SHEFFIELD promoter Neil Machin says his club remains proud to be the staging venue for the Premier League Riders’ Championship.

The event is one of the most popular and well-attended on the domestic calendar, with each of the league’s clubs represented on Sunday (5pm).

Shane Parker and Ricky Ashworth carry home hopes and both have a realistic chance of standing on top of the podium at the end of the meeting.

Ashworth is already a previous winner, from 2009, whilst Parker has enjoyed a tremendous first season at Owlerton, which will be his last in the sport.

Ashworth and Parker are unlikely to have things all their own way, though, with star names such as Ben Barker, Jason Doyle, Joe Screen and Charlie Gjedde in the line-up.

Barker, in fact, is chasing the first half of a unique double, because after a stunning season in both leagues, he represents Plymouth on Sunday and will also be called-up to the Elite League Riders’ Championship at Swindon next month for his top-flight club Birmingham.

Machin said: “It is always with great pride that our colleagues have sufficient confidence to nominate Sheffield as the venue for what has become the plum event in the Premier League speedway calendar, and a tremendous recommendation for the vast years of experience of our key personnel at Owlerton.

“Every rider has worked all season to qualify for this meeting and represent their team, and it is every rider’s dream to enter the record books as the champion – just ask previous winners.”

PLRC DRAW – Sunday, 5pm: Jason Doyle (Newport), Ben Barker (Plymouth), Aaron Summers (Redcar), Shane Parker (Sheffield), Kevin Wolbert (Edinburgh), Charlie Gjedde (Newport), Mark Lemon (Newcastle), Sebastian Alden (Berwick), Sam Masters (Somerset), Kauko Nieminen (Leicester), Rusty Harrison (Workington), Kevin Doolan (Ipswich), Joe Screen (Glasgow), Ben Wilson Scunthorpe), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Jordan Frampton (Rye House).