mudflaps 664 Posted February 19, 2013 Tuesday 19th February 2013, 01:30 New Zealand champion Jason Bunyan will tackle world speedway’s elite once again at Western Springs on March 23 after being handed the 2013 Buckley Systems New Zealand FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild card. Bunyan, who lined up in last season’s inaugural Grand Prix in Auckland, has lifted the NZ title eight times since 2004 and spends the European off-season racing in the land of the long white cloud. He collected his latest title at North Island track Rosebank last month with a 15-point maximum – putting him one short of Kiwi legend Larry Ross’ record haul of nine championships between 1976 and 1990. The 33-year-old dons the No.16 race jacket for what will be the opening round of the 2013 SGP series. Bunyan is joined in the meeting by NZ Championship runner-up Dale Finch and third-placed Sean Mason. They will serve as track reserves and take to the shale if any of the 16 riders in the main field are forced to miss a race through injury, illness or other reasons. Mason wears the No.17 race jacket and Finch is No.18. www.speedwaysgp.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted February 19, 2013 Tuesday 19th February 2013, 01:30 New Zealand champion Jason Bunyan will tackle world speedway’s elite once again at Western Springs on March 23 after being handed the 2013 Buckley Systems New Zealand FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild card. Bunyan, who lined up in last season’s inaugural Grand Prix in Auckland, has lifted the NZ title eight times since 2004 and spends the European off-season racing in the land of the long white cloud. He collected his latest title at North Island track Rosebank last month with a 15-point maximum – putting him one short of Kiwi legend Larry Ross’ record haul of nine championships between 1976 and 1990. The 33-year-old dons the No.16 race jacket for what will be the opening round of the 2013 SGP series. Bunyan is joined in the meeting by NZ Championship runner-up Dale Finch and third-placed Sean Mason. They will serve as track reserves and take to the shale if any of the 16 riders in the main field are forced to miss a race through injury, illness or other reasons. Mason wears the No.17 race jacket and Finch is No.18. www.speedwaysgp.com Must admit I was shocked at Jason being the NZ wildcard last year, but he didn't do too bad, and the alternative would have been to fly out someone for possibly only one round. This would have been unfair IMO and a logistic problem was solved. By including Jason again as the WC it solves a problem, and gives NZ speedway a boost and publicity by having a regular NZ champion representing them instead of inferior riders. Hope he goes well and rewards the NZ fans. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blazeaway 1,501 Posted February 22, 2013 Must admit I was shocked at Jason being the NZ wildcard last year, but he didn't do too bad, and the alternative would have been to fly out someone for possibly only one round. This would have been unfair IMO and a logistic problem was solved. By including Jason again as the WC it solves a problem, and gives NZ speedway a boost and publicity by having a regular NZ champion representing them instead of inferior riders. Hope he goes well and rewards the NZ fans. But all the riders are being flown out for "one round". Bunyans inclusion in my opinion does nothing for the credibility of the GP series. Batch would have been a far better choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bolly 96 Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) But all the riders are being flown out for "one round". Bunyans inclusion in my opinion does nothing for the credibility of the GP series. Batch would have been a far better choice. At least Jason is a decent advert for Speedway and as close as the Kiwis have to a local champion to cheer on, 7 or 8 times NZ champion and was not totally embarrassed in such company last year. Maybe Batch can have Wards place in the GP ?? Dependant on any future fall out from his latest antics. I for one will be following Jasons progress with interest and pride that he represents NZ and the ROCKETS at this meeting. Good Luck 'Bunny' for the GP and the season ahead. Edited February 22, 2013 by bolly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Skid 425 Posted February 22, 2013 But all the riders are being flown out for "one round". Bunyans inclusion in my opinion does nothing for the credibility of the GP series. Batch would have been a far better choice. An Ozzie representing NZ, you just don't understand what Sport means in this part of the World, you'd no doubt have Gollob riding for GB as he only lives a couple of hours away. The UK- a land where anyone in the World can come and ponce off the State. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Najjer 2,890 Posted February 22, 2013 An Ozzie representing NZ, you just don't understand what Sport means in this part of the World, you'd no doubt have Gollob riding for GB as he only lives a couple of hours away. The UK- a land where anyone in the World can come and ponce off the State. Who said anything about representing NZ? Didn't Ward ride a round at Torun last year as a wildcard, and Vaculik took a wildcard somewhere too from memory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Skid 425 Posted February 22, 2013 So your saying it's ok to have a Pole or Aussie as wildcard at cardiff? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blazeaway 1,501 Posted February 22, 2013 So your saying it's ok to have a Pole or Aussie as wildcard at cardiff? Would be fine by me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Najjer 2,890 Posted February 22, 2013 So your saying it's ok to have a Pole or Aussie as wildcard at cardiff? Wouldn't bother me - They'd more than likely put as good as, if not better, showing than any Brit would. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the muck man 11 Posted February 25, 2013 Give the kid a break,the past is just that, we arent all angels are we, lets judge him on his riding ability, which is exciting to watch.. Chopper I am a Newcastle fan but can't wait to see Tyson Nelson raceing in premier league again pity there isn't more like him give 110% every race great entertainment Give the kid a break,the past is just that, we arent all angels are we, lets judge him on his riding ability, which is exciting to watch.. Chopper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan_Jones 1,005 Posted February 25, 2013 Press & Practice is on Tuesday 26th March @ 11. http://ryehouserockets.co/news.php?extend.504 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odds On 373 Posted February 26, 2013 But all the riders are being flown out for "one round". Bunyans inclusion in my opinion does nothing for the credibility of the GP series. Batch would have been a far better choice. and remind me, what credentials does "Batch" have for being a NZ GP wildcard?....just wondering like!...if it's because he's the Aussie Chump then Scott Hicholls has just as much credential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted February 27, 2013 So your saying it's ok to have a Pole or Aussie as wildcard at cardiff? fine, lets have a Welshman then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Skid 425 Posted February 27, 2013 They've got enough problems putting together a Rugby team at present without trying to find a speedway rider. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bolly 96 Posted March 2, 2013 The season starts next week, and we still have a month before our first meeting at Rye House ((( Bored bored bored Share this post Link to post Share on other sites