British Semi-Final preview
HUGE NIGHT AHEAD AT THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY
SCUNTHORPE Speedway proudly stages its biggest event in five years at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm).
The British Semi-Final is a top-class 20-heat individual, which will see 16 riders going at it hammer and tongs, with just the top seven guaranteed a place in the British Final at Belle Vue in Manchester on June 13.
There are two semi-finals, at Scunthorpe on Friday and Glasgow on Sunday. While there is a good spread of riders between the two meetings, the affair at the Eddie Wright Raceway does look the slightly tougher and more competitive of the two meetings.
A top quality line-up at Scunthorpe is headed by Grand Prix star Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris, a three times British Champion. His main opposition is likely to come from the likes of teenage sensation Robert Lambert, who could line-up alongside Harris in this summer’s World Cup; Sheffield Tigers’ No 1 Simon Stead, who heads a list of no less than five Tigers; and Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions’ own No 1 Josh Auty.
A measure of the quality of the line-up is nine out of the 16 riders have won a British title at some stage of their career, whether at Under-15, Under-19, Under-21 or senior level.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’re very proud to be staging this event.
“We pride ourselves at having one of the best racetracks, if not the best racetrack, in the country. If you look down the line-up for Friday, it’s noticeable how many of the line-up have a reputation for being racers. It’s quite often the way with the British riders for some reason – they’re not renowned as fast starters, but rather as out-and-out racers.
“I think the combination between track and participants on Friday is going to provide some spectacular entertainment, as the riders battle for the seven places on offer for the final.
“It’s five years since we last saw Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris in action around the Eddie Wright Raceway. He’s one of the most thrilling riders in the sport, and I hope he doesn’t take it the wrong way when I say I hope he misses the gate a couple of times, and we can watch him weave his magic. It’s not often we have a current Grand Prix rider in action around our track.
“There are so many good riders on display on Friday. Robert Lambert was absolutely flying around here for Newcastle in the last meeting here, so he’s definitely one to watch, and Simon Stead rarely drops many points around here for Sheffield. In fact, Sheffield riders could end up dominating the qualifiers, because we know how well their riders go around here.
“With my Scunthorpe Scorpions hat on, I really hope Josh (Auty), Wilko (Carl Wilkinson) and Ash (Morris) have a successful night in their quest for a British Final place. Wilko got through last season and put in a really impressive performance in the final at Wolverhampton. Josh qualified, but had to miss that one through injury. Of course, the ultimate objective is for the riders is to win the British Final and get the wildcard slot at Cardiff. Josh has been reserve at Cardiff a couple of times, and got a ride around there, but of course he’d love a place in the line-up proper at Cardiff, as would all the riders.
“Their dreams of Cardiff start at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday.”
Friday’s full line-up (not in riding order) is:
CHRIS HARRIS (Coventry)
The star attraction, who makes his first appearance around the Eddie Wright Raceway since he finished third in the 2011 Ben Fund Bonanza. The winner of the 2007 British Grand Prix at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, which he won after passing Greg Hancock on the final bend, and aiming for his fourth British Championship, following previous triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2010. One of only two Brits, alongside Scunthorpe-born World Champion Tai Woffinden, currently in the Grand Prix series.
JOSH AUTY (Scunthorpe & Leicester)
Needs no introduction to the Scorpions’ fans. Now in his fifth season of his current spell of the club, while he first rode for the club in September 2005, shortly after his 15th birthday. The only rider ever to win three league championships with Scunthorpe (2006, 2007 and 2012). Known as ‘Mr Entertainment’ for his bursts from the back at the Eddie Wright Raceway, and is Scunthorpe’s current No 1 and skipper. He’s made it through to Cardiff a couple of times before as reserve, but he’d love to make a full appearance at the Millennium Stadium.
CARL WILKINSON (Scunthorpe & King’s Lynn)
A cult hero at Scunthorpe. Re-joined the Scorpions in 2015, following a previous spell from 2008 to 2011, and in his sixth season with Scunthorpe this season. Reached the British Final last season, where he scored a highly creditable seven points, and the 34-year-old will be looking to qualify again this season.
ASHLEY MORRIS (Scunthorpe & Cradley Heath)
Recently signed by Scunthorpe as a short-term replacement for Nicolai Klindt. He has impressed in this spell, and even if he is now released by the Scorpions now that they have more points to play with, hopefully the 22-year-old has done enough to remind Premier League promoters that he deserves a place in the league. Started his career with Scunthorpe Saints in 2009, won the British Under-15 Championship that same season, and has experience at all three levels of speedway in the UK.
SIMON STEAD (Sheffield)
The 33-year-old has a ton of experience at both domestic & international level – some supporters will remember him going wheel-to-wheel with Tomasz Gollob in Poland in the 2005 World Cup Final. He won the Premier League Riders’ Championship in 2014, and has bounced back quickly this season, after missing most of 2015 through injury. A very classy rider, who heads a contingent of five Sheffield riders in the line-up. Will start as one of the favourites to win the meeting.
KYLE HOWARTH (Sheffield & Wolverhampton)
Started his career as a Scunthorpe Saint as a 15-year-old in 2009, and he won the British Under-21 Championship last season at Coventry. Reached the British Final last season and scored eight points at Wolverhampton.
JOSH BATES (Sheffield & Coventry)
Another ex-Scunthorpe rider, having had a brief spell with the Scorpions at the beginning of 2013. His obvious natural talent has blossomed since then, and is one of just a handful of riders to have won the British Under-21 Championship on more than one occasion, having triumphed in both 2014 and 2016.
JASON GARRITY (Sheffield & Coventry)
Exciting 22-year-old who certainly doesn’t mind racing into the smallest of gaps – there’s rarely a dull moment when he’s around. A British Champion at both Under 15 and Under 19 level, and also a former winner of the National League Riders’ Championship. Has finished fifth and fourth respectively in the last two British Championships, and will be desperate to win that place at Cardiff.
RICHARD HALL (Sheffield)
A very familiar name to home fans, having been a Scorpion from 2009 to 2011. The 31-year-old, also one of Britain’s best riders on the World Longtrack scene, has played the role of both hero and villain at the Eddie Wright Raceway, but never knows when he’s beaten.
LEIGH LANHAM (Rye House)
Did a terrific job in a short spell at Scunthorpe at the end of 2015. The 38-year-old, who won the British Under-21 Championship way back in 1997, always does a professional job. This season, he’s joined Rye House.
ROBERT LAMBERT (Newcastle & King’s Lynn)
The exciting 18-year-old is one of British Speedway’s big hopes for the future. Already has experience at World Cup level, and unfortunate not to have won at least one British Under-21 Championship in the last two seasons. Scored paid 13 at the Eddie Wright Raceway less than weeks ago and looked extremely fast by the end of that meeting. Will start as one of the favourites.
SIMON LAMBERT (Peterborough)
Friday’s line-up is littered with former Scorpions, and Lambert is another, having rode for both the Scunthorpe Scorpions and National League Scunthorpe Saints, during a spell in 2009 and 2010.
LEWIS KERR (Ipswich & Lakeside)
How terrific it is to see this young man back racing a speedway bike! Involved in a horrific accident in the fours at Peterborough last season, and there were fears for his life in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Came on in leaps and bounds at both King’s Lynn and Newcastle over the last three years, and has changed both his clubs in 2016.
ROBERT MEAR (Lakeside)
The 27-year-old has spent the whole of his career at either Rye House or Lakeside, and he has returned to the Hammers in 2016, after a three-year-break from the sport.
STUART ROBSON (Rye House)
The 39-year-old is now at the veteran stage of his career. Spent many years riding for Coventry in the Elite League, and finished runner-up in the British Final at Brandon in 2001.
EDWARD KENNETT (Rye House & Lakeside)
The 29-year-old is the latest in a family dynasty of racers – following in the footsteps of his father and two uncles. Won the British Under-21 Championship in both 2005 & 2007, and finished second in the British Final in 2008 & 2009 – both times, gaining a place at Cardiff as a result. Has also appeared for Great Britain in the World Cup.
Admission prices for British Semi-Final on Friday:
Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
