The Peter Craven Memorial is set to return to the National Speedway Stadium in a blaze of glory on March 24 and Belle Vue’s own Craig Cook is the first confirmed name in the star-studded field.
The event will form the cornerstone of their 90th Anniversary celebrations as the oldest continually-operating speedway club in the world; the only club to remain open throughout WWII.
Several big names are expected to grace the Mancunian shale to commemorate this remarkable milestone, as well as a smorgasbord of other motorcycling attractions to be announced soon.
Grand Prix newcomer Cook is set for his eighth season with the Premiership Aces and will defend his title as British No.1 on home shale when the British Final returns to Manchester on June 11.
Director of Speedway Mark Lemon is delighted to kick off the line-up with one of the league’s top riders, a Belle Vue Ace no less, and says he’s excited about how the wider field is shaping up.
He said: “2018 is a momentous year for Belle Vue Speedway celebrating it’s 90th anniversary. On Saturday March 24th we will stage the prestige Peter Craven Memorial meeting at the National Speedway Stadium.
“I’m really excited with how the meeting is coming along. It’ll be a classic 16-rider, 20-heat meeting with a semi-final and a final plus several other exciting motorcycling disciplines will also be featured on the night.
“It is imperative to include riders from this year’s Belle Vue Aces in the line-up and I’m pleased to have Craig Cook in there. He’s one of the league’s best and a rider who ticks all the boxes.
“The field as a whole is a competitive one with lots of flavours of nationalities which I think pays homage to Belle Vue as a club that has, and continues to attract riders from all over the world.”
Tickets for this landmark event will be on sale very soon.
Words: Hayley Bromley.Images: Ian Charles
