Speedway stars to put their legs to the test in memory of former Mildenhall Fen Tigers star Danny Ayres

Speedway stars past and present will put their legs to the test on Saturday when taking part in a fundraising cycle ride in memory of former Mildenhall Fen Tigers star Danny Ayres.

The group, which includes current Fen Tigers riders Ryan Kinsley and Sam Bebee, will join together with friends of Ayres, who died suddenly last month, and cycle from Mildenhall Stadium in West Row to the Adrian Flux Arena in King’s Lynn to raise money for his family. They will set off from Mildenhall at 8am.

Helping organise the event, which coincides with the opening day of the Dirt Track Show being staged at the Norfolk stadium, is retired rider Luke Bowen who rode alongside Ayres during the 2016 National League campaign for the Kent Kings.

“It was tragic what happened to Danny,” said Bowen. “When we rode together and we just bonded straight away as we both liked to entertain the fans and we bounced off each other.

“We are all gutted with his loss as he was a lovely lad and this is the least of the things we can do for his family.

“Karl Rushen who is organising the Dirt Track Show got in touch and suggested about riding from Rye House to King’s Lynn but a few might have struggled with that so we decided to do it from Mildenhall Stadium what with Danny being a former Fen Tigers rider.

“We will all be kitted out in special t-shirts and will be wearing pink socks and gloves as that was Danny’s favourite colour to help make the event special.”

With most of those taking part in the event more used to horse power opposed to pedal power Bowen hopes that weather is kind to help them complete the challenge in good time.

“The route we are going we hope to complete in around three hours but we might have a pit stop at a pub as I imagine a few might be blowing a bit at half way,” said Bowen.

“It is not a race and we will all be there to help each other. The route is pretty much flat roads but hopefully it won’t rain or be too windy out there.”

With more than £800 already donated Bowen is hoping that with one final push the group can reach the £1000 target they have set themselves by the time they finish the ride with a lap of track which is home to Premiership outfit King’s Lynn Stars.

“The target is £1000 and anything that is donated is something towards however big or small,” said Bowen.

“People have been really generous with their support and we have nearly reached it and I know a few doing the ride have collected some more sponsorship.

“It has been really overwhelming but this sort of support shows just what the speedway family is like and I don’t think there is another sport like it.”

To donate search for Bowen’s tribute to Danny Ayres at gofundme.com.