WEEKEND PREVIEW: Frank Knight Memorial, Midland Gold Cup and Northern 4’s

This weekend’s action starts on Saturday with the Frank Knight Memorial meeting which is being staged by the Sheffield club at Cookson Park. The host club will be represented by the defending champion Ed Morton , his brother Niall Morton, Kielan Burton, Dariusz Pilas and new loan signing from Wroclaw Damien Natonski (who will be making his debut). Birmingham will have five riders, Paul Heard (2017 winner and 2019 British Open Champion), Chris Timms, Ricky Johnson (both under 19 British champions), British Over 40’s champion Mark Winwood and Jake Steele. Hull’s Lewis Foxley makes a swift return to Sheffield, having raced at Graves with the Hull team last Sunday. Astley and Tyldesley will also have two representatives in Reece Pollitt and Pierce Bacon whilst Wednesfield’s Tom Bewick also takes part. World Champion Ben Mould (Horspath) and Edinburgh’s Jason Keith will also be racing

Former Sheffield rider Dave Robinson has come forward with a generous gesture of sponsorship, which will help towards providing cash prizes for the top three, fastest race time and wheelie challenge winner. In what is perhaps a first for cycle speedway the riders will have the choice of which of the 1 to 16 starting numbers they take. They will be timed over a flying one lap, with the quickest rider having first choice of what number to take.

Sunday sees the opening round of matches in the Midland Gold Cup at Wednesfield and this will see a battle of the Monarchs as Birmingham take on Leicester at midday which will be followed at 2pm by Coventry taking on East Park. This competition is over 5 rounds with the club that hosts each round not taking part. Wednesfield’s first appearance is scheduled to be in the 2nd round at East Park on April 10th

Also getting underway on Sunday is the Northern 4’s League and Grand Prix series and this will take place at Heckmondwike.

Enjoy your racing wherever you may be this weekend but more important than anything else please stay safe