The current upsurge of interest in Cycle Speedway in the Coventry area was again underlined last Sunday afternoon at Hearsall Common – with record numbers of local riders entering the Chris Allen Memorial Trophy.
In a hectic schedule, the event had to be expanded to include no fewer than four finals. Riders raced for honours in under 8s, under 11s, under 16s and senior categories for the first time ever.
Almost 50 local riders took part, a record. For the first time in over thirty years, three local clubs were represented, with youngsters from the Brandon Bees, based at Bretford Playing Fields, and new club Nuneaton BMX, making their debut at Cycle Speedway, joining riders from the long-established Coventry club.
Brandon Bees tracked a record 16 riders, the most competing for the revived Bees outfit since the `Dirt Bike Club` a new concept to inspire new junior riders, ignited a tremendous comeback of the Bees in July.
The Brandon Bees, who first rode on a track at the Coventry Speedway stadium in the 1960s, are now a semi-independent club, operating with management support from parent club Coventry.
Nuneaton BMX club racers also joined the action with four riders entering the junior sections. They transferred their skills from BMX to Cycle Speedway masterfully and in Jack Wilkins, in the under 11s final, provided a podium finisher in a remarkable performance.
Louis Westhead, just 7 years old, once again beat more experienced riders in racing away to an accomplished unbeaten 20-point maximum score. He won all his races and was never headed as he added the Chris Allen Trophy to his Coventry under 8s championship he won at Brandon last month.
Coventry pair Alfie Brown and Jude Willcockson tied on 18 points to join Westhead on the podium. Surprise packet Brown then defeated the ever challenging Willcockson in the tie-breaker.
Chris Allen Memorial Trophy
Under 8s Final
Official Result
Louis Westhead (Brandon Bees) 20
Alfie Brown (Coventry) 18
Jude Willcockson (Coventry) 18
Finn Youson (Coventry 17
Autumn Smith (Coventry) 16
Gabriella Houli (Nuneaton BMX) 15
Lincoln Collins (Brandon Bees) 14
Leo Brown (Coventry) 14
Shivan Patel (Coventry) 11
Dylan Savage (Brandon Bees) 10
Ruary Hughes (Coventry) 10
Max Augustus (Brandon Bees) 9
Hiro Mayuyama (Coventry) 9
Wyatt Jacobs, now mounted on his own bike, was a commanding champion in the under 11s final. He recorded a brilliant 20-point maximum score, with Nuneaton BMX club rider Wilkins in second place, with Brandon Bees Jony Middleton in third.
Chris Allen Memorial Trophy
Under 11s Final
Official Result
Wyatt Jacobs (Coventry) 20
Jack Wilkins (Nuneaton BMX) 19
Jony Middleton (Brandon Bees) 18
Rebbeca Humphries (Birmingham) 17
Jack Reynolds (Coventry) 16
Jacob Slezak (Coventry) 15
James Morris (Coventry) 13
Lewis Fry (Coventry) 13
Lewis Middleton (Brandon Bees) 12
Joseph Augustus (Brandon Bees) 11
Reece Mayer (Coventry) 10
Jake Hodder (Brandon Bees) 10
Thomas Pearson (Brandon Bees) 8
Sarah Butler (Brandon Bees) 7
Adam Butler (Brandon Bees) 6
The under 16s final proved to be the most hotly contested final of the afternoon, producing the keenest racing and ending in a three-rider tie for first place.
Featuring three gilt-edged prospects from the Coventry club, the race-off had to be rerun after Ben Wells crashed on the first lap. In the resulting restart, it was Jimmy Wassall who emerged a popular winner, racing home ahead of Ollie Morris.
Chris Allen Memorial Trophy
Under 16s Final
Official Result
Jimmy Wassall (Coventry) 19
Ollie Morris (Coventry) 19
Ben Wells (Coventry)
Cameron Gill (Brandon Bees) 17
Sammi Marsh (Coventry) 16
Sammi Marsh (Coventry) 16
Owen Gregory (Brandon Bees) 15
Markella Houli (Nuneaton BMX) 14
Tom Savage (Brandon Bees) 12
Lee Gregory (Brandon Bees) 11
Jacob Clifford (Coventry) 11
George Hunt (Nuneaton BMX) 10
James Bridge-Wilkinson (Coventry) 10
Amy Baynes (Brandon Bees) 9
Amy Baynes (Brandon Bees) 9
Sam Slater (Coventry) 7
More cut-throat racing followed in the senior final, which featured riders from several Midlands clubs, as well as Coventry area riders. This final meeting of the day was attended by members of the Allen family, including Chris Allen`s brother Mike, and sister, Jane. They thanked the Coventry club for all their hard work in promoting a fitting memorial event.
Chris Allen Memorial Trophy
Senior Final
Official Result
Ricky Johnson (Birmingham) 20
Craig Marchant (Leicester) 19
Dave Frith (Leicester) 18
Mark Winwood (Birmingham) 16
Norman Venson (Leicester) 15
Ewan Hancock (Birmingham) 14
Mike Baldock (Leicester) 14
Dan Drewett (Coventry) 13
Josh Marsh (Coventry) 12
Paul Timms (Birmingham) 12
Kyle Roberts (Coventry) 10
Kyle Barlow (Coventry) 8
Matt Hambidge (Coventry) 7
Joe Andrews (Coventry) 7
Jake Slater (Coventry) 7
Sam Hardie (Coventry) 7