BUNYAN BACK FOR NZ SGP

Eight-time New Zealand champion Jason Bunyan flies the Kiwi flag for a third straight season in the New Zealand FIM Speedway Grand Prix at Auckland’s Western Springs on April 5.

British-born star Bunyan was unveiled as this year’s wild card at a press conference in Auckland today, which also featured world champion Tai Woffinden and Springs Promotions principal Bill Buckley.

The 34-year-old spends the European off-season living in the City of Sails and racing in the land of the long white cloud.

Having lifted his first NZ Championship in 2004, Bunyan now stands on the brink of making history as he bids to equal Larry Ross’ record of nine national titles at Invercargill’s Oreti Park on February 8.

Bagging No.9 would be the ultimate boost for Bunyan ahead of the biggest meeting in his calendar, which sees him don the famous No.16 SGP wild card race jacket. He will be keen to better the one-point haul he achieved at Western Springs in 2012 and 2013.

The track reserves for what is the opening SGP round of 2014 will be selected after the NZ Championship next month.