New Spires’ signing Peter Kildemand to make Cowley debut at Bonanza

DOUBLE Grand Prix winner Peter Kildemand has become the fourth member of the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires to be confirmed for the season-opening Ben Fund Bonanza at Oxford Stadium a week on Sunday (March 23) at 6pm.

Edinburgh’s Justin Sedgmen has also been added to the line-up, with 14 out of the 16 competitors now announced.

Danish star Kildemand joins Spires’ team-mates Maciej Janowski, Charles Wright and Erik Riss in the line-up, while skipper Sam Masters will be representing the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies.

An impressive line-up is headed by three 2025 Grand Prix riders – current World No 3 Freddie Lindgren, 2017 World Champion Jason Doyle, and Max Fricke.

Tickets are on sale for the Bonanza on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Cost of entry is £25 for all categories of admission, but with under-16s admitted free if accompanied by an adult.

Sandy Lane is hosting the 15th staging of the annual event, which raises money for both long-term and short-term injured riders via the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.

The all-action Kildemand returns to British Speedway after a seven year gap since he rode as a Poole Pirate in 2018. He was a popular figure at sadly-defunct Swindon, helping Robins to their first league championship in 45 seasons in 2012.

The Bonanza will give Kildemand a competitive meeting around the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium, before Spires entertain the King’s Lynn Stars in Knockout Cup action at Cowley on Thursday, March 27 at 7.30pm.

The 35-year-old says: “I haven’t used the Ben Fund before, luckily I would say, but I know what it does and I am so glad I can be in the Bonanza meeting to raise some money for the riders who are injured. I’m glad to be in it.

“I’ve never ridden Oxford before because they weren’t in the league when I was previously riding in England. But it looks like a cool track and I’m looking forward to riding for the club.”

Kildemand won his home Danish Grand Prix in 2015 and also won the Slovenian Grand Prix in 2016. He finished ninth in the world in 2015 and helped Denmark to victory in the Speedway World Cup in 2014.

He still hasn’t ruled returning to the world’s elite. He added: “It’s tough, you want to be at the best level you can but also I know what it takes to be at that level. If it happens then that’s good but it may not come right away. We will see where things go.

“I still have the same riding style but of course being a bit older I am hopefully a bit smarter now. When I’m on the bike I will always give 110%.”

Edinburgh No 1 Justin Sedgmen has particular cause to be grateful to the SRBF after the way 2024 finished for him. The Australian said: “The Ben Fund for me personally last year basically took all the pressure off after what happened to me. I had a crash and then three weeks later I had another crash. Instead of going through all the rigmarole of filling out forms again, they knew that I had wanted to come back and race – I didn’t want to finish the season on the sidelines. I did just three more races.

“They continued their help straight away and basically continued on what they were already doing. I had an operation and they helped towards paying for that. So as soon as I knew that I was going to be in the country on time, I wanted to do the meeting.”

A fund raiser at the Wheatley New Club last Friday raised over £400 for the Ben Fund – the Race Evening and Social Night was organised by Oxford supporter Neil Ramsden.

Oxford Speedway is holding its annual pre-season Press and Practice Day next Wednesday (March 19). Sponsors and season pass holders can arrive from midday, while the general public are welcome to attend from 5.30pm. The press will be carrying out interviews and taking photos behind closed doors from 10am.

Ben Fund Bonanza line-up so far:

Maciej Janowski (Oxford Spires)

Charles Wright (Oxford Spires and Redcar)

Erik Riss (Oxford Spires and Redcar)

Peter Kildemand (Oxford Spires and Berwick)

Sam Masters (Oxford Cheetahs and Leicester)

Freddie Lindgren (unattached)

Jason Doyle (Ipswich)

Max Fricke (Leicester)

Danny King (Ipswich and Redcar)

Tom Brennan (Ipswich)

Tobiasz Musielak (Birmingham)

Adam Ellis (Ipswich)

Lewis Kerr (Poole)

Justin Sedgmen (Edinburgh)

PHOTO: Peter Kildemand in Swindon colours (pic: Les Aubrey)