NEWS: Brandon Bees make a comeback

A new era of Cycle Speedway begins this Tuedsay (12th May) at the Warwickshire village circuit of Bretford when the Brandon Bees entertain Coventry in the Midlands League Division 2.

The match goes ahead at Brandon Road Playing Fields (7.15pm) with the new Brandon Bees team taking to the track for the first time. They take over from Bretford Bulldogs who pulled out of racing in the close season.

A new group of administrators will be managing the exciting new Brandon project, including Mark Phillips from Rugby and local Bretford resident Mark Roberts. They will be joined by experienced officials Rob Hardie (chairman), Jez Hughes (treasurer) and Lee Marsh (team manager).

Club coaches will be local enthusiast Kevin Perrott, one of the mangers at nearby Sports Connexion, at Ryton, and world class Australian rider Bobby McMillan, who lives near the track in Brandon Road, Bretford.

Officials are shortly to launch a weekly “Clubnight” come and try it evening for newcomers and local youngsters, which shall be run by Perrott and McMillan, where first timers can have a free practice. Bikes and safety equipment will be supplied.

Until a new team of local handlebar heroes are found via the new coaching sessions, the Brandon Bees team will be staffed by Coventry signed riders. Brandon have obtained special dispensation from the Midland League management committee to allow this for the 2015 season only.

Chairman Rob Hardie explained: “There is a national boom in cycling, as demonstrated by marvellous Olympic success, Tour De France victories and more people cycling everyday.

“It’s important therefore that all cycling facilities, like the Cycle Speedway track in Bretford, are kept operative and are ready for use by local people. Our initiative, by using local people like Mark Phillips and Mark Roberts, together with others from the booming Coventry club, will allow this to happen”.

The Brandon Bees name has been revived from the former Brandon team of the same name, who rode in the 1970s in the car park track at Coventry Speedway Stadium. Officials hope this will help promote the new Cycle Speedway club.

For more information on Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway club, please ring: 07899 793532.