BRITISH SPEEDWAY NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Feature photo: Leicester’s Max Perry

(SPEEDWAY 1)

OXFORD’S NDL GRAND FINAL WIN 

OXFORD were crowned NDL champions after defeating Leicester 34-32 in a one-off Grand Final at Cowley on Tuesday.
The Chargers secured the club’s first team silverware for 18 years with victory over the Lion Cubs in a close contest between the league’s top two sides.

Unfortunately the meeting was curtailed with four races to go after a serious crash for Leicester’s Max Perry, with heavy rain moving in during the ensuing delay to make further racing impossible.
Ryan Kinsley (8+1) and Henry Atkins (7+1) top-scored for the Chargers, whilst Dan and Joe Thompson both scored eight points for the Lion Cubs.

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “We’re absolutely delighted – I’m so pleased for everyone who supports this special club and those who work hard behind the scenes. This is for you all!
“It’s not the way we wanted to win the championship, and of course our thoughts are with Max Perry who we wish a speedy recovery after his crash. But the boys got stuck in when the going got tough and they deserve this – it’s been an incredible season.

“It was clear to everyone conditions were too dangerous to continue, and we thank the Leicester management for their cooperation in bringing the meeting to a sensible conclusion after we had passed the point where a result could be called.
“This special team deserved a reward for all their hard work this season – and tonight they brought it home.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

LEICESTER’S NDL Grand Final defeat was overshadowed by the injuries suffered by Max Perry in a Heat 12 crash at Oxford.
16-year-old Perry is set for surgery on Wednesday having suffered a broken and dislocated right wrist, and a broken right ankle, as well as bruising to the lungs.

Team manager Dave Howard said: “All our thoughts are with Max, and we just hope he makes a good recovery so that he can get on with his life and his career.
“He’s at the age now where he doesn’t want to be out of his education for a long time, so we hope he’s comfortable and that we get some good news from the hospital.

“Of course the result is disappointing, but I’m really proud of all the guys. One race either way and we could have been in the lead and had it gone to the end, who knows, we had Dan and Joe (Thompson) in Heats 13 and 15 so we could have gone on to win it.
“But overall I’m thankful to all the riders for what they’ve done again this year.  We deserved to win things again, but I’m very proud of what the Cubs have achieved in the last four seasons, and a big thanks also to the supporters.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BELLE Vue captain Brady Kurtz swept the board at the club’s end-of-season awards, picking up no fewer than five trophies after leading the Aces’ class of 2023.
Kurtz was voted overall Rider of the Year as well as taking equivalent manager’s and supporters’ awards, and he was also the top points scorer and was named Team Man of the Year.

The club have confirmed plans for 2024 are well underway with the new season set to kick off on Monday March 18 when they stage the Peter Craven Memorial.
Aces CEO Mark Lemon said: “It’s always difficult, with two such committed teams, to pick the winners in certain categories because all of them deserved to win, and I think Brady Kurtz summed it up perfectly.

“He accepted his many, many trophies on behalf of his team-mates as well, because their efforts were just as crucial to our successes this year.
“The campaign might have concluded but the hard work has already begun as we start planning in earnest for 2024, and we’re very excited to see what new challenges the New Year brings.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

KYLE Newman is looking for a team berth elsewhere in the Cab Direct Championship after confirming he is leaving Poole.
The 31-year-old returned to his local club this season after previously appearing for the Pirates in the top-flight, and helped them reach the Finals in all three team competitions.

But he has now announced on social media that he joins Steve Worrall and Anders Rowe in departing the Wimborne Road side this winter.
Newman said: “Season’s done, and as I’ve been told so is my time at Poole Pirates as not in the plans for next year.
“Thanks for the season to all the fans and sponsors, it’s been a good year, just didn’t finish the way we wanted!”