NEWS: Race to beat Indoor Finals entry deadline
The race is on to beat the British Indoor entry deadline of this Wednesday midnight, 3rd December. Club managers, officials and riders throughout the country are all making plans as excitement builds ahead of the British Indoor finals, to be staged at the Sports Connexion, Coventry, on 3/4 January 2015.
33/18 News understands that entries have picked-up dramatically in the past 24 hours and the championship promotors are now confident last years high entry list will be surpassed. The championship promotors are also to issue a full official update on the finals on Thursday 4th December via 3318 News. This is expected to include positive news over the medium future of the championships.
Reports from throughout the UK has seen Hosrspath Hammers supremo Geoff Gamage confirm the entrance of the mighty Hammers yesterday for their defence of the British Senior team final, whilst Gamage also reports defending champion Mark Boaler, plus Zac Payne and Ryan Taylor, have entered the corresponding senior individuals.
Leicester boss Tim Jarvis has entered the Monarchs into the British team event. In a flurry of activity yesterday evening, Leicester girl racers Jenna Whitehead, Elizabeth Rigley and Michelle Whitehead all signed-up for the Woman’s final.
Over in East Anglia, leading Norwich official Gary Colby is finalising his clubs entry list today, which is expected to include Paddy Wenn, who has individually confirmed he entered the veteran championship today (Saturday). Swindon manager Danny Harper is also said to be co-ordinating his squad of riders today.
The thriving Coventry club made multiple entries on Thursday evening, with junior team manager Andy Drewett entering a Coventry U19s team, in addition to Sammi Marsh, Dan Drewett, Ollie Morris, Josh Marsh, Jack Reynolds and Charlie Barnett to various individuals. One of the favourites for the under 16s final, Kyle Roberts, confirmed his participation earlier this week.
Down on the south coast, glamour club Poole were well represented last year. Graham Sutton reports that several Poole juniors have already entered and he expects to finalise his team details this Sunday. Up at East Park in the Midlands, boss Al Bentley reports a healthy Wolves contingent, whilst Birmingham are also making final plans with Chris Timms set to appear.
A late boost is the news that three Edinburgh riders are set to venture south. There were no Scottish riders last year.
An organising promotor said: “Its clear interest and excitement is building up nicely ahead of the British Indoor finals. Everything is now in place, including commercial sponsorship, insurance, airfence and agreed venue arrangements. A wonderful weekend gala of Cycle Speedway is in prospect”.
Meanwhile, the bustling indoor scene sees plenty of opportunities for last-minute indoor finals practice this weekend. Wednesfield CSC are staging indoor practice at Cheslyn Hay (3-5pm), whilst the very popular Coventry sessions follow suit from 7-9pm. All riders are welcome at both events, which both take place tomorrow Sunday 30th November.