Speedway GP star Dan Bewley insists making history will not be on his mind as he goes for a record-equalling fourth straight British Championship in Manchester on Monday night.
Bewley is joined in the high-stakes British Final by world No.2 Robert Lambert, and the highest-finishing rider outside of the SGP pair will earn the wild card for both nights of the ATPI FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Manchester double-header on June 13 and 14.
The likes of 2024 Cardiff wild card Tom Brennan, former British champions Adam Ellis, Chris Harris, Danny King, Charles Wright and Craig Cook are all in contention along with former runner-up Steve Worrall and former GB SON2 stars Anders Rowe, Leon Flint, Dan Thompson and Drew Kemp.
Bewley could match the four in a row won by New Zealand legend Barry Briggs from 1964 to 1967. But the world No.4 is rarely one to focus on the sport’s history books as he looks forward to a huge night at the National Speedway Stadium, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
He told Speedway Star: “I actually didn’t know that was a record. Obviously, it would be cool to equal it. It’s always a good meeting, a good crowd. I just go to enjoy it, and I don’t really think about anything else or records to break.
“I’ve only ever missed one British Final and that was during the Covid year. For me it has always been pretty special. I remember getting my first podium behind Robert, finishing second in 2018.
“I even remember further back, in 2017, when Cookie (Craig Cook) won it, and Stevie Worrall finished runner-up. I’ve always seen it as a big meeting.”
Belle Vue CEO Mark Lemon is looking forward to the first of three huge nights of racing in one month at the National Speedway Stadium. He added: “This is proudly our 10th year of hosting the British Championship Final.
“Right from the off in 2016, the meeting has provided drama and outstanding racing. Danny King produced the goods in the first one, blasting around the boards in the rain.
“Since then, Craig Cook, Robert Lambert, Rory Schlein, Charles Wright, Adam Ellis and Dan Bewley have taken the spoils. Schlein’s win in 2020 was one of only a few meetings held at all in the UK during the pandemic.
“Our own Belle Vue superstar Bewley is going for a historic fourth successive title. It would be somewhat poetic if he could achieve that considering his speedway career actually started here at the NSS with the Colts when we opened in 2016.
“The National Speedway Stadium will then host its biggest-ever events, with two ATPI FIM Speedway GPs of Great Britain on June 13 and 14. We are very proud to be hosting such fabulous events.”