Chris Timms, of the Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway team, raced to victory in the 2008 British Under 19s Final to become the clubs first national champion for 20 years.

The dashing 17 year old, of Tresham Rd, Great Barr produced a brilliant display to beat the best of British. The event was excellently promoted and staged at the Birmingham track in Perry Hall Playing Fields, Perry Barr last Saturday in glorious weather conditions.

Timms made a hesitant start. In the first of his five programmed rides, he was left trailing on the first bend but recovered well to scramble third place and two crucial points to keep alive his championship challenge.

The Birmingham whizz kid then reeled of four superb race wins to total 18 points and force a run-off for the British title with Tom Haddock of Wednesfield, Wolverhampton.

Haddock won the toss for the all-important starting positions and choose the favourable inside grid leaving Timms with it all to do to fulfil every sportsman dream to become British champion.

In an astonishing climax, Timms held his nerve to coolly stalk his rival for two laps before pouncing in a well timed race for glory. He charged up the inside entering the third lap and then repulsed a Haddock fight back to take the chequered flag and the British crown.

His victory sparked off joyous scenes from home supporters and Monarchs riders and officials. Fittingly, the first to embrace Timms on his return to the pits was father Paul, still a key Monarchs point’s scorer himself, who has spent the last ten years taking Chris to competitions all over the country.

Ipswich flyer Josh Brooke took third place on the podium. Monarchs rising star Nathan Groves also reached the final and scored a fine 12 points. The Birmingham club won praise by their excellent staging of the meeting, which included Birmingham City Council providing temporary toilets facilities.

Birmingham Monarchs return to Midland League action this Sunday (August 10th), when they travel to Sandwell looking to cement their challenge for the Midland League crown.

It’s a must-win match for the Monarchs on the tricky Sandwell circuit. Team manger Phil Widdas names his strongest available side, led by recent European Individual finalists Marcus Wadhams and Polish ace Dominik Rycharski.

Birmingham team: 1 Chris Timms 2 Dominik Rycharski 3 Marcus Wadhams 4 Nathan Groves 5 Mark Winwood 6 Carl Winwood 7 Aarron Deery 8 Paul Timms