SENSATIONAL skipper Brady Kurtz is the latest to give his seal of approval to Belle Vue’s prestigious season opener, the Peter Craven Memorial, on March 20 at the National Speedway Stadium.
And his 2023 ATPI Aces team mate Norick Blodorn will also take to the track, along with Poland’s 2022 Premiership Grand finalist, Sheffield’s Tobiasz Musielak as the world class field continues to grow.
Already confirmed for the big night are Speedway Grand Prix regulars Freddie Lindgren and Max Fricke, and former world stars Matej Zagar and Krzysztof Kasprzak.
Reigning Craven champion Michael Palm Toft returns to defend his crown, with 2023 ATPI Aces Jaimon Lidsey, Tom Brennan and Charles Wright also in the mix as contenders.
Kurtz led by example to captain his team to Premiership victory in 2022 and is already targeting the retention of Belle Vue’s Premiership league title into the new campaign.
Blodorn, who made his British debut last season, is also keen to build on success, and was part of the young duo, along with Brennan, to push the ATPI Aces across the line to their 2022 league title.
Sheffield star Musielak will no doubt be seeking a revenge performance for his Yorkshire fans after the Tigers finished runners up in last season’s Premiership League Grand Final to Belle Vue.
With excitement building and race day a mere 19 days away, Belle Vue CEO Mark Lemon can feel the pre-season anticipation increasing.
He said: “Supporters always have great expectations of the Peter Craven Memorial and the feedback we’ve had on the field so far has been very positive.
“As a club, we of course want to see as many of our current Belle Vue team as possible and both Brady and Norick are very popular with our fanbase.
“Brady is an inspirational captain and a fantastic team man but when it comes to individual events, he’s a strong competitor who exciting style always has us on the edge of our seats.
“Norick, too, has been very warmly welcomed to Belle Vue and it was our privilege to see how he matured throughout last season, and I’ve no doubt he could prove a spoiler in this meeting.
“And Toby is a real trier with exceptional skill and I feel strongly that he has point to prove after last year, and he is a very talented and a determined racer.
“With the level of talent on display on March 20, I feel that this could be one of the closest Peter Craven Memorial’s we’ve ever seen. There’s no out-and-out favourite, it really is anyone’s.”
The 28th staging of the Peter Craven Memorial takes place Monday, March 20th at 7:30pm. Meeting tickets are now available to purchase online at bellevue-speedway.com.
Image: L-R: Brady Kurtz, Tobiasz Musielak, Norick Blödorn