British Under-19 Final preview
PALIN SET TO RETURN FOR BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions’ 17-year-old star Jordan Palin is, subject to a late fitness test, set to return from a fractured collarbone, as he attempts to go two places better than last year and win the British Under-19 Final at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.
The event is excellent value. Both the adult admission price and the concessions price (for OAPs and students) are £2 cheaper than for a Scorpions’ home meeting at the EWR, while there are 20 heats, plus maybe an extra run-off or two, if there is a tie for any of the top three places.
Twelve months ago, Palin, who was just 16 at that point, finished third to Drew Kemp, who successfully defended his title, while Dan Gilkes finished second. All three are back in this year’s meeting, with 19-year old Kemp attempting to become the first rider in the history of the event to win it three times in succession.
Riders must be under 19 at the start of the year to be eligible, which is why Kemp can ride this year and it also explains why Palin be will eligible in both 2022 and 2023.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “I’m delighted to have some of the country’s most promising youngsters at the Eddie Wright Raceway to contest the British Under-19 title.
“It’s the second year running that we’ve ended up hosting this meeting. In the Covid-19 blighted season of 2020, we staged the event a year ago this weekend (Sunday, September 20th) when Drew Kemp was crowned champion.
“By rights, we shouldn’t have been the venue this year but when the original staging at Mildenhall was abandoned last month, it’s ended up back here again.
“Once the Mildenhall promotion revealed they no longer wished to hold it, I stepped in to bring it to Scunthorpe, as this is a prestigious meeting that has been held every year since 2004, when it was the British Under-18 Championship, and it’s important that it was still held this season.
“Our own Jordan Palin, who was third last year, has been named in the field as he plans to make his comeback from his collarbone injury. With the likes of reigning champion Drew Kemp, last year’s runner-up Dan Gilkes, the Thompson twins, Leon Flint and Jason Edwards also in the line-up, we have the makings of a tremendous competition.”
The meeting was originally abandoned after five races at Mildenhall on August 22.
Readmission tickets from that abandonment are not valid on Friday. It is not a shared event, so it’s unlike, for example, the British Final. The original meeting was a Mildenhall Speedway event and Friday’s staging is a Scunthorpe Speedway event, and they are being held under two different ticketing systems.
Mildenhall Speedway were prompt in giving details on their website both after the abandonment and after their decision not to hold the re-staging. The re-admission tickets are valid at any other Mildenhall home meeting this season or, alternatively, should you not be able to return to Mildenhall this season, you may claim a refund. Further details on their website at http://mildenhall-speedway.com.
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe are awaiting to see if they will qualify for the Championship play-offs. Edinburgh finished their fixtures narrowly ahead of Scorpions on race points difference, and Birmingham now need eight points from their remaining three fixtures to pip Scorpions to sixth place. Brummies must defeat Newcastle at home and pick up five points from two visits to Newcastle and Glasgow.
The deadline for the play-offs is September 26 and should Scorpions progress, their first-round leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway is most likely to take place on Friday, October 1.
Expected line-up for tomorrow (Friday):
1. Joe Thompson (Leicester Lions and Leicester Cubs)
2. Ben Trigger (Leicester Cubs)
3. Daniel Gilkes (Kent Kings and Kent Royals)
4. Jason Edwards (Plymouth Gladiators and Mildenhall Fen Tigers)
5. Kai Ward (Leicester Cubs)
6. Dan Thompson (Leicester Lions and Leicester Cubs)
7. Archie Freeman (Newcastle Diamonds and Armadale Devils)
8. Drew Kemp (Ipswich Witches and Edinburgh Monarchs)
9. Kyle Bickley (Berwick Bandits and Berwick Bullets)
10. Elliot Kelly (Mildenhall Fen Tigers)
11. Harry McGurk (Belle Vue Colts)
12. Nathan Ablitt (Mildenhall Fen Tigers)
13. Kyran Lyden (unattached)
14. Jordan Palin (Scunthorpe Scorpions and Peterborough Panthers)
15. Sam McGurk (Belle Vue Colts)
16. Leon Flint (Wolverhampton Wolves and Berwick Bandits)
Reserves: Bailey Fellows and Alex Goldsbrough.
ROLL OF HONOUR
YEAR: VENUE CHAMPION RUNNER-UP THIRD
2004: Wolverhampton 1 Daniel King 2 James Wright 3 Edward Kennett
2005: Wolverhampton 1 William Lawson 2 Lewis Bridger 3 Jack Hargreaves
2006: Wolverhampton 1 Lewis Bridger 2 Tai Woffinden 3 Ben Barker
2007: Wolverhampton 1 Tai Woffinden 2 Lewis Bridger 3 Joe Haines
2008: Scunthorpe 1 Tai Woffinden 2 Josh Auty 3 Jerran Hart
2009: Scunthorpe 1 Jerran Hart 2 Kyle Howarth 3 Kyle Newman
2010: Somerset 1 Brendan Johnson 2 Joe Jacobs 3 Kyle Howarth
2011: Rye House 1 Jason Garrity 2 Shane Hazelden 3 Ben Morley
2012: Sheffield 1 Stefan Nielsen 2 Ashley Morris 3 Joe Jacobs
2013: Coventry 1 Stefan Nielsen 2 Ashley Morris 3 Ben Morley
2014: Kent 1 Oliver Greenwood 2 Josh Bates 3 Jack Kingston
2015: Berwick 1 Josh Bates 2 Max Clegg 3 Danny Phillips
2016: Birmingham 1 Max Clegg 2 Ellis Perks 3 Jack Smith
2017: Plymouth 1 Zach Wajtknecht 2 Dan Bewley 3 Kyle Bickley
2018: Ipswich 1 Dan Bewley 2 Tom Brennan 3 Leon Flint
2019: Redcar 1 Drew Kemp 2 Jason Edwards 3 Anders Rowe
2020: Scunthorpe 1 Drew Kemp 2 Dan Gilkes 3 Jordan Palin
(British Under-18 Championship in 2004-2010, became British Under-19 Championship in 2011).
ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):
Adult: £15.00 (including programme)
Student/OAP: £13.00 (including programme)
Child (10 – 17): £5.00 (not including programme)
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult – not including programme)
Tickets can be obtained in advance online, or they can be purchased (cash only) on the day at the turnstiles.
There is a 3% handling fee for online sales – please note this handing fee goes to the ticketing provider, not the club.
Almost all our COVID restrictions have now been relaxed, although we will keep the same queueing system in the clubhouse, with entry via the small viewing area outside the clubhouse and the exit through the main entrance. Hand sanitiser will still be provided. Please respect others who still wish to practice social distancing and/or wear facemasks.
Tickets are available under the Ticket Office menu on the club website at:
http://scunthorpe-speedway.com/ticketoffice
When you click on the link you will be taken to the following URL:
https://scunthorpescorpionstickets.seatedly.com/
Click on the “buy tickets” tab which will take you a list of meetings and when you have finished, please click on “my basket” tab to complete the transaction.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that readmission tickets from the abandoned meeting at Mildenhall on August 22 are not valid. This is not a shared event and therefore the original meeting was a Mildenhall Speedway event and Friday’s staging is a Scunthorpe Speedway event. Mildenhall Speedway were prompt in giving details on their website after the abandonment and also after their decision not to hold the re-staging. The re-admission tickets are valid at any other Mildenhall home meeting this season or, alternatively, should you not be able to return to Mildenhall this season, you may claim a refund. Further details on their website at http://mildenhall-speedway.com. Thank you.
NOTE REGARDING TICKETS: Please bring your ticket with you – either a physical copy or on your phone. The QR code (the matrix barcode) will be scanned to allow you entry to the stadium – please present to the staff at the entry point at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Please note there is a 3% handling fee for each ticket ordered – this goes to the ticketing provider, not the club. If you have any problems when ordering your tickets, please contact the club (email gail.godfrey@btconnect.com) and we will assist you. Please note that cash admission on the day is also available.
PHOTO: The top three from last season (pic by IAN RISPIN).
