Workington Comets have plenty of interest in the British Under-19s final at Birmingham on Wednesday, June 28.
The reformed Comets have four riders in the draw while a fifth, Luke Harrison is in as a reserve.
British Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “The draw has already flagged up some really exciting heats, none more so than as early as Heat 2 with a clash of the two Birmingham boys Dan and Joe Thompson, as well as the 2022 British Under-19 runner-up Jake Mulford and Workington’s up and coming star Ace Pijper.
“Due to the age category of the previous winners, there will be a new British Champion crowned on the night, so a really big occasion for all 16 competitors and a meeting that is bound to be full of exciting racing all the way through to Heat 20.”
Draw: 1 Nathan Ablitt, 2 Sam Hagon, 3 Ben Trigger, 4 Max Perry, 5 Jake Mulford, 6 Joe Thompson, 7 Dan Thompson, 8 Ace Pijper, 9 Vinnie Foord, 10 Jody Scott, 11 Elliot Kelly, 12 Sam McGurk, 13 Mickie Simpson, 14 Harry McGurk, 15 Ashton Boughen, 16 Freddy Hodder. Reserves: 17 Luke Harrison, 18 Max James.
The Comets ride tomorrow afternoon in the National Development League when they visit Mildenhall Fen Tigers (4pm) looking for revenge after a home defeat two weeks ago.
Australian number one Connor Bailey rode for Redcar Bears last night in the Championship but after winning the reserves race he failed to score in his next two outings against Poole Pirates.
Poole eventually edged out the home side in a Super Heat at the end of a Cab Direct Championship thriller to go back to the top of the table.
The sides drew 45-45 in a terrific contest which boiled up into a dramatic finale when, with the scores level, Bears No.1 Danny King was disqualified from Heat 15 for breaking the tapes.
That gave the Pirates a match-winning position in the re-run, but on the last bend skipper Steve Worrall was disqualified for bringing down ex-Comet Charles Wright as the race ended in a 3-3.
Wright made the start in the Super Heat but the key battle was for third place where Poole’s Richard Lawson, another former Workington rider, passed King on the third lap to win the meeting for the visitors.
Lawson had a sensational night scoring 16+1 from six rides in the regular match, whilst Wright scored 13 for the Bears and reserve Jake Mulford added 8+3.
Ace Pijper, a member of the current Comets line-up, was also involved in Championship action last night for Glasgow and scored three points at reserve from four rides as the Tigers fended off Edinburgh to win 49-41 at Ashfield.
Another former Workington rider in good form at the moment is Simon Lambert and his super run for Scunthorpe continued in the emphatic 57-32 home win over Plymouth.
He racked up 14+3 from six rides with another ex-Comet Kyle Howarth top-scoring with nine for the Gladiators.
It’s a big night for Carlisle’s Mark Parker when he makes his NDL debut for Edinburgh in their home clash with champions Leicester.
He comes in at reserve, replacing Micky Simpson, while Edinburgh also hand a debut to new No.1 Max Clegg who comes in for the retired ex-Comet Kyle Bickley.
The Monarchs Academy operate rider replacement for the injured Alex Spooner, with Simpson lining up in the No.8 position.
Leicester have Dan Thompson and Ashton Boughen back after missing last week’s match at Workington, but Tom Spencer who broke his arm in that meeting at Northside is missing and the Lion Cups will use rider replacement.
