NGK-sponsored Bewley victorious in Cardiff

NGK-sponsored Speedway star Dan Bewley has ended Britain’s fifteen-year wait for a home winner of the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain by powering to victory at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The 23-year-old stormed to his first-ever SGP win ahead of Speedway GP World Championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik and fellow Polish star Patryk Dudek, with Leon Madsen taking fourth place.

Competing in his first Speedway GP season, Bewley made a lightning start in the biggest race of his life to top the podium in Cardiff’s 20th-anniversary SGP event in front of the adoring home audience which included NGK customers and fans.

Galaxy of Speedway GP stars

The crowd also included a galaxy of Speedway GP stars as previous Cardiff winners including former world champions Tony Rickardsson, Greg Hancock, Jason Crump and Chris Holder watched on from trackside, along with Britain’s 2007 FIM British Speedway GP winner Chris Harris.

Commenting on the official Speedway GP website, he said: “It was pretty crazy. It was only the last lap of the final where I really noticed the crowd.

“I could hear them for the last couple of laps and it was pretty cool. You have to remain focused and not let the bike get ahead of you on these tracks. I was just thinking ‘we’re here, we’re here – don’t throw it away. “It all worked out well. I stayed cool and this gives me a taste of what it’s like to win. It only makes me want to have more wins now.

“People were saying about the pressure, but I feel good under pressure. I feel like you have to earn pressure. If you have pressure on you, it’s a good thing. You don’t get it for no reason.”

A night to remember

John Money, who handles Speedway sponsorship on behalf of NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: ”It was a fantastic achievement by Dan to win his first-ever SGP in front of the ecstatic British crowd. It was a brilliant night that will be remembered for years by the thousands of Speedway fans at the stadium and watching at home on Eurosport.”

Having followed in Woffinden’s footsteps in becoming a Speedway GP star, Bewley hopes he can now lead a new generation of Brits on to the world stage.

Next up is the Betard FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw on Saturday 27 August.