RIDERS from the Coventry Cycle Speedway club are chasing glory on multiple fronts this Bank Holiday weekend at the British Individual finals in the south west.
The club tracks its biggest representation of riders in the annual national championships since racing was revived at Hearsall Common five years ago.
No more than 14 riders from the city will be competing in their respective age category event – and officials are hopeful that a British Champion from Coventry can be crowned.
Their biggest chance of success comes in the Open Individual Final at Exeter on Monday (August 29) when home grown talent Myke Grimes will aim to make it through the qualifying stages on Saturday and Sunday to race in his third consecutive final.
The 31-year-old, who married long-time partner Rebecca last week, will hope to finish several places higher than last year when falling just short of a podium spot in Ipswich.
Also representing Coventry in the open final will be three-times British Champion Andy Angell and northern powerhouse duo Ben Higham and Jake Read.
Away from the Open Final, Coventry will be represented by two riders at Saturday’s British Under 10s final.
Pint-sized Ronni Wassall – whose brother Jimmy will also be riding in the British Under 16s final – will be gunning for glory alongside James Morris.
Morris’ older brother – Ollie – will also be in action this weekend at Poole when taking on some of Britain’s best under 16s riders.
Ben Wells will fancy his chances in the British Under 13s final while Jack Reynolds will take a big step up competing in the same event.
Former World Champion Ray Oliver, who tasted success at the top of the sport when winning the world title in Adelaide in 1988, will line up in the British Over 50s final.
Coventry`s leading female racer, 15-year-old Sammi Marsh will also have a hectic weekend.
The Ash Green schoolgirl lines-up in the British Girls Final at Poole on Sunday – before dashing to Exeter for Monday`s British Womans Final.
Assessing the British Finals outlook, Coventry club spokesman Andy Drewett said: “Its tremendous to see so many of our riders – across all the different age groups – representing our city at the highest level.
“It is amazing to think that just five years ago there was no racing in Coventry, now we are absolutely overrun with dozens and dozens of riders, and our potent representation in the years British Finals shows that we are on the right track.”
