Jetting around the world to defend his New Zealand Speedway title doesn't faze Englishman Jason Bunyan – he's done it five times already.
Bunyan, who hails from Milton Keynes in the UK, has his sights firmly set on adding a seventh title to his already impressive haul when the Calder Stewart Roofing New Zealand Solo Championship takes place at Oreti Park, near Invercargill, on Saturday (February 27).
“It's a long way to come and get second so you can bet Jason will be at full throttle,” Oreti Park Speedway solo representative Gloria Miller said.
“But there's a very strong field of riders between him and that silverware ... it's going to be fantastic racing.”
The leading rider for the Stoke team in the UK's professional speedway ranks, Bunyan, 30, was a finalist in the British Championships last year and has previously won the British Pairs Championship.
But in his quest to secure 1NZ status for the 7th time, Bunyan will have to contend with Oreti Park's own Grant Tregoning, who has proved virtually unbeatable on home turf this season.
Along with the Burt Munro and South Island solo crowns, Tregoning also won his fourth consecutive Brian Reed Memorial title just two weeks ago.
“Grant really is the King of Oreti. He's heading back to the UK to race professionally after the NZ Champs so this is the last time for fans here to see him in action this season and I'm sure he won't disappoint,” Miller said.
New Zealand U21 champion Dale Finch, of Christchurch, also rates as a top contender, while his Moore Park club-mates veteran Larry Ross, the current 3NZ, and young gun Andy Aldridge are no strangers to podium finishes themselves.
Another “wily old dog” Sean Cox, of Nelson, is expected to perform strongly, along with a host of talented local riders like Neil McIntyre, Paul Hayes, Alex Cunningham and James Miller.
The Malcolm Officer Memorial Trophy will also be contested on Saturday with nine sidecar combinations vying for the title, while the Solo Classics and Junior Solo fields will provide exciting support class action.
