KENNETT HOLDS ONTO CROWN AND NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION REVEALED

Edward Kennett showed exactly why he was out and out favourite to retain his British Upright Championship crown, by doing just that as he stormed to 5 straight wins as the Smallbrook stadium last night (Thursday). On a night when the only rain cloud in the UK perched itself firmly over the Island, Kennett showed that he had lost none of his class as he cruised to the title. Whilst Kennett was having things his own way, there was plenty going on behind his in the less that far from perfect weather conditions. With races staged over 3 laps, the first race produced plenty of passing between Sean Bickley, Felton passed Bickley for the final time to lead as they went over the line, however the flag marshal put out the final lap flag and the referee immediately put the red lights on, correctly giving the win to the former Stoke Potter Felton. Kennett duly won Heat 2 in a fast time of 57.9. Wayne Broadhurst showed his liking for the conditions by winning Heat 3 before flying Australian Nigel Flatman won the 4th. Kennett made it 2 out of 2 beating Ben Phillips in the 5th before Flatman won the 6th after a good tussle with Daniel Owen. However, disaster struck the Felixstowe Flyer, Flatman’s bike completely seized after the race had finished, ruling him out of the rest of the meeting. Heat 7 saw Broadhurst beat Bickley and then Felton also joined the leader board winning his 2nd race. Heat 9 saw Broadhurst head the leaderboard as he beat Phillips to move onto 9 points, he was then joined by Kennett on 9 as he comfortably won the 10th heat. By now the rain was in driving force, sweeping across the circuit, but the riders to their credit were happy to continue. Bickley got himself back in contention by winning Heat 11, before Felton joined Broadhurst and Kennett on 9 points by winning the 12th heat. Phillips gave himself a shot at a rostrum place by winning Heat 13, before Broadhurst made it 4 wins on the bounce taking the 14th. Kennett joined him taking Heat 15 from Bickley and Felton did likewise in the 16th. With 1 round of races left, Smallbrook had 3 riders all on 12 points and they were all due to meet in the final heat! Phillips took his tally to 11 by taking Heat 17 and Martin Stacey moved up to 9 winning the 18th. Heat 19 saw Bickley go it alone as his 3 opponents had all been forced out with mechanical issues, moving him up to 12 points and still in with a chance of the podium. So it all came down to the final heat, Kennett shot into the lead, but the race had to be stopped after Broadhurst took an awkward-looking tumble on turn 2 and was disqualified from the re-start. Kennett made his customary flying start to retain his title with Felton taking the runners-up position. Broadhurst’s fall meant that there was to be a run-off for 3rd place between him and Bickley, but with track conditions now making the track unfit to continue, the race was not staged and Broadhurst’s 4 race wins meant that he was technically 3rd, but the position was shared. The British Woman’s Championship was a bit more straightforward and saw a new champion, as twice winner Katie Gordon was pushed into 2nd place by the highly entertaining and deserving winner Rachel Hellowell. Hellowell stormed to an excellent unbeaten 4 wins to take the title with 12 points Gordon’s 9 points gave her 2nd place. Talk of the town and the Island though was 3rd place Tia Brant. 15-year-old Tia from Worthing has only been riding the 500cc machines a matter of weeks and recorded 6 points, comfortably beating twice runner-up Steph Whitlock from the Island into 4th spot. Anastasia Sallee finished 5th. All in all, 25 heats of racing were staged within 90 minutes before the rain made racing too difficult, an achievement in itself and once again full credit must go to the staff and volunteers for doing such an excellent job. The next racing at Smallbrook is this coming Tuesday with a return of the GT140’s. There will also be a Wightlink Wizards v Cradley Heathens 8 heat speedway match to support this event and the usual Junior racing from 18:15.