23-year old Australian Scott James took total control last night (Sunday 11th May) at the Newcastle Stadium in the Sapphire Engineering Junior Championships, going through the meeting with five unbeaten races out of five.

His maximum point haul were compiled in a determined fashion, generally seeing off his opposition in the early sections of his heats, although his number one place could not be claimed until the final race of the night.

James was up against Jonathan Bethell of the Scunthorpe Conference side who went into the final Heat 20 with 10 points to his name, with Luke Priest of Weymouth Speedway, on nine points was also in the deciding heat, still within reach of a top three place, but it was the power of James that saw him shoot rapidly round the second bend to pass Bethell with Priest remaining in third.

Priest battled well to attempt to get around Bethell for a thrilling four laps, but just failed when he fell in his final ambitious overtaking move on the third bend of the final lap to end the night in sixth place overall.

Second placed Paul Starke from the Plymouth Devils squad picked up well from a quiet start to win his final three outings proving that he is a real star of tomorrow and a name to watch out for in the very near future.

Scott Richardson, son of former Diamond Derek, was also very impressive with some tenacious racing, especially in his first outing in Heat two to see off Bethell in a very well controlled bend four pass.

Redcar’s Martin Emerson also looked an early contender but fell in a critical Heat Five when he tried to take the lead by going very wide on bend four of lap one, ending any real chance he had of glory.

Scorers – in programme order:
Brendan Johnson Fx,3,3,3,2 = 11
Guy Kendrew 1,1,1,0,1 = 4
Johnnie Grey 2,3,0,1,0 = 6
Scott James 3,3,3,3,3 = 15
Jonathan Bethell 2,2,3,3,2 = 12
Scott Richardson 3,2,1,2,3 = 11
Steven Jones 0,2,2,2,3 =  9
Paul Starke 1,2,3,3,3 = 12
Martin Emerson 3,F,1,1,2 = 7
Mike Pickering 2,Fx,1,2,1 = 6
Kieron Morris 1,N2,2,0,2 = 5
David Wallinger F,1,2,0,1 = 5
Jitendra Duffill Fx,1,0,2,1 = 4
Luke Priest 3,3,2,1,0 = 9
Scott Meakins X,1,0,0,0 = 1
Gary Irving 2,R,0,F,0 = 2