IT was another big win, and enjoyable evening’s racing, in Manchester as the Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts went top of the National League table after defeating Oxford 56-33 at the National Speedway Stadium.
The NDL meeting was preceded by the first round of the 125cc British Youth Championships, with the main event won by Seth Norman and the support class won by Rocco Webb.
But before tapes went up for Heat 1 between the Colts and the Chargers, the visitors were dealt a huge blow after Jordan Jenkins was ruled out on medical grounds following a crash at Ipswich on Thursday.
Then, Jacob Clouting demolished the tapes in the first race and was replaced by Luke Killeen, only for Killeen to then crash out of that race with a suspected broken wrist.
The Cool Running Colts were quick to capitalise on the rotten luck their rivals were suffering and emphatically took control of their night and led from start to finish.
In only his second appearance at the National Speedway Stadium, James Pearson recorded his second paid 15-point maximum in Manchester much to the delight of supporters.
And Sam Hagon came close to doing the same, but during an excellent battle with Henry Atkins in Heat 12 he miscalculated a manoeuvre down the home straight and almost collided with the Oxford man.
But both riders shook it off with a hand shake after the race, but it was the Cool Running Colts who ended their night victorious and on top of the National League table.
Maximum man Pearson said: “On a personal level, you can’t not be happy with a paid 15-point maximum. It’s only my second meeting here so I’m delighted with that.
“Oxford had some really bad luck tonight; I don’t think things could’ve got any worse for them and we really did feel for them, but you can only race what’s in front of you.
“I think, as a team, we’ve been having a lot of fun with our racing and the results, especially at home, are coming naturally because of the atmosphere amongst the boys.
“We started the meeting strongly and maintain that strength throughout the night. We’ve built some good momentum and now we’ve got to keep it up ready for our next few matches.”
The ATPI Aces return to action in Manchester next Thursday, May 18 for their rearranged Knockout Cup quarter final against Wolverhampton, where the visitors lead 46-20 on aggregate.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes, south stand parking and hospitality are available to pre-book online at bellevue-speedway.com.
RESULT - BELLE VUE V OXFORD - FRIDAY, MAY 12 @7:30PM
Belle Vue 'Cool Running' Colts 56: James Pearson 14+1, Sam Hagon 11, Jack Smith 11, Freddy Hodder 8+2, Matt Marson 6+1, Luke Muff 3+2, Jack Shimelt 3+2
Oxford 'WSRA' Chargers 33: Henry Atkins 14, Ryan Kinsley 9+1, Jody Scott 5+2, Jacob Clouting 5+1, Jacob Fellows 0, Luke Killeen 0, Jordan Jenkins r/r
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP, 125cc CLASS - ROUND 1
MAIN FIELD: 1st: Seth Norman, 2nd: Archie Rolph, 3rd: Oliver Bovingdon, 4th: Harry Fletcher
SUPPORT CLASS: 1st: Rocco Webb, 2nd: Lewis Hague, 3rd: Liam Morris
Image: Ian Charles