Julie Lewis Memorial meeting lineup announced
Spectacular fans’ favourites David Bellego, Ty Proctor and Aaron Summers
will all return to Redcar to spearhead a stellar field for the season opening Julie Lewis Memorial Trophy on March 30th.
The trio of former Teesside number ones have all confirmed their attendance for what promises to be the most intriguing curtain raiser in the club’s history.
They will set the bar that six of the 2017 SG Petch Bears riders will try and overcome, amid a field which also includes a host of faces familiar to Media Prima Arena patrons, plus a handful of currently unattached racers intent on keeping their names in the shop window should anybody need their services.
Among the most notable of those set to appear in the annual trophy battle, previously contested by National League standard riders, is David Howe – the former England International and Scunthorpe skipper who is on the comeback trail after an 18-month injury-induced retirement from the sport.
Unfortunately, Charles Wright will be missing for the meeting as he will be riding for Somerset on the same night and they have priority on his services.
Howe is joined by popular former Bears Jacob Bukhave and Ben Morley, plus twice European Grasstrack Champion Theo Pijper, Argentinian flyer City Garcia and veteran Australian veteran Matthew Wethers, who have all featured as guests for the Teessiders in recent seasons, yet are still searching a contract to ride somewhere in Britain this season.
The demise of Coventry, whilst bad news for hitherto doubling up Bear Jason Garrity, could benefit Redcar as the spectacular Mancunian was set to miss four meetings due to fixture clashes.
“It’s terrible for Jason this close to the start of the season but obviously means that, at the moment, he is just a Redcar rider and can fulfil all of our matches,” said Bears’ boss Kevin Keay.
Full lineup:
Ben Barker
Jason Garrity
Tobias Busch
Jonas B Andersen
Richard Hall
Ellis Perks
Aaron Summers
David Bellego
Ty Proctor
Theo Pijper
David Howe
Matthew Wethers
Tero Aarnio
Coty Garcia
Ben Morley
Jacob Buckhave
Reserve David Wallinger
Reserve TBC
Meeting will be 20 Heats with every rider taking 5 rides. Top scorer will be declared the winner. Tied points will be decided by a run off.
Article courtesy of Keith McGhie and The Speedway Star.