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Legend Ryan to return to the Showground
Ryan Sullivan. Photo supplied
PANTHERS legend Ryan Sullivan is on his way back to the Showground - for one night only.
The Australian is the all-time top Panthers points-scorer and will be back in the city on Monday, March 19 when the curtain goes up on the 2012 season.
He will spearhead a ‘Sullivan’s Seven’ team to face Panthers in their opening night challenge fixture.
Sullivan, now 37, was twice an Elite League winner during a terrific four-spell Panthers career. He scored more than 4,000 points for the club and last rode during the final months of the 2008 campaign following a takeover by current owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney.
He captured honours in 1999 and again in 2006 when involved in a title-deciding final heat 5-1 with Hans Andersen in an unforgettable Grand Final triumph over Reading.
And the opening night opposition will also include reigning world champion Greg Hancock who is making an early-season tour of the UK before launching the defence of his world title in the New Zealand SGP at the end of March. Hancock last raced here for Reading when on the receiving end of that famous 5-1 that clinched the 2006 silverware.
Panthers co-promoter Mahoney said: “It promises to be a great event and we’re particularly pleased to welcome Ryan back to the Showground.
“Ryan was with the Panthers when Rick and I took over in 2008 and was quick to agree to return for our 2012 season opener when we contacted him a couple of weeks ago. He’s very excited about being back and meeting up again with all the supporters.
“It’ll also be great to have Greg on track and welcome him as the new world champion. It’s been a few years since he last rode at the Showground, but he’s always been a popular rider whenever he’s visited in the past and will help provide a good healthy early workout for our 2012 team.”
Sullivan remains a top-class rider in the Polish and Swedish leagues. He is based in Poland these days.
The ‘Sullivan’s Seven’ line-up will also include two Panthers doubling-up riders to ensure that all nine members of the city outfit are in action.
The remaining members of the team will be revealed in due course. A big firework display is also planned for the night.
Season tickets are valid for the meeting with normal admission prices applying.
Supporters can also play their part on opening night as they have the chance to sponsor the visiting riders’ race jackets.
The jackets emblazoned with ‘Sullivan’s Seven’ will be signed and presented to the sponsors by the rider on the centre green at the end of the meeting.
The sponsorship will include entry to the meeting, name in the programme, photograph in the pits with the riders before the meeting and the unique chance to watch heat 15 from the centre green.
Sponsorship is available on a first-come, first-served basis and anyone interested should contact Julie Mahoney at juliem@readypower.co.uk with an offer for their chosen jacket.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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