First two names for the Bonanza
Latest News Wednesday 25th January 2023, 9:00am
Preparations are well under way for the thirteenth staging of the Ben Fund Bonanza at King's Lynn on Saturday 25th March (5pm). The organisers are pleased with how plans are coming together and are happy to announce the first two names for the event – Freddie Lindgren and Simon Lambert.
The great Swede Freddie is appearing in a Bonanza for the third time. He was in the first ever event at Sheffield back in 2009 and returned for the second staging at Rye House the next year, on a glorious sunny afternoon which drew the biggest crowd and probably the best lineup so far for a Bonanza.
Lindgren said "It's a very important cause. For myself, I've been on that side of things by being injured very seriously.
"I had some help from the Ben Fund and if I can contribute to some other riders getting help when they have a really tough time then I am more than happy to do that."
SRBF Secretary/Treasurer Stephanie Babb has worked with Lindgren throughout his time in the UK, so his commitment is especially pleasing for her. "He's not ridden over here for some time but I've worked with Freddie since he first came over, I did his Testimonial for him and we've always got on well. As he says the Ben Fund helped him out when he suffered a bad neck injury a few years ago."
Ms Babb is equally happy to welcome the ever-popular Simon Lambert into the field, also competing in his third Bonanza. He appeared in the previous two at Scunthorpe (2020) and Peterborough (2022).
"He's a lovely lad," she said "he always asks to be in the Bonanza and I am always happy to have him. You can guarantee he will give his all in every meeting."
The 32 year old from Boston features several seasons at the staging track King's Lynn on his record, though this season so far he only has a return to Scunthorpe in his plans.
You'd never expect anything less than great enthusiasm from Simon. He said "I'm back at Scunthorpe and we've got a pretty good team I think personally, pretty strong in all departments.
"I'm honoured to ride in the Ben Fund again, obviously what everybody who works for the Ben Fund does, not just for the guys who get injured this year but the long-term injured riders, is fantastic and has been over the years. I've used it myself and I think it's great that it is one of the first meetings of the season.
"It attracts a better crowd, everyone wants their methanol fix at that stage. I am so pleased Freddie Lindgren is doing it, I'm not a big name compared to Freddie Lindgren and to get him is brilliant. There's a lot of people out there who want to do it for such a good cause.
"It's early season, it's a little bit of paid practise, it's competitive racing. It's not about the money, it's for the prestige of being in it and it's for the cause. I'm one of these riders, I want as many meetings as I can get. I never turn bookings down unless I really have to. The season only runs from April really nowadays.
"I'd certainly like a Premiership place too, I increased my average again last year, I've done that for the last two or three seasons, and what people forget is that I'm riding with a full-blown number one in Dougie, so unless I get a paid win I would be getting a third or last in heat 1. Not everyone realises the achievement of that.
"Preparations are well under way, bikes are being built, I've got my new gear!"
