Bonanza number 15 coming up
Latest News Wednesday 19th March 2025, 8:00am
The final two names for the Ben Fund Bonanza at Oxford on Sunday 23rd March (6pm) are the recently signed Cheetah Jonas Knudsen, and the one there was never any doubt about, ever-present Ben Barker who has never missed a Bonanza. Supporters should remember that tickets for the meeting need to be bought in advance, no payment on the day, and they can be purchased via the Oxford or SRBF websites.
Barker's involvement is now taken for granted and he says himself "It's no surprise I don't even need the invitation any more. We'll continue to do it until I call it a day. We're still enjoying it so let's keep it going!
"I didn't really think when I did the first one in 2009 that I'd still be doing it in 2025 but it's good, it's an honour to be part of it."
He has Oxford experience over a longer period than anyone else in the field. "Oxford's where I started my career back in 2003. I quite enjoy the new track and they are doing good things there. I got 15 there for Plymouth on my first time back in 2023."
Ben is hopeful that his Plymouth team can do well in the Championship. "We've got Nicolai Klindt which gives us a real good opening rider, and I think we are going to be strong in the middle order. That will be our hunting ground! I think Lasse Fredricksen has a lot to offer too, and sometimes I think when people have a change it does them the world of good. I'm looking forward to it."
He sees some broadcasting as part of his season also, and he has won praise for this in the past. "I would really like to as I do enjoy it. I'll definitely do a lot of the National League stuff at Plymouth, and I hope to get some guest appearances at other tracks!"
The 23 year old Dane Jonas Knudsen will be entering his fourth UK season although in truth he has not ridden 40 meetings in total yet.
The 23 year old Dane Knudsen is aware of the Ben Fund, and says "I've not used it, I know that it helps injured riders so it's a good thing and it's something I want to take part in obviously."
He has scored well and looked impressive at times in the UK but explains why he hasn't yet broken through to his satisfaction. "The first season I came in at the end, and the second season for Berwick I got a bit stressed out with too many meetings and things going wrong. Last year with Redcar I got sacked after a big crash I had, and I don't think they were so happy with my results. I had a very good meeting at Workington (12+2).
"I think I made a big mistake last season to bring in one of my Polish engines which were too strong for the tracks and I could never make a start. I'm going to change that this season which should make a difference. I want more points to do well for the team and stay in the team all season. I just need things to click and be more consistent.
"Oxford is a track I like really much, I can't wait to have it as my home track. I kind of like every track in Britain, they suit my style."
Oxford is his main commitment plus some involvement in Poland. "I am racing for Zielona Gora mainly in the Under 24 league and of course the fight for the first team. That plus Oxford, and hopefully I will guest a few times in Denmark. It's a new rule there this season for under 24 riders to guest for other teams. I nearly signed for Outrup but I wasn't guaranteed any meetings, I had to fight with Klindt for that position. So it is a better option to take guest bookings."
Ben Fund Bonanza 2025 field: Jason Doyle, Charles Wright, Sam Masters, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Erik Riss, Tobiasz Musielak, Adam Ellis, Freddie Lindgren, Lewis Kerr, Max Fricke, Maciej Janowski, Peter Kildemand, Justin Sedgmen, Jonas Knudsen, Ben Barker. Reserve Dan Gilkes.
