in the likes of the British U-19 and the National Development League Riders Championship last year.

“It’s a whole different level, it’s some of the best guys in the league you’re going up against all in one place so that was a huge learning curve for me to see how I measure up.

“I might not have made the podium but I gained a lot of valuable experience and I feel like next year I’ll have a much better idea of what to expect.”

Hodder has been a staple of the Cool Running Colts since his breakout season with Belle Vue and has established himself as a firm favourite amongst the local supporters.

And he has also admitted he’d be open to any opportunities to dip his toe into the Championship scene, should the chance come knocking.

He continued: “Belle Vue have been so supportive of me and my ambitions since day one and I’m so happy to be back for another season at the National Speedway Stadium.

“I feel at home at this club. I’ve made a lot of friends and I’ve made a lot of progress, and I feel like with the team that’s being put together for 2024 we have a great shot at the trophy.

“I’d also like to have any chance to race in the Championship, not maybe on a permanent level but a guest booking here or there just to see how I stack up and where I need to improve.

“But I’m not going to put any pressure on myself. I’m enjoying what I’m doing and I think that’s half the battle, along with a good team dynamic and good team mates.”

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.

The post Belle Vue Colts Freddy Hodder Ready And Raring To Go! appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

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

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