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Last Updated: Nov 28th, 2010 - 10:22:29 |
With the new speedway season getting ever closer, the Buxton Hitmen have announced Robert Branford as the sixth member of their team.
With the ethos of the Buxton club being a place for young riders to learn their trade and progress at their own pace, the young Australian who holds a British passport will be making his debut when the Hitmen begin in early April. In Australia, Branford is limited to individual meetings but the team environment and regular racing will be a challenge that he is looking forward to.
The chance to ride for Buxton came about after lengthy discussions stretching back to last season. Buxton boss Richard Moss said, “We have been talking to Darrell Branford (Robert’s father) since September after receiving an email from him looking for a team spot in the UK for 2010. He contacted several clubs but after a lot of discussion and a recommendation from Scott James, he pledged his immediate future to Buxton just before Christmas.”
With the Hitmen winning the race for his signature, 16-year-old Branford said, “I am very excited about getting the opportunity to ride for Buxton. I have heard the track can be very testing and technical but I’m hoping I can find my way around and use this to my advantage. Dad's been in contact with Buxton for a long time now and over time with the help of Scott James, who is a mentor and my engine tuner, the deal came together.” He added, “It is a very big commitment for me and my father to come all the way over to England but I am sure it will be a great experience and I am hoping I can become a better rider.”
The desire to progress as a speedway rider has shown by the young man’s determination to get over to the UK. His father Darrell commented, “When Robert said that he wanted to go to the UK, the deal was that he would have to pay his own way. The trip is totally self-funded by myself and him, no million dollar sponsors helping us out. He worked two jobs until Christmas, then gave one job up and has worked full time roof tiling the last 10 weeks, not a nice job in Australia in the middle of summer. He has also given away his other love, racing motocross to make sure he arrives in the UK uninjured.”
As with all forms of motorsport, it is expensive to maintain racing machinery and Branford will be actively seeking sponsorship when he is at Buxton. Moss added, “They will be staying in Matlock at Wayside Farm Holiday Park and our thanks go to Stuart and Janet Hole for their assistance. They are a valued sponsor of the Hitmen and we appreciate their kind help.”
The youngster from Adelaide has had plenty of racing over the past couple of months in Australia and has experience of facing riders with good pedigree’s over in the UK like Robert Ksiezak, Josh Auty and Justin Sedgman, all of whom have ridden at Premier League level. “Robert is very keen and wants to get as much riding experience as possible with the view to making the step up to the Premier League in the future. Most of his gear is already on its way over and he and father Darrell are due to arrive at the end of March.” concluded Mr Moss.
It will be a big change for the Branfords, not least in the temperature, but sometimes you have to put yourself out to achieve your dreams. The Buxton supporters will back the young man as they always do and he said, “I have heard the people at the Buxton club are very friendly and welcoming and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”
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