Sedgy and Kyle step in
Latest News Wednesday 25th February 2026, 9:30am
Two riders from the Scottish scene have been added to the Allied Vehicles-sponsored Ben Fund Bonanza on Saturday 28th March at Glasgow. Edinburgh's Justin Sedgmen and Glasgow's Kyle Howarth will have plenty of local support in the race to become the sixteenth Bonanza winner.
Edinburgh's popular heat leader 'Sedgy' said "I wasn't injured last season so I did not need the Ben Fund's assistance, but for what they did for me in 2024, I should do the Ben Fund every year for the rest of my career."
The Aussie has competed three times previously with a best score of 10 at Workington in 2024.
"I didn't know how many I'd done, last year it was at Oxford and I made the journey there. I'm living in Glasgow so it's obviously easier than Oxford, just 40 mins down the road. As soon as I saw where it was this year I approached them straight away and put my nomination forward to ride in it.
"It's the start of the year and everyone always want to do a bit of riding before the main fixtures start. Hopefully the weather holds so we can have a good day."
The Aussie Championship did not go especially well for the Monarchs man. "It wasn't a very successful Australian title I know that. I felt good before it leading up to Christmas, I was doing a fair bit of practise and I did a couple of meetings and did well, was pretty good in the Crump meeting until the final, then on New Years day I got influenza A if you know what that is. Everyone had it, Ben Cook had it, Scott Nicholls had it, my old man and my brother, Neil Evitts – it went through everyone.
"I think if the Australian Championship was a week earlier or a week later I would have been OK. I did think about not doing the last two rounds.
"I did the Oceana meeting, did OK in it and I did the Jason Lyons meeting the following week. I was starting to feel a bit better. I put a lot of effort in to the Australian Championships, I had sent engines and bikes that were pretty decent, but I couldn't get it going. I don't think it was really the bikes it was more me. Very frustrating.
Last year he had an average around 7.5 for Edinburgh which was fine, but he lost his place at Sheffield. "I enjoyed riding for Edinburgh but I didn't enjoy speedway in general. I've got everything ready for this year but I'm not heading over till 14th March, then I'll be ready to go. I'd take a Premiership place if it's right, I am not going to jump at any offer."
Glasgow's second highest average man (over 8) Kyle Howarth was an obvious choice for the meeting and he should be a contender. He was third in the event as far back as 2013. He said:
"It's always been a meeting to do, to give back, they've helped me in the past. It's a great meeting to do for a great cause. It's always nice when you get asked to do it.
"I've had a few years run of the meeting clashing with other things but with it being at Glasgow and nothing clashing, it's great for me being at my home track, I can get a little bit of extra practise and give something to a great cause.
