Luke Harrison is British U19 Champion

LUKE HARRISON WINS BRITISH UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP, AFTER THREE-MAN RUN-OFF AT WORKINGTON

LUKE HARRISON, the 18-year-old star of the Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions, won the British Under-19 Championship at Workington yesterday afternoon (Saturday).

In one of the most thrilling meetings in British Speedway this season, Harrison finished on 12 points, level with Jody Scott and Cooper Rushen, leading to a three-rider run-off for first place. Harrison made the fastest start from gate two and led the way, while Scott won a battle for second place with Rushen.

Local lad Harrison rides for both Scunthorpe teams, the Scorpions in the Cab Direct Championship and the Steelers in the National League. Steelers’ team-mates Vinnie Foord and Jamie Etherington scored 10 and 2 points respectively and the unlucky Foord could have won the meeting, but for a lost chain while leading his last outing.

Harrison won Heat 1, but dropped two points while he trailed third behind Foord and William Cairns in Heat 5. He finished second in Heat 9, after overtaking Ben Trigger with a lap remaining. After 12 races, Harrison was on six points, while meeting leaders Scott and Cairns were on eight.

Harrison quickly took control of Heat 13, and he went into his final outing on nine points, one point behind Scott and Foord. He defeated Scott in Heat 17, as both finished on a dozen points. Foord then suffered his moment of misfortunate in an incident-packed Heat 19, while Rushen beat Cairns in Heat 20 to also book his place in the three-man run-off.

Luke Harrison said: “After my third ride, when I’d dropped three points, I thought I was out of contention. There’s no final, it’s highest scorer wins.

“I just started riding for fun like normal. But then after all five rides, I ended up in a run-off for first place. At that point, I switched back on a bit, and then managed to win the race-off. Luckily I had my gating boots on and I got out of the gate first.

“I finished third in the Under-21s at Glasgow earlier this season and second in the Under-19s at Oxford last season, so it was good to win the meeting today.

“It’s no secret that it’s been a tough year for the Scunthorpe Scorpions this season and it’s nice to have a trophy that I can take back to the Scunthorpe fans and cheer a few people up.

“It’s been a successful year for me. My scores in the Cab Direct Championship have increased significantly, I got a job in the Premiership halfway throughout the season, and I’ve finished third in the British Under-21 and now first in the British Under-19, as well as representing Great Britain in the Speedway Of Nations 2 in Poland.

“I’ve just one meeting left tomorrow (Sunday) riding for Steelers at Belle Vue. I’ve finished the season on a high, ready to get going again next season.

“A big thank you to all my sponsors and everyone who has supported me throughout this season.”

SCORES: Luke Harrison 12, Jody Scott 12, Cooper Rushen 12, Will Cairns 11, Vinnie Foord 10, Jordy Loftus 10, Ace Pijper 10, Max Perry 8, Freddy Hodder 7, Ben Trigger 7, Ryan Ingram 7, Stene Pijper 4, Harry Fletcher 4, Ashton Vale 2, Jamie Etherington 2, Charlie Southwick 1.

RUN-OFF FOR TITLE: Harrison, Scott, Rushen.

* STEELERS – the joint National League side for Scunthorpe and Sheffield – complete their season at Belle Vue this afternoon (Sunday). Steelers drew 45-45 in their final home meeting with Leicester at Sheffield last Wednesday, before losing out in the subsequent Super Heat.

PHOTO by Dave Payne