Holder Danny wants his third Bonanza
Latest News Wednesday 7th February 2024, 9:04am
Danny King will be competing for the tenth time in the Ben Fund Bonanza meeting at Workington on Saturday 16th March, aiming to consolidate his position as highest point scorer in the history of the event (87 from 9 meetings) and also maybe becoming the first rider to win the Bonanza 3 times (only Danny and Craig Cook have won it twice).
He is the current holder having won the King's Lynn event last year, and previously won at Scunthorpe in 2020, the meeting completed just prior to the mass lockdown.
He said "I knew I was close to top scorer but I thought Ben might still be ahead." (Barker has scored 84 points in 13 appearances).
"I think the Ben Fund is a fantastic idea, we say the same thing every year but it has supported so many riders over the years. It's nice to know that we have that kind of backing in the sport, and from a speedway rider's point of view it's the perfect meeting to start the season with – a competitive meeting and an opportunity to get back on track before the league racing starts. So it ticks a lot of boxes."
Even safe experienced riders will be out of action at some time in their careers and Danny is no exception. "The Ben Fund have helped me before, certainly when I did my arm, that was a slow process and the Ben Fund were there to help straight away. Fantastic."
The choice of venue for the fourteenth Bonanza is meeting with approval, and he says "I'm excited about being at Workington as well, I have been there with a young friend of mine who was riding there though I haven't ridden it. We're there with Redcar early on and I think we have three matches there this season, so it will be nice to get a bit of practice in."
The Witches' skipper has avoided any of the enforced moves this winter and returns to his 2023 clubs. "Really happy with that, it was what I wanted. It's nice to have a bit of consistency in where you're going and what you're doing.
"I finished the season nice and strong with Redcar so it's good to be back there. I'm captaining Ipswich again and having Jason and Emil back helps make it really easy to be captain. But on the other hand I've been at Ipswich so long – I think this is my tenth year in a row there and probably my 14th, 15th in total, so I know the track probably better than anyone else, I know the conditions, and if I can help out in any way I do."
All riders are available for sponsorship and Danny, not for the first time, will be sponsored by his good friends Steve and Sarah of the Panthers programme.
Admission prices for the Bonanza have been announced: They will be £23 for Adults, £20 (Concessions), £10 Students (16-18), £6 kids (8-16) and Under 8s Free. The main event will be 20 Qualifying heats and a Final with support heats for 3 Women's races and 2 250cc Youth races.
Anyone interested in any of the sponsorship or advertising packages please contact SRBF secretary Stephanie Babb on 07901 976912 or email benfundbonanza@yahoo.com
