Suzuki Works rider Pete Boast bounced back sensationally from a recently broken collar-bone to assert his dominance at his new motorcycling discipline of choice, with a double victory in the latest instalment of American Flattrack racing held at the Norfolk Arena on Saturday (19/4).
The Silkolene Short Track UK championship has made Saddlebow its traditional starting-gate for an increasingly popular (among fans and racing practitioners from a range of different motorcycling codes alike) annual dirttrack racing fest taking in both Speedway circuits and half-mile trotting tracks across the length and breadth of the country.
This year the format has altered to more closely resemble its Stateside cousin, Flattrack: with sudden-death elimination and shoot-out snap qualification for the later stages up for grabs as afternoon qualifiers built up to a pulsating climax under the Area floodlights.
Ironically, in a Spring distinguished thus far by damp conditions on the track, the rains stayed away and the Saddlebow surface was absolutely ideal for racing.
A few new names distinguished themselves in this season opener with Laugherton’s flying postman, Shaun ‘Mert’ Brown; fellow Lincs based racer, mounted on a KTM, Geoff Baldock; Stamford’s Yamaha-mounted Dan Mansbridge; and Humberside’s Ben Wells all surprising beneficiaries of the fast track to the semis afforded by top two positions in the quick-fire evening heats. The usual suspects lined up ominously too: with GB pairing Boast and Glyn Pocklington recently back from the warmth of Daytona unfazed by the hardly seasonal chill blowing off the Wash and twice STUK champ, Marco Belli joining them in the semis. The two big-name Speedway converts did well too: with Aidan Collins from that legendary Cheshire racing dynasty taking just one ride to get the feel of the new rigours of Short Track, whilst the hugely popular former King’s Lynn Star, Adam Allott continued his journey back from a broken back to storm home in the Last Chance which followed Boast and Belli’s semi successes.
In the Grand Final Boast held off the predictably close-attentions of the Italian, Belli while Collins narrowly missed out on what would’ve been a memorable debut night rostrum position to the top Brit in last year’s European championships, Harrogate’s patriotic Steve Hall.
The competition for the larger bikes, the Thunderbikes went also to reigning champion, Boast but sharing top billing with the Market Rasen marauder was fellow Lincs speedster, Kevin Armstrong. Hailing from Boston, Armstrong and his trusty 450cc Honda have often been bit part players as the STUK series has progressed in quality and status; but it all came good for him today, notching up two heat wins, second place behind Boast in the Final and the fully-deserved accolade of Helmets4u Rider of the Night: winning a new skid-lid for his efforts.
Showing up well too in this event for twin and multi-cylindered monster bikes (all the way up to an awesome 1200cc Harley) was Leicester’s Paul Harrison, denied his moment on the podium only by CCM loyalist, Richard May.
In the companion junior event backed again by CCM, reigning champ Tom Woolley justified his number one plate status going through the card unbeaten yet again from Skegness’s Ben Baker and Tom Welbourn from Wisbech.
The Welbourn garage in the Fens are series sponsors of the four-wheeled entertainment: the unique drama and excitement that’s Short Track Quads; and the band of speed merchants didn’t disappoint: with the Banshee brothers, Alan and Mark Hooker from Caistor grabbing top points in first and second respectively. with new face, Ian Curl from Earsham, Suffolk in third.
Next up for the fast-growing Short Track series is the one-off Champions Of Short Track international event at the East of England Showground over the weekend of Satutday17th. and Sunday 18th. May.
