THE long-awaited conclusion to the 2024 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final looks set to finally come to tapes at Leicester on Thursday, October 3 at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena.
The Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces currently hold a strong aggregate advantage after triumphing 54-36 at the National Speedway Stadium nearly two weeks ago, taking an 18-point lead into leg two.
Previous attempts to stage the meeting have fallen foul of terrible weather, but with a positive forecast for Thursday supporters are eagerly anticipating a spectacular grand finale.
Just 37 points separate the ATPI Aces from their second league title in as many seasons, and their fourteenth overall since the founding of the club in 1928.
Two changes to the two teams sees Drew Kemp return to the Watling JCB Lions after the new averages rendered Lewis Kerr ineligible to take his place as their guest at No.6 for the injured Craig Cook.
And the ATPI Aces welcome Ben Cook back to their septet at No.4 after the SCB accepted him fit to ride following a period of rest after he suffered a concussion in the semi-final at Sheffield.
Club boss Mark Lemon said: “When you have a lead like this you feel you have one hand on the trophy. But this game can throw curveballs and we’re not going to Leicester under any illusions.
“They are a strong team and they’ve been on form, probably the most in-form side of all over the second half of the season. They are deserved Grand Finalists but so are Belle Vue.
“I am so proud of the boys this season, and the effort they put in during the first leg especially to overcome challenging conditions to build this advantage was inspiring.
“I truly believe we can finish the job. We’ve got the bit between our teeth and we have the team to do it, we know we can achieve the results needed at Leicester but we will have to perform at our very best”.
The ATPI Aces hope to finish the job on Thursday, October 3 against Leicester when they travel to the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena for leg two of the ROWE Motor oil Premiership Grand Final.
The Cool Running Colts then close the racing calendar in Manchester on Monday, October 7 when they face Sheffield/Scunthorpe at the National Speedway Stadium.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are available to pre-book online at bellevue-speedway.com/events.
LEICESTER V BELLE VUE – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 @ 7:30PM [PO GF L2]
Leicester ‘Watling JCB’ Lions: Max Fricke (C) 9.14, Richard Lawson 7.09, Sam Masters 7.32, Luke Becker 6.57, Ryan Douglas 7.30, Drew Kemp 4.67, Sam Hagon RS; TM: Stuart Dickson
Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Brady Kurtz (C) 9.18, Norick Blodorn 5.40, Jaimon Lidsey 6.58, Ben Cook 6.99, Dan Bewley 8.74, Antti Vuolas 4.13, Jake Mulford RS; TM: Mark Lemon
Image: ©Belle Vue Speedway