BEWLEY'S AMERICAN DREAM

Speedway GP star Dan Bewley admits he’s realising a childhood dream as he races in California on February 4.

The Cumbrian crosses the Atlantic to compete Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield as it hosts the USA’s first home international test match in 34 years.

British-born American team manager Steve Evans, also promoter at Kern County, is pitting his side against a Rest of the World side at a venue more accustomed to staging NASCAR action, located just over 100 miles from Los Angeles.

Bewley is the first blockbuster name to be confirmed on the Rest of the World side and the double Speedway GP winner can’t wait to compete in the US.

He tweeted: “Honestly a dream trip for me. I’ve wanted to go since I was a kid but never have! Thanks to everyone who makes it possible! Wish you all a happy New Year!”

USA’s last appearance on home shale came when they competed in the 1988 World Team Cup Final at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, California, finishing second to Denmark.

The American challenge will be led by FIM North American champion Luke Becker, who starred for his country at the FIM Speedway of Nations in Vojens last July.

Evans hopes the blockbuster showdown will give the sport a huge boost stateside in a year when the USA takes a break from the world stage after they fell short of FIM Speedway World Cup qualification, with the next FIM SON set for 2024.

He said: “Since day one at Kern County Raceway, we have wanted to stage ground-breaking events with the aim of taking American speedway to the next level, and this event checks all those boxes.

“The USA team has been the pride of the sport and its fanbase since it was brought back to the forefront at the World Cup in 2012. We have wanted to bring the team to race at home for a long time and here they are.

“It’s fair to say this is very ambitious on our part, but with Team USA not in international overseas competition until 2024, we expect our fans and sponsors to get behind this like never before.”