Jason Bunyan has been handed the chance of a lifetime after receiving the wild card berth for the inaugural FIM New Zealand Speedway Grand Prix in Auckland on March 31, the opening round of the 2012 World Championship series.

The 32-year-old spends his winters in the land of the long white cloud and has made a massive impact in the New Zealand Championships. He has won the competition six times and only Larry Ross, who triumphed nine times between 1976 and 1990, has claimed more New Zealand titles.

Bunyan dons the famous No.16 race jacket at Western Springs Stadium. He is the only rider in the field to have previously raced at the circuit and cannot wait for what will be the biggest meeting of his career.

He said: “I’m honoured to have been offered such a huge opportunity. This meeting is a great chance to raise the profile of speedway in New Zealand and I’m glad to be a part of it.

“I’ve had some great success in the country throughout my career and I’ll do my best to make sure that continues at Western Springs.”

BSI Speedway managing director Paul Bellamy said: “Jason has been a fantastic servant to speedway in New Zealand and, along with the FIM and Motorcycle New Zealand, we’re pleased to offer him this wild card pick.

“I’m sure the New Zealand fans will reward the loyalty he has shown by competing in their national championships for so many years and support him as one of their own at the Grand Prix in March.

“Jason has a reputation for being a tough customer on the track and he won’t be intimidated by the prospect of taking on 15 of the world’s best riders in this historic meeting.”

Bill Buckley, principal, Springs Promotions, co-promoters of the inaugural FIM New Zealand Grand Prix, commented: “Jason has been very good for Solo (speedway) racing in New Zealand. He has made this place his home and it’s great we can call on him to represent us.

"He has run many schools and taught many riders the art of Solo (speedway). He has been back to the UK most years and races with the best from there. I am sure he will make us proud.”

Bunyan will be joined in the Grand Prix by 2011 NZ champion, Grant Tregoning, who has been handed one of the track reserve berths and wears the No.17 race jacket. Andrew Aldridge is the second stand-in and will line up at No.18.