DOYLE SET FOR BEN FUND BONANZA AT OXFORD

Aussie international Jason Doyle hailed the support he received from the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund during an injury-ravaged 2024 season after confirming his place in this year’s Ben Fund Bonanza line-up.

The 2017 Speedway GP world champion will compete in the event at Oxford on March 23 (6pm start). The meeting raises vital cash for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund, which supports stars of the shale temporarily or permanently sidelined due to speedway crashes.

Even the sport’s biggest names benefit, including Ipswich rider Doyle, whose 2024 season was ended when he suffered a torn rotator cuff in a crash during a Rowe Motor Oil Premiership match at King’s Lynn in May.

The Newcastle-born racer was keen to repay the Ben Fund for its support and joins former British champion Charles Wright in the line-up for one of the opening events of the European season and insists nothing could have stopped him from signing up.

Doyle said: “I owe the Ben Fund for what they did for me last season when I was injured. Previously it has been difficult (to take part) due to the early season Polish fixtures, but no matter what there is this season, I will be riding. 

"Everyone has to understand what a great thing the Ben Fund is for the riders. I didn’t expect as much support as they gave me, it would have been a tough time. I had to return money (to 2024 club Grudziadz) in Poland due to crashing elsewhere. I had no income and there were costs to the treatment, so the support was absolutely vital. All my injuries are pretty much okay now and I am back to normal. It has been a long couple of months completing the recovery.”