Scunthorpe Speedway

13.12.09: Starke goes through card

Plymouth Devils’ rider Paul Starke went through the card in yesterday’s jbsportsimages.co.uk Winter Series meeting held at Scunthorpe Speedway. He raced to a fifteen point maximum in qualifying before defeating his 2009 Devils team mate Matt Bates and the up-and-coming duo of Ashley Birks, who actually claimed second place ahead of Bates, and Stephen Worrall. Starke was headed by the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions ‘number eight’ rider Gary Irving in qualifying but a seized engine ended Irving’s day after less than two laps.

In the Support Class it was Norfolk’s Andy Mountain who claimed the honours ahead of Mark Whitehead and David Holt whilst Geordie racer Ricky Anderson won the novice class with Chris Johnson and Jack Doolan taking the minor placings.

Afterwards Scunthorpe Promoter Rob Godfrey was delighted to finally get the Winter Series under way after three failed attempts in November. “The weather was just against every Saturday in November but today was a nice day and everyone put on a good show. There were some good lads out there and if we run in the National League next season then we’ll definitely be looking to include a couple of these riders”.

“Now we have to focus on the Christmas Cracker meeting on the 27th December. We’re hoping speedway fans from all over the country are going to take the opportunity to get a bit of fresh air after all the festivities and come see a great race meeting. After that the practice sessions will start up again on the 3rd January and we’re expecting a lot of league riders will want to be testing the new silencers they have got to use next year. Then on 9th January it’s the next round of the winter series so we are certainly keeping ourselves busy during the off season”.

Places in the amateur meetings can be booked by calling Richard Hollingsworth on 07832-402167 or by e-mailing him at richard@scunthorpespeedway.com. The remaining Winter Series dates are 9th January, 30th January, 20th February and 13th March.

Scunthorpe Speedway Winter Series Round Two:

Open Class:
Qualifying scores: Paul Starke 15, Steven Worrall 12, Matt Bates 11, Richard Andrews 9, Ashley Birks 7, Jack Hirst 7, Luke Chessell 7, Andrew Blackburn 6, Sam Woods 3 (4 rides), Jordan Tyrer 2 (4 rides), Conor Dwyer 2 (2 rides), Gary Irving 0 (1 ride).

C Final: Woods, Blackburn, 64.7
B Final: Birks, Andrews, Woods, Chessell (engine failure)
A Final: Starke, Birks, Bates, Worrall, 60.6

Winter Series Points (round one was rained off):
Paul Starke 16, Ashley Birks 15, Matt Bates 14, Steven Worrall 13, Richard Andrews 12, Sam Woods 11, Luke Chessell 10, Jack Hirst 9, Andrew Blackburn 8, Jordan Tyrer 7, Conor Dwyer 6, Gary Irving 5.

Open Class winners: Matt Bates (3rd), Ashley Birks (2nd) and Steven Worrall (4th). Paul Starke (winner), as an established National League rider, kindly allowed the other three riders in the final to take the trophies.

Support Class:
Qualifying scores: Andy Mountain 14, Mark Whitehead 10, Jim Graham 9, Kenny Blain 6, David Holt 4, Ian Leverington 4.

A Final: Mountain, Whitehead, Holt, Leverington, 65.5

Winter Series Points: Andy Mountain 16, Mark Whitehead 15, David Holt 14, Ian Leverington 13, Jim Graham 12, Kenny Blain 11.

Support Class winners: David Holt (3rd), Andy Mountain (1st) and Mark Whitehead (2nd)

Novice Class:

Qualifying scores: Jeff Halford 14, Ricky Anderson 14, Chris Johnson 11, Trevor Bebbington 7, Jack Doolan 7, Derek Holt 6, Mike Gittings 6 (3 rides), Craig Holt 5, Martin Simmons 0.

C Final: C. Holt, Simmons, 83.6
B Final: Doolan, Bebbington, C. Holt, Simmons, D. Holt (non-starter), 76.2
A Final: Anderson, Johnson, Doolan, Halford, 75.0

Winter Series Points: Ricky Anderson 16, Chris Johnson 15, Jack Doolan 14, Jeff Halford 13, Trevor Bebbington 12, Craig Holt 11, Martin Simmons 10, Derek Holt 9, Mike Gittings 8.

Novice Class winners: Jack Doolan (3rd), Ricky Anderson (1st) and Chris Johnson (2nd)