Newman labels testimonial 'a great honour' as season set to kick off at Poole

Poole Pirates favourite Kyle Newman’s testimonial meeting is now set to kick off British speedway’s schedule in 2024.

The event, held in honour of the 32-year-old, will now take place at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, March 13.

Newman is set to celebrate a career which has seen him race for Pirates in a total of six seasons, across three different spells.

He rode for the Poole last year but has joined Plymouth in the SGB Championship for the 2024 campaign.

Posting on his official Facebook page, Newman said: “It’s a great honour to have a testimonial and especially one to have at Poole Speedway.

“I know this year I’m part of the opposition as such, but I’ve always had a great connection with everything Poole, the fans and the sponsors so it seemed fitting to have it there as agreed with Matt and Dan (Ford) last season.

“Hopefully, we can get some travelling support from my team this year Plymouth Gladiators Speedway and many others from teams in the past I’ve ridden for.”

??? PRESS & PRACTICE DATE CONFIRMED

?? Our annual Press & Practice Day will be held on Wednesday 27th March, just 48 hours before our crunch Good Friday clash with Oxford!

? Sponsors and Season Ticket holders are invited to attend the event from 3pm

??? Accredited members of… pic.twitter.com/L5wF6g2vMN

— Poole Pirates Speedway (@poolespeedway) January 2, 2024

Speaking about Newman’s big night, Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “The Sports Insure Premiership will be staging their launch date at Belle Vue on the 20th, the original date we had offered to Kyle.

“And so to maximise the availability of riders for Kyle to choose from we have acted swiftly and brought his big meeting forward by seven days and that will signify the start of the 2024 British Speedway season."

Pirates have also announced their annual press and practice day will take place at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, March 27.

Poole will start the defence of their BSN Series crown with a home clash against Oxford on March 29.

(Picture: Taylor Lanning Photography)