Stead testimonial line-up starts to build (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON ROBINS: Stead testimonial line-up starts to build

6:00am Thursday 14th June 2012 in Speedway By Andy Warren

SIMON Stead is confident his testimonial at Blunsdon will be a meeting to remember.

Matej Zagar, Olly Allen and Joe Screen became the first names to sign up for the meeting on August 16 earlier this week, and Stead is on the verge of being able to reveal further riders in the near future.

The meeting will take on a format similar to a Grand Prix meeting, and Stead is happy with the way the field is shaping up.

“There are a few that we are negotiating with that hopefully we can finish in the near future, and hopefully people will be excited by them, “ he said.

“We have tried to get some riders that people do not see every week in British speedway, but it has been difficult because people do not know when meetings will be rearranged for because of the weather.

“I would also like some of the current Robins to be involved in the meeting, and I am sure the field will be a strong one and it will be a competitive meeting.

“It would be brilliant if I could win the meeting because I have family and friends coming over from Australia for it.”

Stead is particularly looking forward to going head to head with Zagar once again, after the pair engaged in fierce competition when they were both riding in the Premier League.

“When Matej first came over here we enjoyed a pretty intense rivalry because at the time we were the top two riders in the Premier League averages,” he said.

“It was really good competition because we were both fighting it out pretty hard, but then he came over to Swindon and we got on really well, and we have been friends and stayed in contact.

“He is not based in England so will be needing to bring over all of his equipment especially for the meeting, which I really appreciate because it is a big effort for him.”

Both Allen and Screen have been regulars in the British leagues for years, and Stead is happy to have been able to include his two close friends in the meeting.

“I have been mates with Olly since we were in the juniors and grasstrack together, and we raced each other in 125s as well.

“Screeny is someone I have known for years and he helped me a lot when I was younger, and I am very happy he is going to be involved.

“On his day he can still beat the best riders in the world, and he is an entertaining rider to watch.”

Sponsorship packages are still available for the meeting, and anyone interested in doing so can contact Simon via email at simonsteadtestimonial@hotmail.co.uk.