BELLE Vue moved back into Play Off Grand Final contention after an emphatic 39-51 victory at Workington saw them clinch all three league points on offer.
An impressive performance 24 hours earlier saw them best the GT Tyres Comets 49-41 at the National Speedway Stadium, despite being without two of their biggest hitters.
But back to full strength for their trip to Northside, the Cool Running Colts flexed their muscle and sent out a statement to their NDL rivals as they continue their pursuit of the Play Offs.
The home team kept things close to begin proceedings with two shared races, before the visitors got their foot in the door with a succession of heat advantages to take the lead.
A 5-1 - and a new track record for ATPI Aces Rising Star Connor Bailey - in Heat 6 pulled the scores back to within two points, but the GT Tyres Comets struggled to defend the narrow margin.
A further slew of drawn heats and heat advantages in favour of the Cool Running Colts was enough to ensure victory on the day for the Mancunians, as well as on aggregate.
Sam Hagon and James Pearson announced their return to the side with 11+1 apiece, while Luke Muff added 8+2 and skipper Jack Smith contributed 8+1.
Colts co-boss Steve Williams said: “Over the last 24 hours we’ve collected five league points and we couldn’t be prouder of the boys for what they’ve accomplished.
“We were quietly confident going into this meeting, given the amount of practice time the boys had had at Northside, but we weren’t complacent at any point.
“This was very much a team effort, from No.1 right through to No.7, and everyone was brilliant to fend off the challenge from the Comets.
“We’ve got two meetings left before the Play Offs and it feels like everyone is coming good at the right time, so that does give us a psychological boost.
“We’re second ion the table after Saturday but we really need to make the most of these final two meetings to finish the job and make sure we stay there.”
The ATPI Aces round off an extended bank holiday of racing with their final calendar fixture in the Premiership on Monday, August 28 against the Leicester Lions.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and hospitality are now available to pre-book at bellevue-speedway.com/events. South stand parking is sold out, but St. Peter’s School will be open on the day.
RESULT – WORKINGTON V BELLE VUE – SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 @ 3PM [NDL]
Workington ‘GT Tyres’ Comets 39: Connor Bailey 15, Luke Harrison 11, Elliot Kelly 6, Sam McGurk 5+1, Luke Crang 2+1, Harry McGurk 0, Ace Pijper R/R
Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts 51: Sam Hagon 11+1, James Pearson 11+1, Luke Muff 8+2, Jack Smith 8+1, Freddy Hodder 7, Matt Marson 5+3, Jack Shimelt 1+1
Belle Vue Win 100-80 On Aggregate
Image: Ian Charles