(SPEEDWAY 1)
COVENTRY and Ipswich star Danny King was crowned British Champion after a stunning ride in the Final at Belle Vue on Monday.King led the qualifiers on 13 points, progressing to the decisive race along with home star Craig Cook, who recovered from a first-ride last place to reel off four straight wins.King selected gate two in the Final, with Cook choosing the inside, and they were joined by teenage star Robert Lambert and another home man Steve Worrall who had come through from the semi-final.Cook led the early stages but King generated speed on the outside and swept around his rival on turns three and four before pulling clear for victory.King’s first national title also saw him secure the Wild Card place for the British Grand Prix at Cardiff next month and he was elated with his success.He said: “I've tried for so many years to win this meeting. I was sort of in the mix but I never really had the edge. Tonight was probably the first time in a long time that I genuinely felt I could win it.“I spoke with my boys about the gate choices and we thought even though gate one might be the favourite we went with two, which was a bit of a gamble, but I knew it would give me more options.“To be British Champion is a dream come true. As a kid it was a meeting I always wanted to win and while the Wild Card is an amazing opportunity, I wanted this trophy more than anything else.”Cook was left to settle for the runners-up spot for the third year in succession, with Lambert on the podium in his debut British Final and Worrall in fourth place. Richard Lawson and Scott Nicholls were the defeated semi-finalists.All competitors deserved great credit for ensuring the meeting ran to a conclusion as rain gradually intensified throughout the meeting.The drainage system at the National Speedway Stadium had worked superbly to contain the heavy downpours of the weekend and on the day of the meeting, meaning racing was not in doubt and got underway at the scheduled start-time.(SPEEDWAY 2)
LEICESTER have moved to sign Swedish racer Ludvig Lindgren as a replacement for Davey Watt – who leaves after just six appearances.The 25-year-old impressed Lions bosses during his guest performance against Swindon earlier this month and will now double-up with the Midlands outfit, subject to BSPA approval, whilst continuing to ride for Newcastle in the Premier League.Team manager Norrie Allan said: “I really thought that the move to Leicester would help Davey reignite his passion and desire once again. “Sadly for us and Davey it has not happened and as much as we wanted to give him time to rediscover heat-leader form it just hasn’t worked out for either party.“I was pleased with Ludvig’s commitment and general all-round approach to the match against Swindon; he weighed up the track in an instant and found the best racing lines.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
CRADLEY needed a last heat decider to edge through to the next round of the National League Knockout Cup with a 46-42 win over Buxton.The Heathens fought back from eight points down to secure back-to-back, last-gasp 5-1's to edge a dramatic encounter at Monmore Green.Max Clegg and Ashley Morris were the Heat 15 heroes once again as the Heathens wrapped up a 90-86 aggregate victory, the former scoring a 15-point maximum.Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “We made hard work of it at times but we're through and that's all that matters.“We threw some silly points away at times and we should have had it wrapped up way before we did.“We were hit with rain just minutes before the meeting was due to start and the conditions proved tricky for a couple of the lads.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
PETERBOROUGH promoter Ged Rathbone is backing his boys to bag another important home triumph to return to the top of the Premier League tonight.The Panthers continue a run of three successive East of England Showground meetings when entertaining Workington – which means an appearance in opposition colours for regular Peterborough guest Kenneth Hansen.Rathbone said: “We have been in terrific form at home lately and long may that continue.“Winning speedway meetings is a great habit to be in and the manner in which we have been doing it has really pleased me.“The standard of racing we’ve been treated to in recent meetings at the Showground has also been fantastic. It has been breath-taking stuff at times and I’m sure there will be plenty more of the same to come as I’m expecting another cracker tonight against a very good Workington team.”Meanwhile the Isle of Wight host Mildenhall in the Travel Plus National League as the Warriors again switch to Tuesday racing.The home side give a debut to recent signing Nick Phillips but have to use rider-replacement for Mark Baseby who has not recovered sufficiently from a heavy crash last week which left him with a damaged coccyx, various deep bruising all over his body and an element of whiplash.
(FIXTURES)
TUESDAY JUNE 14:PREMIER LEAGUE: Peterborough v Workington OFFTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Mildenhall 7pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15:TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 16:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Sheffield v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 17:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 7.30, Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Plymouth 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset Rebels Select v National League Select 7.30
ENDS
