Over 2,000 speedway fans are set to converge on Highbridge’s Oaktree Arena tonight (Friday) when Sky Sports broadcasts a top live meeting from the track.

The Premier League Pairs Championship fixture is widely acknowledged in the sport as being one of the highlights on the British speedway calendar.

The Oaktree’s Bill Hancock told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’re hoping to see a big crowd of up to 2,000 speedway fans for this special fixture – and we’re honoured that it will be broadcast live to millions of TV viewers.”

“Coverage like this is great for the Burnham and Highbridge area in terms of publicity and the event is also bringing extra trade into the area with many local guesthouses and B&Bs busier than normal.”

The Premier League Pairs Championship brings together two out of the top three riders from 10 of the 13 clubs which comprise The Premier League.

Somerset team manager and co-promoter Garry May added: “We’re honoured to once again be asked by the British Speedway authorities to stage the Premier League Pairs Championship and on top of it drawing a big crowd to the Oaktree Arena, it will be broadcast live across the globe by Sky, which is not only a big boost for the club, but for the area as a whole.”

“I know that it is said every year, but this year’s Championship is wide open, with no real clear-cut favourites amongst the 10 teams, so it should make for a most exciting meeting, not only for the thousands who normally attend the event each year, but for the countless numbers watching via Sky Sports.”

The Somerset Rebels finally lifted the trophy for the first time in the club’s history last season. On that occasion it was riders Jason Doyle and Josh Grajczonek who made it a perfect night, but with both of them having moved on to pastures new, Somerset will be pinning their hopes of retaining the title through Olly Allen and Nick Morris.

Somerset have been drawn in Group B for the preliminary stages of the meeting, where they will come up against pairs representing Edinburgh, Plymouth, Berwick and Sheffield, whilst Group A comprises Workington, Peterborough, Redcar, Ipswich and Newcastle. The top two sides from each of these groups will progress through to the ‘sudden death’ semi-finals, the winners of which will then meet in the Championship-deciding Grand Final.

Admission for tonight’s event costs: Adults: £20.00, Concessions: £15.00, Juniors (12-16): £5.00, Children (11 & under): Free, Programmes: £4.00, Car Park: £1.00. Turnstiles will open at 5pm and the action begins at 7.00 pm.

 
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