BELLE VUE are set for another huge night of racing as they stage the Cab Direct British Final at the National Speedway Stadium on Saturday (7pm).
With weather conditions set fair, the perfect stage of the NSS racetrack, and the huge bonus of live television coverage on ITV4 and ITVX, everything is ready for another blockbuster event.
Last year’s Final rewrote the script for what is possible even at the Manchester circuit as the race featured an incredible 17 overtaking moves, several on the last lap, before Robert Lambert took the title.
And ATPI Aces CEO Mark Lemon is looking forward to more spectacular action on Saturday before the national champion is crowned.
He said: “Racing-wise I think we topped everything with last year’s Final which any one of the four riders could have won as they headed into the last bend, with Robert Lambert eventually coming out on top.
“Robert is back to defend his title, which is great to see, and I’m sure he will start as favourite in many people’s eyes given his very impressive current form, and the fact that he’s a serious World title contender along with Brady Kurtz and Bartosz Zmarzlik.
“But he has to get to the Final first and then it’s all about one race so there is always plenty of jeopardy.
“We had a hugely successful Grand Prix weekend here in June with two memorable events including racing that was of the highest possible standard, and I know the British riders will be ultra-keen to put on a big show.”
Lambert, who enjoyed a memorable brief spell with the ATPI Aces when he helped them to the Premiership title in 2022, will start as favourite based on his red-hot form which has taken him into World title contention.
But he admits that can all go out of the window, especially with the meeting to be decided in one crucial race at the end of the night.
Lambert said: “Going into last year I didn’t really have the best of form. We went there open-minded, got through to the final and what a spectacular race that was.
“Only the Manchester track can provide that kind of entertainment. Having 17 passes in one race is incredible in one minute of action.
“It’s such an incredible sport for people to watch and to be part of that race was something special.
“It’ll be the same approach as a GP. It’s tough when it comes down to one race.
“You can win all your five heats and then make a bad decision on the track and leave you without the Championship.
“You need to be fully focused for that last race and build-up during the night to be in a good position with the bike set-up.”
Former champions Craig Cook, Adam Ellis, Danny King, Charles Wright and Chris Harris – with multiple rostrum finishes between them – will look to add to their personal success records in the event.
And it’s a big night for ATPI Aces Rising Star Will Cairns who gets to rub shoulders with the best of British – and whilst he admits he’s not setting any expectations, he’ll still be determined to make his mark on track.
Tickets for the Cab Direct British Final are available from https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/tickets . The event will be screened live on ITV4 and ITVX from 7pm and supporters are urged to spread the word for those who are unable to attend.
CAB DIRECT BRITISH FINAL LINE-UP: 1 Anders Rowe, 2 Cooper Rushen, 3 Craig Cook, 4 Robert Lambert, 5 Adam Ellis, 6 Drew Kemp, 7 Will Cairns, 8 Dan Thompson, 9 Jason Edwards, 10 Danny King, 11 Charles Wright, 12 Jake Mulford, 13 Jody Scott, 14 Leon Flint, 15 Chris Harris, 16 Tom Brennan.