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