The Kings Lynn Connection
Latest News Wednesday 8th February 2023, 9:00am
The two riders announced this week as competitors in this year's Ben Fund Bonanza have a strong King's Lynn connection – 2023 team member Michael Palm Toft, and Lewis Kerr who has something like 7 seasons with the senior King's Lynn side on his record.
Kerr has been a strong supporter of the cause having ridden in the last three Bonanzas (a finalist in 2020 at Scunthorpe) and having also taken it upon himself to organise successful golf days to raise funds.
He was naturally happy to have enjoyed a virtually injury-free 2022 season. "It was a good season for myself, the second half especially, probably the best I've had. To be injury-free all season was fantastic. I had a late season bump at Armadale and missed the match the following day, that was the only thing that happened".
That was a welcome contrast to some of his previous campaigns. "I've had to call on the Ben Fund a few times and they've been incredible. They were fantastic for me and my wife as well, brilliant.
"I've always liked to do the Bonanza meetings, it's for a great cause and normally the first of the season, it's great to do that. I've also done two or three golf days in aid of the Ben Fund as well, so I've made some money for them that way too."
He'd like to improve on that fourth-place finish at Scunthorpe. "I think that was a retirement as well, I did a chain on the line. So I could have won it, you never know!"
The track for this year's event will hold no fears and he approaches the season with confidence. "I know King's Lynn well obviously even though I switched from them to Sheffield during last season. That worked out really well for me. I'm really happy to be back at Sheffield this year.
"I'm looking forward to Oxford as well, I loved the track there this year, it's closer than Redcar for me and Wednesday nights suit me well. Looking forward to hooking up with Sam and Scott of course, I'd like to win the Pairs again as I did last year, that will be one of my goals, but the hardest thing might be getting into Oxford's pair!"
Michael Palm Toft, joining the King's Lynn side this season, will be a debutant in the Bonanza, adding to the 104 riders who have competed in the 13 events previous.
He says "I'm definitely looking forward to it, a few years ago at Glasgow I was meant to do it but in the end I wasn't able to, so this time I will be there".
Michael's 2022 season was badly disrupted by injury in a crash at Poole in June, after which he only rode four more meetings – and he struggled to be competitive in at least 3 of them.
"Yes the Ben Fund gave me some help last year which was really good. It was a shoulder injury I had, it was a weird one but it stopped me from riding and other things that I use my shoulder for".
He has no worries about adapting to the track at the Adrian Flux Arena. "I like the King's Lynn track, it's probably been a little bit different this year to what I am used to. But I like the shape, I like the way it's normally prepared anyway. It will be fun.
"I'm also back at Scunthorpe who own my contract over here so it's obviously good to be back there at a track I like".
One change for the Dane this year will be that the familiar figure of mechanic Richard Element will not be at all of his meetings.
Michael explained "Richard's been really good for me but he's got a full time job now. He'll jump in if I need a hand every now and again".
Something for badge collectors to watch out for: The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund was founded in 1948 and will this year be bringing out a 75th Anniversary badge. More details to follow.
