SPEEDWAY News and Fixtures

CHAMP LAMBO'S GLORY FOR GRANDAD

ROBERT Lambert admitted his grandad who started his career was “looking down on him proudly” after he landed the Sports Insure British Championship title. 

King’s Lynn hero Lambert lived up to his moniker with a flawless performance, producing a 15-point maximum in the qualifying heats before winning an epic final at Belle Vue last night. 
Lambo had to withstand the fierce thrusts of Dan Bewley in a frantic final but rode a strong race to win the national title aged just 20. 

It came just 72 hours after he won a silver medal for helping Great Britain to runner-up in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations in Poland on Saturday night. 

Lambert admitted: “It’s very emotional for me that my grandad Edward couldn’t see this. When I reflect on that I did this. But he’s up there watching me I’m 100 per cent sure. He’s going to be definitely proud of me. 
“I’ve given him back something for all he did for me. 
“No time to celebrate, we are kicking on to Stansted now. Few hours sleep and then Sweden. We just keep rolling and racing.” 
Now Lambert has got his sights on another big night at the British Grand Prix in Cardiff as a wild card next month. 
He added: “It’s awesome you can only dream of it. So proud and happy to achieve this at my age. 
“I think I deserve it, I’ve had a good start to the season. I’m really pleased what I’ve done tonight. 
“The Speedway of Nations I’ve taken a lot out of that, a great deal of experience and knowledge that I didn’t have before. 

“To do race on the world stage and then come back here and to win the British Final is a big achievement. “Now we have to kick on to Cardiff as British Grand Prix wildcard. Obviously I’m going to be gunning for the big boys there.” 
Lambert was a cut above on another glorious showcase of British speedway on the racy, pacy Manchester circuit. 

The headline act early into the affair was the return of broken leg victim Steve Worrall who bravely mixed it, picking up three points, but not surprisingly a lack of match fitness curtailed his meeting after three rides. 

But there was no stopping Lambert. Time and again he sliced through the field, picking off three-times champ Chris Harris in Heat 12 and then seven-times champ Scott Nicholls a race later. 
Defending title holder Craig Cook wasn’t giving up without a fight. His pass of Nicholls on the line in Heat 19 to go straight to the final had the huge Manchester crowd on its feet. 
Another home star Dan Bewley also gathered momentum as the night progressed. After a slow start, he final two race wins from the back booked his semi-final spot. 

The semi was a brutal battle. Nicholls was once again picked off by Bewley and then surprise packet Jason Garrity who had been impressive all night in his usual swashbuckling, heartstopping self. 

But the final was all about the young Brit guns. Lambert and Bewley slugged it out for two laps, Lambert on the outside resisting Bewley’s bursts from the inside in a nerve-shredding encounter. 
Lambo prevailed while defending champ Cook had delivered a solid show for bronze this time around. 

However it was Lambert’s night as he roared clear for an impeccable sixth win. His mum and dad hugged him in emotional scenes at the pit gate. While his grandad Edward no doubt watched from above.

(SPEEDWAY 1)

ROBERT Lambert was crowned British Champion on a memorable night of racing at Belle Vue on Monday.
The King’s Lynn youngster, who had starred for Great Britain in the recent Speedway of Nations tournament, went through the card in his qualifying heats at the National Speedway Stadium and then held off home hero Dan Bewley in the Final.
The result mirrored his achievement in the British Under-21 Final earlier in the season, and also earned him the Wild Card place for next month’s British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Whilst Lambert had his place in the Final secure after four winning rides, there was a fierce battle for the other automatic spot, with a three-way fight ensuing in Heat 19.
Belle Vue star Craig Cook overtook Scott Nicholls off the final bend to move on to 11 points after he, Nicholls and Rory Schlein had all gone into the race on eight.
That race eliminated Schlein completely whilst Bewley, who won his last two rides, Jason Garrity and Kyle Howarth also finished on ten after some spectacular racing.
Seven-time champion Nicholls led the semi-final but was swallowed up by both Bewley and Garrity, who joined Lambert and Cook in the Final.
Lambert elected to take gate 2 and looked to clamp Bewley, off the inside, on turn one, and after establishing the lead on the back straight he switched to the fast outside line and maintained his advantage despite Bewley’s challenge.
Bewley was a crowd-pleasing second whilst outgoing champion Cook made it two home riders on the podium with third place after a hard-working night.
Lambert said: “It’s an incredible feeling. It’s beyond special to come into such a big meeting as this where you’ve got all the best guys in Britain gunning for top spot.
“I never expected to go through the card. On nights like this, you just don’t imagine it’ll happen so to say I’m delighted is an understatement. I couldn’t be more pleased with my performance.
“I just tried to stay composed and focused going into the final. I knew I had stiff competition going for me from all sides and Dan Bewley in particular absolutely knows his way around Belle Vue.
“But I’m thrilled to have won, and to know I’ll be going to Cardiff as the GP wildcard is amazing. It’s something you dream of as a kid so it’s an opportunity I’ll be taking with both hands.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

POOLE promoter Matt Ford has ruled out any chance of Chris Holder appearing for the club this season.
Holder signed to rejoin the Pirates over the winter and was present at press and practice day – but unresolved personal issues have prevented him from taking to the track in the UK.
Ford said: “The whole situation with Chris has been very frustrating for everyone, nobody more so than Chris himself who was desperate to line up for the Pirates again this season.
“There’s no doubt the situation has affected our start to the season, but now it is out in the open and we know where we are, I hope everyone will get behind the team.
“It’s been extremely difficult and not at all how I wanted our platinum season to begin, but there is plenty of track time left in the league this year and I know this team is as determined as I am to ensure we are in the play-off mix come the end of the summer.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

THE Isle of Wight have signed Alfie Bowtell after club captain Ben Hopwood requested a transfer citing travel problems caused by a new job.
Bowtell is set to make his Warriors debut in the home National League clash with Plymouth tonight (Tuesday).
Co-promoter Barry Bishop said: “Ben’s decision came out of the blue as he was always asking us if his job was safe and he was doing a good job.
“Of course we understand about his new working arrangements and our geographical position. We wish him all the best and there is no bad feeling between club and rider, although we have to be disappointed in the way this matter has been carried out.
“We had to act quickly to secure a replacement and we are thrilled to be able to announce the arrival of Alfie on an attractive 6.55 average. 
“Alfie has ridden with Ben Morley at Lakeside for the past two seasons. At 21, he is an improving young talent who has always fitted in well and scored solidly on past visits here. We welcome him to our club and will support his development in any way we can.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

KENT were dramatic 46-44 winners over Eastbourne in the National Trophy on Monday.
Luke Bowen and Jack Thomas secured a 4-2 in the last race at Central Park with Thomas passing Eagles skipper Mark Baseby in Heat 15 after the race initially looked set for a 3-3.
Bowen lost out to Eastbourne’s Georgie Wood in Heat 1 but then scored 14, whilst Thomas collected 12. Wood and Tom Brennan were top-scorers for the Eagles with 12 and 10 respectively.

(FIXTURES)

TUESDAY JUNE 12:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 13:
PREMIERSHIP: Leicester v Swindon 7.30, Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30, Somerset v Wolverhampton 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 14:
PREMIERSHIP: Swindon v Rye House 7.30
CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Berwick 7.30

FRIDAY JUNE 15:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30, Glasgow v Workington 7.30, Lakeside v Berwick 8pm, Scunthorpe v Peterborough 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Coventry 7.15

Results Monday June 11, 2018

BRITISH FINAL, Belle Vue
1 Robert Lambert (King’s Lynn)
2 Dan Bewley (Belle Vue/Workington)
3 Craig Cook (Belle Vue)
4 Jason Garrity (Scunthorpe)

NATIONAL TROPHY
Kent 46 – Luke Bowen 14
Eastbourne 44 – Georgie Wood 12
National Trophy points: Kent 3 Eastbourne 1


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