THE 2017 British Under-19 Championship will take place at the St Boniface Arena in Plymouth on Thursday, July 6.
The showpiece event has traditionally moved around the country in recent years and will now head South West.
Great Britain youth boss Neil Vatcher said: "In previous years we have struggled to find a venue for it, but in the last three or four years clubs have now applied to host the event, as the quality of these young British riders is reaching a much higher standard.
"With the 2016 Under 19 Champion Max Clegg now being ineligible, there will be crowned a new British Champion on the night."Some of the early favourites will be the likes of Dan Bewley, Nathan Greaves and Zach Wajtknecht, also not forgetting 2016 Under 19 third placed rider Jack Smith plus Sheffield and Birmingham 16 year old sensation Jack Parkinson-Blackburn."The home supporters will also have plenty to cheer with both Callum Walker and Henry Atkins expected to be in the 16.
"The Young Lions would like to request if any company would like to sponsor each of the riders with a new tyre for the British Under 19 Final, then please contact the Young Lions by email at younglionsspeedway@hotmail.co.uk."Their company logo will be on the front of the race jacket as well as being named as one of the meeting sponsors."
Monday February 20, 2017
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PETERBOROUGH supremo Ged Rathbone is delighted to have been given the green light to stage the SGB Championship Fours again.The East of England Showground is the traditional home of the popular annual event, which was successfully expanded into a festival weekend last year, whilst it now returns to a one-day format in 2017 on Sunday August 6.Rathbone said: “The first Fours weekend last summer was a major success last year and we also identified lots of areas in which we could make it even better.“We received many congratulations from fellow promoters and supporters. Everyone seemed to love it and speedway needs that sort of festival occasion going forward.“It's definitely something we would like to stage again, but logistically it just wasn't possible for this year. We basically have to work two years in advance to secure a full weekend slot at the East of England Showground due to the venue being so busy.“But I'm still very pleased to be staging in the event in a one-day format, and I'm expecting it to be just as exciting as ever.”
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THE Ben Fund Bonanza at Glasgow will be sponsored by the Tigers’ team sponsors and club owners, Allied Vehicles.Company MD Peter Facenna is delighted to be backing the meeting as well as providing the facilities at Ashfield for the 2017 curtain-raiser on Sunday March 12.He said: “It’s a very important cause, when the riders most need it, it is a great thing that they can call on the Benevolent Fund. It’s a big meeting and we are pleased to bring it to Scotland.“Riders of all clubs are grateful to have the Ben Fund, at Glasgow in recent times Nike Lunna and Danny Ayres have been grateful of assistance and I think Ben Barker used it a few times!”
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NEW Birmingham captain Darryl Ritchings says it’s an honour to be leading the Brummies as they go in search of a third straight National League title.The 22-year-old was unveiled as the new skipper at a special event with club boss Graham Drury at Aston Manor Cricket Club last Thursday.Ritchings said: “Graham rang me a couple of weeks ago on a Friday and when he told me the news it really did make my weekend.“I’ve been racing a pretty long time compared to the rest of the boys now and it’s mad to think that at 22, I’ve got so much experience behind me.“To win titles is every rider’s ambition when they start out – that was the same with me and Birmingham helped me achieve that last season.“However, being captain of a team is one of the next biggest honours you can have and it’s now my next ambition to be the captain of a league winning side!”
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GREAT Britain Youth boss Neil Vatcher has hailed their 2017 Training Camp as a huge success.A total of 28 riders from the Young Lions squad spent three days together on the Isle of Wight this week in preparation for the new season.A mixture of Under 21 riders such as Josh Bates, Dan Bewley and James Shanes were joined by Under 16s including the likes of Kyle Bickley, Jordan Jenkins and Leon Flint plus other age groups.The group were all put through their paces on the track by Steve Worrall and Paul Hurry whilst fitness trainer James Dean oversaw a day of gym testing. Vatcher said: “Every single one of the riders has come away from the camp having learnt over the three days, and that is all what we could have hoped for.“Last year we did a camp for the first time which was a great experience, but this year’s camp was an even bigger success both on and off track.“Everyone that attended worked extremely hard over the course of the three days - riders, trainers and all the track staff at the Isle of Wight venue.“I would like to personally thank both Steven Worrall and Paul Hurry who did a great job working with all the boys, and especially to the BSPA for their continued support. “Most importantly, a massive thanks to all our series sponsors, because without their support none of this would be possible. Wessex Marine, Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club, APT Car Sales of Bournemouth, Rentruck of Rochdale, Meridian Lifts, PBHS of Barnsley, Friends of Speedway and Speedway Nut.”
