Sam and Danny are in
Latest News Wednesday 15th January 2025, 5:02pm
Ben Fund Bonanza organisers believe that this year's event on March 23rd at Oxford will have the best field for many years, and they do no harm to that belief with this week's announcement that Sam Masters and Danny King will be in the meeting.
UK veteran King has probably the best record in the Bonanza with ten previous appearances, 99 points in the qualifying heats, 2 meeting victories and three third places. His points tally is 10 ahead of the next highest. So is it a meeting he especially puts his best endeavours towards?
"I'd do that for any meeting," he says, "but especially the Ben Fund when you consider the riders it has helped over the years. Everyone knows about the help the Ben Fund has given."
Danny had reason to be grateful for personal help from the SRBF last year. Viewers of BSN will have seen him wiped out at Workington but he says "It wasn't actually that one which did the damage, I crashed in the following meeting and broke my hand. I had to have surgery and the Ben Fund helped with that.
"It doesn't matter who you are, all riders are eligible for the Ben Fund's assistance and all riders should be ready to help by riding in the Bonanza."
The experienced King rides well everywhere but he adds "I like Oxford, I liked it before the current promotion started up but I like what they have done in the last couple of years. It's a great setup."
His two British sides, Oxford and Redcar, look well set for a challenge for honours once again. He's hoping that Ipswich especially will enjoy better fortunes. "There are very exciting times ahead I believe. I thought we had the best team last year but during the season every single one of us was out injured at some stage. I've never been in a team before that had every rider injured. But on paper I think we have a fantastic side this year."
Danny will be attempting to become the first ever three time winner of the Bonanza. The only other double winner is Craig Cook.
Sam Masters of course will be a home rider as he competes in his fourth Bonanza. He is back with Oxford Cheetahs with Charles Wright already announced from the Oxford Spires.
He said "It's good that we have it at Oxford. I always like to do the Bonanza if I can. Last year's was called off at Workington and I couldn't do the restaging, and the previous year it was the day before my Testimonial.
"It's a good way to start the season and the Ben Fund is great for British Speedway."
Sam didn't play a big part in the Aussie Championship this year, preferring to be with his family over the Aussie summer. "I got a chance to be the wild card at Allbury so I did that and enjoyed it, got fifth I think. I wasn't really keen to do any more, there have been a few injuries. Brady Kurtz has been superb, he really deserved the title and I think he can be right up there in the Grand Prix this season."
The Aussie is happy with the lineups of his UK sides for 2025. "Leicester are quite similar to last year and so are Oxford apart from Scottie. But there are some strong teams in both leagues. I'm certainly up for it."
