Images courtesy of Brett Thurlow Photography

The former Glasgow man, now lining up at No.1 for Edinburgh, scored 11 points in the qualifiers before producing a superb semi-final ride, sweeping from third to first ahead of Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Danny King. He carried that momentum into the Final, hitting the front around the outside on turn four and controlling the race to take the win, with Juhl Pedersen second and Peter Kildemand completing the podium.

Behind the headline result, there was plenty to take from the rest of the field. Justin Sedgmen, Kildemand and Leon Flint all topped the scoring charts with 12 points in the qualifiers, underlining their consistency, while Juhl Pedersen and King both showed strong early-season form in reaching the Final stages. Kyle Howarth and Ben Barker were solid throughout on eight points apiece, while Chris Harris, Kye Thomson and Tom Brennan all showed glimpses despite missing out on the latter stages.

Further down the order, Jason Edwards and Victor Palovaara had steady nights, while youngsters Sam Hagon and Tate Zischke gained valuable track time against experienced opposition. Reid Battye and Ace Pijper were unable to trouble the scorers, but the meeting offered a useful early benchmark across the Championship field.

Thompson said: “It’s the perfect start for me. I’m now at No.1 at Edinburgh so it was important to show I can beat other No.1s. It’s nice to begin the season with a strong performance and win.”

Results

SCORES: Justin Sedgmen 12, Peter Kildemand 12, Leon Flint 12, Dan Thompson 11, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 10, Danny King 9, Kyle Howarth 8, Ben Barker 8, Chris Harris 7, Kye Thomson 7, Tom Brennan 6, Jason Edwards 6, Victor Palovaara 5, Sam Hagon 4, Tate Zischke 2, Reid Battye 0, Ace Pijper (res) 0.

SEMI-FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, King, Flint.

FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, Kildemand, Sedgmen.

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Leon Flint, Sam Hagon and Ben Barker have been confirmed as the final additions to the line-up, while Edinburgh’s Kye Thomson steps in to replace Charles Wright, who is sidelined following injury sustained at Redcar’s season opener.

Barker continues his remarkable record of appearances in the event, maintaining a perfect run of entries since its inception. The Plymouth rider remains a long-time supporter of the meeting, having benefitted from the Ben Fund during his career, and brings both experience and commitment to the field. He also returns to a venue he is familiar with, having previously represented Glasgow.

Flint arrives at Ashfield in strong form after an active winter campaign that has seen him racing abroad, leaving him well prepared heading into the new season. Now established as a key figure in Glasgow’s Championship line-up and stepping up in the Premiership, the Northumberland rider continues to build on his steady progression in the sport. Having previously received support from the Ben Fund, his involvement in the event adds further significance.

Hagon, who will also represent Glasgow this season, heads into the meeting with an excellent recent record at Ashfield, including back-to-back victories in the British Under-21 Final at the venue. After overcoming injury setbacks in recent seasons, he returns to action keen to use the meeting as both preparation for the campaign ahead and an opportunity to support a cause that has assisted him during his career.

Thomson completes the line-up as a late replacement and will make his first appearance in the Bonanza. The Edinburgh rider has shown strong form at Ashfield in the past and will be looking to build momentum early in the season with a solid performance.

The Ben Fund Bonanza remains a key fixture in the British speedway calendar, raising vital funds to support riders who suffer injury, and once again features a competitive and well-balanced field.

The full line-up includes Chris Harris, Peter Kildemand, Tom Brennan, Kyle Howarth, Justin Sedgmen, Nick Morris, Tate Zischke, Danny King, Dan Thompson, Adam Ellis, Victor Palovaara, Dan Gilkes, Ben Barker, Sam Hagon, Leon Flint and Kye Thomson, with Ace Pijper named as reserve.

Tickets are available online via Glasgow Speedway, with admission also available on the gate.

Feature Image courtesy of Brett Thurlow Photography

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Glasgow promoter Alan Dick explained how the West of Scotland club came to step up again for the Ben Fund. “We’re delighted to be having it. We had said to Paul at the end of last season that if he was looking for a track, we’d be willing to stage it at the start of the season. He said that there were one or two clubs who had expressed something similar, and it would be up to the Trustees to make the final decision.

“So when he phoned to say that the Trustees would like it to come to Glasgow this year for a second time, we were really up for it. It will almost certainly be our first meeting of the season.

“Our normal Saturday night start time would be 7pm but I think Paul wants to start a bit earlier, at 6pm. It lets people travelling from say the north of England and elsewhere get home a wee bit earlier. Should be over by 9pm.”

Glasgow fans nowadays are well used to having big events at their track. “We’ve got an FIM qualifier again in May. I think the pits area and the stadium lends itself to a good atmosphere for this type of meeting.”

The first staging of the Bonanza was in 2009 at Sheffield, and next year’s will be the 16th staging with 2018 and 2021 being the missing years when plans were thwarted. Glasgow are the fourth club to take on the Bonanza for the second time, the others being Leicester, King’s Lynn and Scunthorpe.

For sure every club will have had riders who had cause to be grateful for the generosity of the Ben Fund. Amongst Glasgow riders of the past for example Ulrich Ostergaard and Lewis Kerr come to mind, and from the current squad Kyle Howarth. Alan Dick is in no doubt of the importance of the Fund.

“It’s absolutely crucial. The fans at Glasgow are very generous as are other tracks in their annual collection, and they know the money goes to riders who are injured. Every penny raised will go to the fund, Glasgow are not taking this meeting to make a penny out of it. Everything that we raise on the day other than some expenses such as ambulance, tyres etc. will go to the Ben Fund.

“I’m not sure that any other country has an equivalent to the Ben Fund. Perhaps it should be a lead to these other countries. Certainly the riders are very appreciative of it.”

Few stadia have seen as many recent changes as Ashfield. “I don’t think there’s anything new at the stadium since last season, it will be much as it has been for last season. But we’ve certainly got the new Grandstand on the third bend which holds an extra 400 people, that’s only been up a year and a bit now, so some fans might not have seen that. Our seating capacity is now 800 between the two areas, so fans can get a seat.

“Certainly the Facennas have done a magnificent job from the days when Stewart Dickson and I had it. Back then we had to rent it from the football club and we were not at liberty to make any changes. Now the Facennas own the stadium, and the changes are down to them. We’ve gone from a basic old football stadium to a fairly modern stadium, although our old stand is still the same. Our capacity is now just under 3,000.”

“We’re looking forward to having the Bonanza again, everybody at Glasgow is.”

Words by Mike Hunter – Speedway Ben Fund – Image Courtesy of Speedway Ben Fund

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A top class line-up is expected for the season opener of the fourth year of racing at Cowley since speedway returned to the famous venue in 2022.

Charles Wright is a big supporter of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund and this will be his fourth Bonanza, with double figure scores on each of his three appearances. He auctioned his Grand Prix race suit from Cardiff 2019 for the benefit of the SRBF.

Wright said: “The Bonanza is usually the first meeting of the season and it’s a good test for a good cause. The Ben Fund have helped me in the past and it’s good to give something back.

“I had no injuries last season but I had problems at the end of the previous season with back and rib injuries and a punctured lung. I worked really hard to get ready for 2024 and it proved to be a great season for me.

“After my time at Belle Vue I moved to Oxford in the Premiership last season and I’m happy to be back there – great fans, great promotion. I went from the big track at the NSS to a smaller one at Oxford and had a great season.”

Jason Doyle feels he is back to full fitness after substantial injuries that ruled him out of all racing last season from the end of May.

It will be the Australian’s first appearance in the Bonanza, although he had been in the field for the meeting in 2018 when he was reigning World Champion, only for it to be postponed.

Doyle said: “I owe the Ben Fund for what they did for me last season when I was injured. Previously it’s been difficult due to the early season Polish fixtures, but no matter what there is this season I will be riding. Everyone has to understand what a great thing the Ben Fund is for the riders.

“I didn’t expect as much support as they gave me, it would have been a tough time. I had to return money in Poland due to crashing elsewhere, I had no income and there were costs to the treatment, so the support was absolutely vital.”

He has nothing but praise for the Ben Fund organisers. “Paul (Ackroyd) and Steph (Baab), they put in a great deal of effort. Riders will find that when they do need help they will get it, and I certainly appreciated it.”

There will be sponsorships available for the Bonanza for riders, tyres, fuel and mascot opportunities plus adverts in the programme. Interested parties should contact Stephanie Babb on benfundbonanza@yahoo.com

Words by Oxford Speedway – Images by Steve Edmunds and Les Aubrey

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The popular event which raises vital funds for injured riders via the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, will take place at Cowley on Sunday March 23 with a 6pm start.

SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd said: “We are very pleased to be coming to Oxford and to be in such a good position with the organisation of the event.

“I would like to particularly thank Phil Morris for his assistance in co-ordinating everything, and Jamie Courtney for offering to stage the meeting at Oxford, which has been such a great success in recent times.”

Further announcements on the meeting and sponsorship packages will follow.

Words and Images by British Speedway

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Kvech has made a positive impression in UK speedway since joining the Stars, and organisers of the big fund-raiser are delighted to have secured his participation.

SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd said: “I went to Birmingham last week to check whether Freddie Lindgren was still available for the re-staging, but unfortunately he can’t do it.

“However, Jan Kvech quickly offered to take up the position! I’ve seen his early meetings in the UK at King’s Lynn and Birmingham and also last weekend’s Grand Prix where he did well.

“I’ve been impressed each time. He’s a lovely lad to talk to also.”

Meanwhile two further top-class performers have joined the field, namely Charles Wright and Adam Ellis, both former British Champions who have agreed to come in at short notice.

Ackroyd commented: “We are very happy with the field we have, including two flamboyant members of Team USA as well. I’m sure there will be plenty of eyes on them.”

A sad reminder of the importance of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund arrived on Monday night with the injuries sustained by Tate Zischke at Belle Vue.

The young Aussie has taken the UK by storm this year and had also agreed to ride in the Bonanza prior to his accident. Everyone associated with the SRBF sends him every good wish for a speedy recovery.

BEN FUND BONANZA LINE-UP:

The full field is:

1. Justin Sedgmen (Edinburgh/Birmingham)

2. Dan Bewley (Belle Vue)

3. Craig Cook (Workington/Leicester)

4. Kyle Howarth (Scunthorpe/Sheffield)

5. Antti Vuolas (Workington)

6. Norick Blodorn (Belle Vue)

7. Charles Wright (Redcar/Oxford)

8. Paul Starke (Glasgow)

9. Gino Manzares (USA)

10. Simon Lambert (Scunthorpe)

11. Alex Martin (USA)

12. Adam Ellis (Ipswich)

13. Ben Barker (Plymouth)

14. Danny King (Redcar / Ipswich)

15. Lewis Kerr (Berwick)

16. Jan Kvech (King’s Lynn)

A reminder also that Dan Bewley’s 2023 GB Race Suit will be auctioned on the day after being re-donated by the previous winner.

There are sponsorships for several of the riders still available. Opportunities can be discussed with SRBF Secretary Stephanie Babb on 07901 976912 or email benfundbonanza@yahoo.com

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SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd and his team feel this date, the day after the Final of the Speedway of Nations, will be ideal for several reasons.

Ackroyd commented “First of all we know that a very good percentage of the original field will be available, I wanted to have as many as possible of the same riders for what we feel is a very good field.

“Also of course there will be many supporters who are in the north of England for the Belle Vue meeting, and maybe some who come from overseas. Hopefully we are giving enough notice for fans to build in a Sunday afternoon event at Workington as well.”

More details of the fourteenth Benevolent Fund Bonanza will be announced over the following few weeks.

Words and Feature Image by Workington Speedway

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The meeting, originally scheduled for today (Saturday), was called off earlier in the week after constant rain, and several rider commitments abroad mean next weekend is also a non-starter.

SRBF chairman Paul Ackroyd said: “I’d like to thank Workington for being so supportive.

“They had planned a really big day with additional entertainments for everyone’s enjoyment, and in due course we will get the kind of event we all want.”

Words by British Speedway – Image by Workington Speedway

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A restaging date has been announced for Sunday 24th March at 2pm.

The full statement on the SRBF Social Media said:

Bad news for everyone planning to head for Workington for the Ben Fund Bonanza on Saturday is that the meeting has had to be called off in advance due to the weather. At least there is an early restaging on Sunday 24th March at 2pm.

SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd explained “We’ve had to take the decision because the track is currently waterlogged with more rain forecast all day tomorrow. Saturday’s forecast is better but the damage will have been done by then.

“The car parks are also flooded and also access roads to the stadium. We have made an early decision because we were expecting so many fans to travel to the meeting. It’s disappointing but we go again eight days later.”

Image by SRBF

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The event takes place at Workington this Saturday (March 16) at 2pm, with stream coverage starting at 1.30pm, with cost set at £14.99.

SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd said: “BSN did a great job for us last year and it was a great way for people who can’t be at the event to still make a contribution to the fund for injured riders, as well as enjoying the meeting of course.

“We are very happy with the arrangement and very grateful.”

In addition to the main 16-rider individual event, the afternoon will also feature women’s heats and British Youth races.

SRBF Secretary Stephanie Babb said: “We are privileged to have the opportunity of welcoming Pippa Laverty from the FIM to Workington along with four of the UK’s women speedway riders who will be racing three heats during the meeting.

“We will again be supporting Neil Vatcher’s British Youth, with four of the 125cc riders taking part in two demonstration races.”

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

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