EIGHT up-and-coming British riders will showcase their talents at British speedway’s season opener in Glasgow next month.
Youth boss Neil Vatcher will be bringing the youngsters north as part of the 2017 Ben Fund Bonanza at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium on March 12.
Leon Flint, Joe Thompson, Ryan Morris, Dan Thompson will ride 250cc machines with Corban Pavitt, Sam McGurk, Harry McGurk and Luke Harrison on the 125s.
Vatcher said: “I spoke to organiser Paul Ackroyd prior to the announcement that the meeting was at Glasgow, and at first we were taking about four riders coming because it was such a long way.
“I spoke to the mums and dads and there were more boys keen to come than I had anticipated. So I asked Paul for an extra race which he kindly agreed to.
“So we have eight riders and we will give two groups of guys two races each. It will be their opening event of the season and my boys are really looking forward to it.”
He added: “It’s all about track time and getting the kids on different tracks. We went to Glasgow last year for the first time for the British Youth Championship, and everyone that went could not speak highly enough of the place. We will be going back again later in the season which will be another occasion we will look forward to.
“Obviously riding at the Ben Fund will be in front of a big audience, and a chance to show the British public how much we’ve come on and how much there is to look forward to in years to come.”
It’s hoped the experience will let the young riders know about the role of the Ben Fund, which offers help to riders who suffer serious injury while taking part in the sport.
Vatcher said: “A couple of the boys have done the Ben Fund before at Swindon and King’s Lynn, and we do try to educate them about the Ben Fund. I think Paul is keen to talk to them before the event. The boys will be fully aware of what it’s all about, we all know the risks of the sport.”
A host of stars from Britain’s top two tiers have already been announced for the meeting: Aaron Summers, Richie Worrall and Richard Lawson (Glasgow), Kevin Doolan, Claus Vissing and Lewis Bridger (Berwick), Thomas Jorgensen and Ty Proctor (Workington), Ben Barker (Redcar) and James Sarjeant (Coventry).