BRITISH SPEEDWAY AUGUST 17

Date: Tuesday August 17, 2021   (Photo Adam Ellis in action)

(SPEEDWAY 1)

ADAM Ellis was crowned British Champion for the first time with victory at Belle Vue on Monday.
The Sheffield and Scunthorpe man finished third in his opening ride but then reeled off four straight wins to qualify directly for the Final.

He then took that race from the inside ahead of pre-meeting favourite Dan Bewley, who was joined by his Belle Vue team-mate and former champion Charles Wright in the top three. Three-time winner Chris Harris was just off the rostrum.
Ellis said: “It feels amazing to hold this trophy. It’s been a long, tough night and I’m beyond delighted to walk away with the win. 

“I honestly didn’t expect this. I certainly wanted it and I wasn’t here to make up the numbers, and there have been quite a few shock winners in the British Final over the last few years.
“We all knew that Dan was the man to beat and I knew I’d have to work hard, but anything can happen in this meeting and I’m just thrilled to have won on the night.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

BELLE VUE No.1 Dan Bewley was in philosophical mood after having to settle for runners-up spot in Monday’s British Final.
Bewley repeated his second-place finish of 2018, this time finishing behind Adam Ellis after having to battle through the semi-final but then being left with gate three for the Final.
He said: “I’d like to have been one step higher on the podium, but it just wasn’t to be this time, and I’m still happy to come away as the British No.2. 

“It was a brilliant Final and me and Charles [Wright] had a really good tussle but by the time I could have a crack at Adam he was too far up the road.
“We battled away all night. I was struggling out of the gates which put me behind in places, but I still felt fast, and I’m not disappointed with second place. I’m happy to be on the podium.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

FORMER British Champion Charles Wright took all the positives from finishing third on his home National Speedway Stadium track on Monday.
Wright won the 2019 British Final but did not defend the title last year due to the pandemic – and he regarded another rostrum finish as a major step forward.
He said: “I feel like this has done me the world of good. I’ve been looking for something all season and now I feel I’ve got something that is working for me. 

“Finishing first in 2019 and now third in 2021 is not a bad record, and this result means even more to me after all the struggles I’ve been going through recently.
“I feel confident, and I feel much quicker on the bike. This is a personal win for many reasons and I’m looking forward to kicking on with the rest of the season.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

BRITISH Champion Adam Ellis makes his first league appearance since claiming the title when Scunthorpe visit Plymouth tonight (Tuesday).
It’s a big week for the Championship play-off hopefuls as they race a two-day Southern tour, also travelling to Poole on Wednesday – meaning they could go back to the top of the table with two positive results.
Scorpions manager Dave Peet said: “The lads all know that we have targeted this meeting for away points, and they will be up for it in this one.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

KENT and Berwick are both at full strength for tonight’s (Tuesday) Championship clash at Central Park.
Dan Gilkes is named in the Kings’ line-up despite crashing out of last week’s narrow home win over Edinburgh, and he takes his place at reserve.
Meanwhile Kasper Andersen is expected to resume for the Bandits after he was forced to withdraw following one ride in the home win over Plymouth on Saturday.
 
(FIXTURES)

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 18:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Berwick 7.30, Poole v Scunthorpe 7.30

THURSDAY AUGUST 19:
PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Wolverhampton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30