Elite League
Belle Vue Speedway: Aces celebrate 80 years on 28 July.
By Admin
May 20, 2008, 18:48

Ggand Prix men Leigh Adams, Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris will head a hot challenge when Belle Vue celebrate their 80th anniversary at Kirkmanshulme Lane on July 28.

The One51 Aces' management are busy attracting a top international field for the club's night of nights when their double World champion, Jason Crump, will be out to resist allcomers in the battle for the coveted Peter Craven Memorial Trophy.

The current Belle Vue team will be competing apart from their No 8, Robert Ksiezak, the Glasgow rider who has been deputising for long-term injury victim, Steve Boxall.

Invitations have also been accepted by two highly popular former Aces riders, Birmingham's veteran Aussie Jason Lyons, dubbed Mr Belle Vue by fans for his 13-year stint with the club, and Simon Stead. He remains a Belle Vue asset but is riding for Coventry on loan this season.

However the Aces, in keeping with their tradition for encouraging young riders, have also booked in two of the sport's outstanding rising stars in Tai Woffinden, of Premier League Rye House, and Poole's Aussie flier Chris Holder.

The meeting will be contested by 16 riders over the traditional 20-heat formula and will be part of a carnival night to mark the club's remarkable achievement of never having closed since the first meeting in 1928, also on July 28.

Craven, a double World champion before his death in a crash in 1963, is one of a number of Belle Vue legends over the years and the club are busy finding as many former riders as possible for a pre-meeting parade.

Aces' chief David Gordon said: "We are still finalising what will be a top field for the meeting and we are delighted that Leigh, Scott and Chris have accepted their invitations.

"They are all very quick round Belle Vue so our boys will have to be on their toes if we are to mark our big night with a home winner. We invited Tai Woffinden after his brilliant show when guesting for us in May and, likewise, we have been very impressed with Chris Holder. We are working on a variety of other attractions because we are proud of this club's history and mean to make the night a huge success."

Gordon Pairman, the Aces Financial Director, has prepared admission and VIP packages with concessions for supporters who buy their tickets before June 30.

General turnstile admission: £20 or £18 before June 30; Concessions (OAP and students): £14.00 or £12.50; Junior (12 – 15): £7.50 or £6.75.

Pre-purchase will only be available through applications to Belle Vue Speedway, Highland House, Europa Triangle, John Gilbert Way, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1FP either by sending in a cheque, with an SAE, or by phone with a credit or debit card on 0161 877 8908 (office hours)

There will be a limited number of VIP entries at £50 (£45 if bought before 30 June) to include: Admission, Souvenir Programme, Buffet, Reserved seat and guaranteed admission to the post-match event in the Willoughby Suite. There will be no concessionary or child rates for VIP tickets.

The Aces will endeavour to ensure that star guests, plus as many of the night's riders as possible, are available for the Willoughby Suite event and a raffle or auction is being planned.

Numbers at the post-match event will be restricted and tickets, priced at £3, will only be available on the night.

Season ticket holders will be entitled to free admission to the meeting or, if they want a VIP ticket, they can buy one for £30 (£25 if bought before June 30).

Supporters who have paid for reserved seats at league matches will not have them available for this meeting.