CONNOR Bailey is looking to make a big impression on Belle Vue’s season opener as he prepares to make his first appearance in the Peter Craven Memorial on Monday, March 18.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a stunning season last year, sweeping through the National League true to his nickname ‘The Tornado’ cleaning up accolades as he went.
He stormed to victory in the 2023 National League Riders Championship and dominated the competition to become the reigning British U-21 Champion.
At the end of the campaign, Bailey admitted he’d squeezed as much out of the NDL as he possibly could and waved goodbye to British Speedway’s third tier in favour of the next step in his career.
He takes centre stage as Belle Vue’s Rising Star once again, after adopting the position in place of Jake Mulford last year after he suffered a broken leg mid campaign.
And he again links up with the Redcar Bears in the Championship where he hopes to rise through the ranks and preserve his incredible track record at the Ecco Arena.
Belle Vue CEO Mark Lemon said: “When we brought Connor on board last year, there was no pressure on him but almost immediately he demonstrated a hunger to improve and progress.
“His achievements in 2023 were nothing short of brilliant and it’s quite the feather in Belle Vue’s cap to say that we have the reigning British U-21 Champion in our team.
“I think we’ve only just begun to see glimpses of Connor’s true potential and we’re eager to see how far he can progress this year.
“He’s in no way making up the numbers in the Peter Craven Memorial. He’s a talented lad who never settles for any less than perfection, and he could end up causing some upset for the other boys.”
Book your tickets for the 2024 Peter Craven Memorial online via our online portal at BELLEVUE-SPEEDWAY.COM/EVENTS, and Race Day Hospitality at BELLEVUE-SPEEDWAY.COM/HOSPITALITY.
Words: Hayley Bromley – Images by Ian Charles
