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GLASGOW are to stage the 2017 Ben Fund Bonanza on Sunday March 12.The ninth staging of the now-traditional curtain raiser to the new season which raises funds for injured riders heads to the Ashfield venue with a 2pm start-time.Tigers co-promoter Alan Dick said: “I’m very pleased and it’s an amazing start to the season, added to the fact that we have been awarded the Riders’ Championship for our league.“Two fairly glamorous meetings, one to commence and one near the end, which is very nice to have been asked. We were delighted to accept.“In terms of what the Facennas have done to the facilities at the stadium, what is on offer now is markedly improved on the days when Stewart Dickson and I were merely tenants.“The Facennas now own the entire complex including the football club. It makes it easier and it’s one of the reasons why we’ve got the meeting. We’ll be set to go on March 12.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
POOLE have completed their line-up for the SGB Premiership season by announcing the return of Brady Kurtz.The Australian youngster is set for a second campaign with the Pirates – and promoter Matt Ford believes plenty of improvement remains in him.Ford said: “He was genuinely surprised when I invited him back for he felt that he hadn't done himself justice during 2016 but he, and also myself, firmly believe that he is better than his end-of-season performances.“I have total trust and confidence in him and I think now is the time for him to step forward and make his mark, both for the Pirates and on the international scene.“2017 will be the season that is the turning point for BK and I am delighted to have him back at Wimborne Road, to complete a team that has good potential and development.”
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EDINBURGH are set to re-introduce Mitchell Davey in 2017 after an absence of almost four seasons.Davey suffered a badly broken right femur in a crash at Sheffield in August 2013, but got his career back on track in the National League this year and will now return to Armadale subject to BSPA approval.Davey said: “I was waiting to get Edinburgh sorted, that was my main priority but I may well ride National League as well as Championship.“In 2016 I did mainly National League, but rode for Edinburgh at Scunthorpe, a meeting for Workington at Berwick and the KO Cup Final for Glasgow at Newcastle.“It was nice to do well for Coventry plus guest bookings for Birmingham and Stoke, and score a maximum and paid maximum. Best feeling in the world.”
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KELSEY Dugard is to return to Eastbourne next season after a year away at the Isle of Wight.Dugard missed out on a team spot with the Eagles in 2016 and brother Connor – the club’s manager – says next year he must kick on in the sport.Said Connor Dugard: “I'll be one of the first to admit I didn't think he was up to it, and at times I have told him where he's at as opposed to where he thinks he's at.“In fairness I look at his average and it has gone down, however, the league was harder last year and he did ride at No.2 so that was fair enough and he didn't actually crash as much as he did in the previous year.“We have a deal with Kelsey with regards to his fitness and bike maintenance which has been a major problem in the past. However, he has promised us that will change.“He really has to crack on this year and establish himself at this level, as riders that started at the same time as him really have progressed massively in the past two seasons.”
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TOM Woolley is rejoining Buxton in 2017 having spent last season with Belle Vue.Woolley joins fellow returnee Matt Williamson and team member from this year Shelby Rutherford in the line-up so far for the Hitmen.Manger Jason Pipe said: “Tom guested a few times for us at home in the latter part of last season and he rode the track like a track specialist with some very good scores, and some of those from the No.1 spot!“It was great to see him back to being the rider we all know. I'm really looking forward to working with him again in 2017.“Tom will start the season in the No.3 or 4 position, which he's very happy about. Now fully fit and sleeker, I can see Tom putting another 1.00-1.50 points on to his starting average of 4.90 and having his best season yet in the sport.”
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DARRYL Ritchings has become the fourth 2016 National League title winner to rejoin Birmingham for next season.The Wiltshire racer returns on a 7.04 starting average and team boss Graham Drury is predicting a big year for Ritchings.Drury said: “I fully expect Darryl to be pushing really close for our No.1 race jacket alongside our other three heat-leaders next season and I think that could be an interesting battle in itself.“He was disappointed with his form in the second part of the season, but that just tells you what he expects of himself at this level. For me, he was a consistent, solid performer who contributed some vital points for the team and rarely scored below his average.“I think Darryl will come back refreshed from the winter break and we look forward to having him as part of another exciting looking team.”
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CRADLEY have just one team spot to fill after agreeing a deal to bring Conor Dwyer to the club for 2017.Dwyer, who spent the last two seasons with the Coventry Strom, joins on a 4.05 average – a figure he is confident he can build on around a Monmore Green circuit he favours.“A lot of people won’t know, but I’ve actually already done plenty of laps around Monmore,” Dwyer said.“Last season, I raced in almost every second half after Wolves’ Elite League meetings so it shouldn’t take me too long to settle at all.“I think we’ve got a strong team on paper and we should definitely be in the mix all season long.“Being based in Coventry, it will be good to race for another fairly local team and I’m looking forward to meeting the supporters.”
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SCOTT Campos has been installed as the new manager of King’s Lynn’s National League side.The 27-year-old has raced for the club over the past eight seasons but now joins the backroom for a side which so far includes Ryan Kinsley, Lewis Whitmore and Taylor Hampshire.Campos said: “It's been something in the pipeline for about a year and a half now. Me and Dale (Allitt) discussed it some time ago and I’m glad to get a chance to take it on. “There is a bit more responsibility for me now Dale has moved up to manage the main team, but I'm looking forward to it.“It's a new challenge, so hopefully I can do a good job and help make it a successful season for the Young Stars.”(SPEEDWAY (9)
THE Isle of Wight have confirmed the signing of heat-leader Nathan Greaves as they continue to build for the 2017 National League season.The Warriors have also handed Tyler Govier a return, probably in a reserve berth, after spending much of this year’s campaign with the club.Team boss Jackie Vatcher said: “It's not a secret that Nathan was hot property this winter and for the Island to capture him is further proof that we mean business in 2017. “Nathan only turns 19 prior to the start of the new season, so he is still in the early stages of his career, but he has the experience of four seasons of racing behind him already. So, an old head already but on very young shoulders.“It was unfortunate how Tyler's season ended with the Warriors last season but there is no doubting his ability to win races, especially around Smallbrook. We aim to make our home venue a fortress in 2017 and Tyler's inclusion will be key to that.”
