Ben Fund field complete

THE LINE-UP for the Ben Fund Bonanza at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway on Saturday (2pm) has been completed – and what a mouth-watering line-up it is!

Ben Barker, an ever-present in the Bonanza, joins the field with vital funds set to be raised for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund charity.

Somerset signing Barker is joined by Swindon newcomer Anders Rowe.

Rowe said: “I will do whatever I can for them because the whole concept of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund is absolutely superb and I cannot speak highly enough of all the great work that they do.

“It’s not just when riders get injured that they are there for you. They are there if you have any other issues too.”

Barker has sung the praises of Ackroyd, the former referee who has done so much work behind the scenes for the brilliant cause down the years.

“Over the years I have developed a good friendship with Paul,” he said. “He does so much for us riders and like I said I believe that we, as riders, owe them a duty to turn out and ride in their meetings.

“After all they are there to support us and over the years they have helped me out personally but also many of my friends in the sport.

“The support they offer is not just limited to the rider, but they do so much to help the families.

“It really is a brilliant Fund, and if I were to be totally honest, I would have to admit it annoys me when some riders just can’t put themselves out to ride in the meetings.”

There are also three changes to the line-up, but there are some cracking replacement riders, including a Scunthorpe Scorpion.

Wolverhampton duo Jacob Thorssell and Nick Morris are now unavailable, while Ulrich Ostergaard has also been withdrawn by Peterborough with the club’s press and practice day taking place on the same day.

Scunthorpe’s Flying Finn Tero Aarnio, Berwick star Aaron Summers, and Newcastle racer James Wright will step in to take their place.

The returning Wright has echoed Barker’s thoughts, revealing as soon as he saw a date set for the event, he was straight on the phone to Ackroyd offering his services.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve done a few meetings for the Ben Fund before and with me coming back to the sport I’m happy to do my little bit to give something back,” said Wright.

“As soon as I knew about the meeting, I rang Paul Ackroyd to offer my services – it’s all for a good cause.”

An official raceday magazine will be available on the day for just £4 including feature interviews with Sam Norris, Lewis Kerr, Ben Barker and many more!

The inspirational Norris will lead out the riders on a tandem bike alongside Ricky Ashworth with the meeting getting underway at 2pm.

2020 BEN FUND BONANZA LINE-UP:

Josh Auty, James Wright, Aaron Summers, Ben Barker, Steve Worrall, Danny King, Lewis Kerr, Tom Bacon, Paul Starke, Tero Aarnio, Thomas Jorgensen, Connor Mountain, Andreas Jensen, Anders Rowe, Simon Lambert, Kasper Andersen.

PHOTO: Flying Finn Theo Pijper (pic by Ian Rispin).