Miscellaneous Speedway
Shaun Tacey Testimonial - 'back with a bang.'
By Admin
Sep 6, 2006, 20:21

This Sunday (September 10th) sees a Spectacular afternoon of entertainment at Mildenhall Stadium as Speedway stalwart Shaun Tacey celebrates his Testimonial meeting .

The Norwich born and bred racer, who has been a seasoned performer in British Speedway since his early days , has put together a top class line-up to contest his meeting at Mildenhall on Sunday.

In total there are 28 races , which includes his main meeting which culminates in an eight man 12 lap Final , a special Conference league Challenge involving trackless Wimbledon and also the cream of Sidecar action.

The action all starts with the Grand parade on Harley Davidson machines at 2pm with the gates opening at the Stadium at 12 noon with a range of trade stands for the fans to enjoy including one with instant photographs with Shaun and the stars of his meeting!

In reality though the party would have all kicked off the previous evening when Shaun takes over the stadium immediately after the conclusion of the Fen Tigers match with Somerset on the Saturday afternoon. The majority of the riders taking part in the Sunday meeting will be joining him to kick off the Testimonial in style with a party night. It all starts with the World Championship Grand Prix from Latvia being shown on the Big Screens in the Stadium Bar whilst the barbeques are warming up to cook the food for the evening.

There will be a mini-auction and raffle, disco and fun till late before the riders retire in readiness for battle the following day out on track. Tickets for the party which include the food are priced £5 adults and £2.50 children.

On the Sunday the meeting will be split up with races from the main event , sidecars and then in the interval the world famous Wimbledon Dons, currently without a track, will meet the Sittingbourne Crusaders in a six heat , five man teem event, before the action returns to the main testimonial races culminating with the 12 lap , eight man final.

This will be preceded by the Sidecar Final contested by the top three crews where the three times British Champions Shaun Harvey and Danny Hogg will be favourites to take the honours although they are up against the other top British based crews.

Although Shaun has lost out on a few of the original line-up for his Testimonial meeting due to injuries and fixture clashes he has been able to pull in a top class field .

Home interest from Mildenhall fans will centre around the likes of Jason Lyons , the King brothers, and  James Brundle but there is also the unknown quantities of two young Swedish riders who ride along side Shaun at Team Bikab in Linus Eklof and Jimmy Jansson.

Also out to impress will be young Australian Mark Jones , brother of the late Ashley Jones , who tragically was killed in a racing accident back home in Australia in the winter. Mark has paid his own way over here this year to get as many rides as he can and recently top scored for Carmarthen and Wales Select in Challenges at Weymouth and is keen to put himself in the shop window for promoters.

Wily old campaigner Craig Boyce of Poole, now also the Australian team manager , was one of the first riders to offer his services to “Tace” whilst Oxford’s England International David Howe sent a text to pleading to be included!!

Peterborough’s Richard Hall wanted to ride having spent many a trip abroad racing with Shaun whilst Arena Essex’s Leigh Lanham is a close friend and former team mate from Shaun’s time as a Hammer down at Purfleet.

Glenn Cunningham of Somerset is another rider who goes back a long way with Shaun with both rides making their racing mark about the same time with Glenn staying over after racing the previous day for Somerset at Mildenhall.

Paul Lee was awaiting medical clearance to see if he could take his place in the line-up for his first ride of the year and the first since his bad crash at Kings Lynn last year. He had an operation to remove some metalwork from his arm last week and a late decision on his fitness will be taken.  If the decision is a negative one Shaun has another rider lined up to replace him.

American ace Billy Janniro didn’t need any second asking when approached to do the meeting . A former Coventry team mate of Shaun’s the all action Yank will no doubt be “Mr Entertainment” –both Saturday night at the party and Sunday at the meeting!! If anyone fancies an arm wrestling contest he’s your man to challenge!!

Entrance costs to the meting have been set at £14 for adults , £5 for the under16’s , Oap’s and under 5’s £4 –with a goody bag for the under5’s!! A special A4 sized 24 page Souvenir Brochure will be on sale which includes the race programme at £3.