Speedway
World Champion set for Brandon return

Buy photos » Edward Kennett and Chris Harris will both be riding at the Brandonapolis event in March. Photo by Jeff Davies (s)

WORLD Champion and popular former Bees rider Greg Hancock will return to Brandon in March for the season-opening Brandonapolis event.

The 41-year-old American star secured one of the most popular title wins in the sport’s history last year in finishing top of the Grand Prix standings an incredible 14 years after lifting his first world crown.

He spent five years with the Bees between 1997 and 2001 and remains a club asset, but after subsequent spells with Oxford and Reading he has not raced regularly in the UK since 2007.

However Hancock, who currently races in Sweden, will ride at Brandon for the season warm-up event on March 16 as he and several other of the sport's big names prepare for the first Grand Prix of the season in New Zealand on March 31.

"Greg is on holiday at the moment but I was delighted when he got in touch at the weekend to confirm he’ll be here on our opening night," said Coventry promoter Colin Pratt, who first brought Hancock to the UK with Cradley Heath back in 1989.

"We were always keen to see him racing at Coventry again, especially after he won the World Championship last year which was a remarkable achievement, and I know he’s still really popular with our supporters.

"The meeting is coming together very nicely and we have other invites out which are going to make it a really strong line-up and a great way to start the season."

Former Coventry favourite Rory Schlein, who won the Diamond Jubilee Brandonapolis in 2007, will also compete this year along with Polish star Sebastian Ulamek, who was a popular mid-season signing for the Bees in 2005 when they lifted the Elite League title.

Triple World Champion Nicki Pedersen is also a confirmed starter along with Wolverhampton number one Freddie Lindgren, who is consistently the most exciting visitor to Brandon in league racing over recent years.

The home challenge, meanwhile, will come from Coventry’s own top four riders – Chris Harris, Edward Kennett, Scott Nicholls and Kenni Larsen.

Elsewhere, Bees are holding quiz night in the bar at Brandon tomorrow (Friday). Supporters are asked to arrive at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and admission is £2 per person with teams of four or five invited.