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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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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Since its inaugural streaming season in 2022, BSN has always been a great admirer of the SRBF and its incredible service to riders in need.

In 2024 BSN will step up that support for the Ben Fund, a partnership to raise awareness for the sterling work of this wonderful – and vital – charity on its streaming service.

Chairman of the SRBF Paul Ackroyd said: “The SRBF is delighted and grateful to receive the backing and support of BSN.

“The more people becoming aware of our charity, will enable us to continue and expand the work we do in assisting current and retired riders both long and short term.

“Over the years since 1948, when it was formed, the SRBF has evolved greatly, and thanks to the generous support from loyal speedway fans we have been able to undertake major projects to make life a little easier for those riders who have suffered life changing injuries.”

BSN co-director Ben Duffill added: “We are proud to step up our support of the SRBF in 2024. When Martin Hunter and I created BSN, the driving motivation was to support British Speedway and there is no bigger supporter of British Speedway’s participants than the Ben Fund.

“BSN now has a good reach across both British and World Speedway, so we would like to use that to help raise awareness of the SRBF and the valuable work that the charity and its volunteers do on a daily basis.”

Words BSN Press Release – Feature Image by Taylor Lanning

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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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