Round 1 National Championships Kings Lynn 21st April 2013



      DTRA Press Release


Reigning British Flattrack Champion Aidan Collins got the defence of his title off to the best possible start at the Norfolk Arena today (21st April 2013).  Collins, celebrating his 31st birthday during the action, had a great cause to party at the end of 42 heats of enthralling action in King’s Lynn.


The number one plate holder started the afternoon with two comfortable wins, kicking off his 2013 campaign with a from-the-back success in the opening round of heat races before utilising his front row grid slot to maximum effect for a second consecutive win.  Tim Neave was also an opening round race winner, working his way through from the back row impressively to set down a marker early in the match.  Neave, who recovered from frightful injuries sustained in a track crash last year, is undoubtedly one of the favourites for the title this season, and showed that kind of form in pursuit of first round runner-up Tim Greig.  Greig was back to his best in the second round, proving why King’s Lynn was his track of choice last year as he worked his way through from the middle row to take victory.


But with a poor final round heat race, Greig ruled himself out of taking a front-row grid slot, on a baking hot day that created a slick surface and made starting vital.  Tom Neave stole the final front row grid slot away from him in the third round, taking a shock win over brother Tim who in turn held Aidan Collins at bay for the entire race distance.  But the number one’s ten point haul was enough to give him the first gate choice for the final, and he flew from the start and onto a tightrope of rubber that saw him cruise to his first success of the year.


There were also positive displays from Deus ex Machina  rider of the day Alan Birtwistle, who finished runner-up to Aidan Collins in the heat stages but whose favoured outside blasts were unfavourable on the late-match track conditions.  And Peter Boast recovered from three disappointing heat races to work his way through traffic in the final.  But the final word was reserved for Collins on his birthday, taking the champagne and celebrating in style.


**Paul Scott was awarded the Ace Café Award for his efforts in the MiniBike class.  Scott, who races regularly in the rookie class, got the better of Stephen Rhodes in a last lap dash to the finish to take a third and match-winning race victory.  He also competed in the rookie class, but was beaten to the flag by Andrew Collinson.  Vince Hurst was the outstanding winner of the restricted class, while Oliver Brindley, Ben Neave and George Hopper all made names for themselves as stars of the future with successes in the youth classes.

                          

[Alex Raby]

 Photography Tom Whiting 




1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Pro
Aidan Collins
Tim Neave
Tim Creig
Restricted
Vince Hurst
Anthony Brown
Flynn Scott
Rookie
Andrew Collinson
Tom Wright
Graham Unwin
Thunderbike
Neil Martin
Dave Chadbun
Geoff Cain
Minibike
Paul Scott
Steven Rhodes
Robert Neave
Youth Senior
Oliver Brindley
Calum Willey
Aaron Silvester
Youth Inter
Ben Neave
Skye Adams
Bailey Fellows
Youth Junior
Geogre Hopper
Chad Wirtsfeld














































































1 comment:

  1. well done to all at dtra for making this happen, glad the weather was good!!!.

    ReplyDelete