A former Workington rider has been celebrating success as a promoter in the National Development League.
Jamie Courtney rode in 10 matches for the Comets at reserve in the 2005 season.
He had a strong local connection as his father Mark went to St Joseph’s School in Workington and started his long speedway career riding in second-half races at Derwent Park.
Now Jamie is promoter of the Oxford Chargers who have just clinched the National Development League title at Cowley on Tuesday.
Courtney admits a huge effort went into getting the meeting on after heavy rain, with the home side edging out Leicester in what became a one-off Grand Final.
He said: “If anyone who saw the rain that we had at around 1.30pm on Tuesday afternoon, they would have said: ‘That’s it: we’re not going to see any speedway tonight.’
“I was halfway through sending a message to the boys to tell them we were going to cancel the meeting.
“But I then remembered that I’d said to myself on Monday night that we’d do whatever was in our powers to get the meeting on with a good, safe racetrack. And I stuck to my guns and we managed to get the track back into a raceable condition.
“It held up and it was safe, and fair play to the riders from both sides, who rode it very sensibly.
“Also, credit to the BSPL for their decision on Monday, to make it a one-off final at Oxford, so everyone knew where they stood. That was actually requested by Leicester, and fair play for them wanting to see the title decided on the track.
“Well done to the WSRA Chargers – I’m very proud of them and so pleased for each rider that they’ve ended the season with a gold medal to show for their efforts.”
Courtney also sent his best wishes to the Lion Cubs’ Max Perry, who was injured in a Heat 12 crash which ultimately proved the last action of the evening as rain moved in whilst he was being attended to.
Said Courtney: “I’m a bit gutted that the meeting ended like that. It was such a pity to see Max depart in the ambulance, and while he was receiving full care and attention from our excellent medical team, the rain came in and then got heavier and that was that. Otherwise, we would have got all 15 races in.
“The accident was just that. Max was going for it on the first bend and you can never knock a rider for trying, especially when silverware is on the line. I send my best wishes to him from both myself and behalf of the club, and I wish Max a speedy recovery.”
