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Post by Administrator on Jan 24, 2009 12:15:18 GMT
Opened May 27 1934. Address: Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Herts. Rye House closed on October 10 1993 then reopened on May 29 2000 after they entered a team in the 1999 Conference League - most home matches took place at Mildenhall. Although the track was open as a training track in 1967/68, no public meetings were held. They were also one of the few tracks to run during the War, with meetings being held every War year except 1944, with racing resuming on August 5 1945. www.ryehouse.com/
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Post by Administrator on Jan 27, 2009 9:57:52 GMT
By JOHN HYAM
THERE’S quite a lot of research taking place at the moment in regard to the origins of Rye House. The general view is that it was opened by the Australian veteran Richard Case in 1937 when he also became landlord of the nearby pub of the same name. Case’s links with Rye House continued in post-war years, and he is reputed to have discovered many famous riders - although another school of thought is that he had very little to do with rider training. In fact, the Rye House speedway was very much the brainchild of High Beech pioneer and later Preston rider Jack Chiswell, who introduced speedway on a disused grass athletics track in 1934. Jack, who also rode in the first two meetings, was helped in the venture by his pals Ted Felstead and Percy Goman. The first season of Rye House appears to have been short-lived, especially after the sport was popularised at East London venue Lea Bridge. Jack’s brother Frank, another star of the Northern League in the late 1920s and early 1930s, was another Rye House regular. While Jack retired after riding at Lea Bridge in 1934, Frank made a brief speedway comeback for Belle Vue in 1938. A copy of the Rye House programme for the meeting on Sunday, May 27, 1934, starting time 3pm, carries an advert for Chiswell’s Garage, then in Brocket Rod, Hoddesdon. And to show how rare telephones were, it could be found on Hoddesdon 117. This was probably the second meeting at the track - there was a printing error in the programme advertising a meeting for May 10, which had been amended to June 10. Costing twopence (old money), the programme also had Mrs H J Chiswell as the timekeeper. There were 16 riders and one reserve booked for the meeting. Frank Chiswell is the only name I recognise. The other riders names just carried initials, but it’s certain that T Hart was Phil ‘Tiger’ Hart, the old Birmingham favourite. K Brett was most likely Ken Brett, who was well known around West Ham and Wimbledon in the years either side of World War Two (1939-45). None of the others mean much - it may be that the meeting was not sanctioned by the then controlling ACU and that riders competed under assumed names. For the record, the others listed were: W Blackman, R Bedwin, E Edwards, L Mason, J Pilkington, J Oxford, R Carter, S Wills, W Tinsley, V Houston, D Miller, G Rowney and R Bird (reserve).
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Post by thebaldeagle1932 on Jan 29, 2009 18:54:31 GMT
After his speedway career, Frank Chiswell raced Skirrow midget cars from 1937-39 and again in the immediate post-war seasons (including a short 1947 season in Paris, France). He also had a pub somewhere in the Cambridge area in the 1940s.
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Post by mrsgustix on Mar 3, 2009 16:06:55 GMT
Apart from the 1944 season, there were meetings at Rye House in the war years 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943. Starters included Eric Chitty, Roy Uden and 'Bronco' Slade. Is more known about these events?
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Post by mrsgustix on Mar 3, 2009 16:10:19 GMT
According to the Rye House website, this will be the basic 2009 team:
The 2009 Rockets team:
Number Name Average 1 Chris Neath 7.08 2 Linus Sundstrom 7.00 3 Tommy Allen 6.55 4 Robert Mear 5.78 5 Joe Haines 5.36 6 Luke Bowen 5.32 7 TBA
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Post by tungate on Mar 9, 2009 19:46:58 GMT
On at least 2 occasions in 1941 "Norwich" were visitors to Rye billed as Dicky Cases Speedway on the programme header - The programme cost 3 old-pence in each case. Saturday July 20 - Meeting Number 8 - Herts v Norwich Saturday 24 August - Meeting Number 13 - Rye House v Norwich Both meetings promoted by Harringay M.C & L. C Club Officials at each - E B Howlett (Steward--[Ref]), Clerk of Course (G. Kay), Timekeeper (J.M.Phillips), Chief Pit Marshall (A. Cooper) & Starting Line Marshall (P. Bradshaw) Secretary of Meeting - G. Kay, 337a Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13. Telephone - Palmers Green 1233. St Johns Ambulance Brigade, Hoddesden Section, in attendance. Commencing at 3.45 pm. The first half 20 July - Ron Clarkes Team v Dicky Wises Team The Home team 35- Ron Clarke (capt) 9max, J. White 1, Roy Craighead 9max, Bob Harris 3, D Harris 9max, G. Gower 4, R. Smith & N. Hall did not ride The Away team 19- D Wise 6, Roy Uden 2, J (?Syd) Littlewood 4, Broncho Slade 0, Ron Stringer 3, T. Isen 2& M. Price 2 Christian Names are guessed, except Captains which were printed in full in programme. Best Pairs - 3 heats - Herts 6(Clarke 3 & D Harris 3) v Norwich 11 (Craighead 9max & Wise 2) Syd Littlewood won the "Secondstrings Hurricane over 2 heats & a final in the second-half The programme announced - Amount collected for Prisoner of War Parcels Fund as £20.13s. 24 August Meeting Rye House 44 - Ron Clarke 6, Bob Harris 6, Roy Craighead 9, Ron Howes 4 (replaced Benny King, who had suffered a lack of machinery), Dicky Harris 10, Jim Millross 6, B. Hall 1& George Gower 2. v Norwich 27 - Bert Spencer 0 (failed to finish a race due to falls), Sid Hipperson 4, Dicky Wise 5, Syd Littlewood 3, Arch Windmill 7, Bert Hudson(Hutson?) 0, Roy Uden 6 & M. Price 2(replacing Ron Stringer) The P O W Parcels fund had reached £54.5s.6d by now and a further £6.1s.0d was collected on the day to put the fund over £60. The 1 lap, flying start record was programmed as 21.0 sec (42.85 mph) and jointly held by Ron Clarke & Bert Spencer. The programme also stated riders were allowed 3 minutes (not 2) to get started for a heat during the match Advertised for the next meeting was "Grand Final Au Revoir" Cup with Special Match Race between Roy Craighead & Dicky Harris as an extra, with riders v officials tug-o-war and a mechanics race.
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Post by thebaldeagle1932 on Mar 10, 2009 21:51:01 GMT
Would the 1941 Rye House matches include the one when Bronco Slade had problems with a fish van while trying to get his bike and equipment across London between railway stations? Now there's a story that needs to be told...
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Post by Administrator on Mar 23, 2009 21:09:10 GMT
From the Rye House website: March 23 2009
Mearkat and Bolton Wonder Seeded to U-21 Final
Silver Ski Rockets Robert Mear and Joe Haines have been listed among the eight seeds for the British U-21 Final at Lakeside on Friday, April 24th. On offer: the opportunity to wrest the national crown from defending champion Tai Woffinden, who claimed the gold as a Rocket last year, and also to qualify for the World Championship event, whose rounds take in Rye House on Sunday, May 17th.
The remaining eight places in the Final will be taken by the top four qualifiers from each of two rounds at Plymouth (April 10th) and the Isle of Wight (April 14th). 2009 Kart Raceway Cobras Danny Halsey, Jamie Courtney and Rob Smith will compete in the Plymouth round, while Lee Strudwick and Michael Bovis are both entered in the Island’s round.
Full draw:
Plymouth (April 10th)
1. Jamie Courtney, 2. Nicki Glanz, 3. Danny Halsey, 4. Charles Wright, 5. Paul Starke, 6. Jamie Pickard, 7. Scott Meakins, 8. Kyle Hughes, 9. Harland Cook, 10. Rob Smith, 11. Danny Stoneman, 12. Scott Richardson, 13. Gary Cottham, 14. Richard Franklin, 15. Charlie Saunders, 16. Jack Roberts.
Isle of Wight (April 14th)
1. John Resh, 2. Ben Hopwood, 3. Jerran Hart, 4. Jack Hargreaves, 5. Matt Bates, 6. Tim Webster, 7. Michael Bovis, 8. Lee Smart, 9. Lee Strudwick, 10. Ben Taylor, 11. Gary Irving, 12. Brendan Johnson, 13. Adam Lowe, 14. Kyle Newman, 15. Oliver Rayson, 16. Mark Baseby.
British U-21 Final (Lakeside, April 24th) Seeds
Tai Woffinden, Lewis Bridger, Ben Barker, Robert Mear, Adam Roynon, Joe Haines, Simon Lambert, Josh Auty
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Post by Administrator on Mar 23, 2009 21:12:53 GMT
From the Rye House website: March 23 2009.
Rockets Brush Aside Brummies in Season Opener
Rye House 57 Birmingham 39 (Premier Trophy, Sunday March 15th 2009)
The Silver Ski Rockets got their 2009 campaign off to the best possible start with a convincing Premier Trophy victory over 2007 and 2008 Finalists Birmingham. The Rockets had simply too much fire power in every department for the Brummies to handle, with their two new boys – and one “old” one – featuring prominently.
Joe Haines popped up with 9 paid points and plenty of excitement from four rides in his Rockets debut. The 17 year old came to Rye House specifically to master the smaller circuits, and it looks as through he’s achieved that aim after only one meeting. Just one year older, Linus Sundstrom had a competitive British debut to remember, matching Haines’ points total and also featuring in some terrific passing manoeuvres. As for the “old boy”, well, Andrew Silver did all that was expected of him – and plenty more – in shaking off 15 years of racing inactivity to weigh in with 7 paid points himself.
The 2008 returning Rockets were just as strong, with Robert Mear topping the score-chart with paid 12, Chris Neath delivering a captain’s innings of paid 11 and Tommy Allen a further paid 8. Hidden in the pack was the diamond of reserve Luke Bowen. The Rider of the Year last term rattled off three wins in four outings to pile up 10 points.
In all, six different Rockets won races, and all seven were paid for at least one win, which made it all too easy against a Birmingham team firing on only two cylinders. Tomasz Piscz followed up his dazzling 16 point appearance last time at Hoddesdon to go one point better this time around, but the ever-reliable Jason Lyons was the visitors’ only other race winner. The duo collected a total of 31 points, leaving their five team-mates to total just a further 8 between them.
If the score was fairly one-sided, however, there was still plenty of passing to keep the large crowd entertained. Robert Mear provided the first talking point, stalking Piscz for the full four laps of Heat 3 before sneaking inside on last bend to inflict the Pole’s only defeat of the day. Jason Lyons went one better when nominated as a Tactical Rider two races later, overhauling both Linus Sundstrom and Mear over the last two laps to claim his six points. Not to be outdone, both Joe Haines and Sundstrum followed suit with last-to-second performances, in Heats 8 and 12 respectively, in each case following home partner Luke Bowen for 5-1s.
The only black spot of the Rockets’ day came when Chris Neath and Tomasz Piscz connected heading into the first bend of Heat 15. The Rye captain took a very heavy tumble, but was fortunately able to exit the scene with no more than bruising and a red exclusion light.
Rye House scorers:
Chris Neath 10+1 (5 rides) Joe Haines 7+2 (4) Linus Sundstrom 7+2 (4) Robert Mear 11+1 (5) Tommy Allen 7+1 (4) Andrew Silver 5+2 (4) Luke Bowen 10 (4)
Birmingham scorers:
Jason Lyons 14 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Richard Sweetman 0 (4) Robert Ksiezak 2 (4) Tomasz Piscz 17 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Ludvig Lindgren 1 (4) Ben Taylor 1 (4) Marek Mroz 4 (5)
Match Points: Rye House 3 Birmingham 0
The Things They Said
Chris Neath
“’Battered and bruised’ is a fair description of how I feel right now, but fortunately nothing more serious than that. I was thankful to walk away from that one (Heat 15). Fortunately, we’ve got a great safety record and safety fence here, so I can’t complain.
“To be honest, I didn’t know exactly what happened. I just felt something hit me and the next moment I was heading toward the fence. I just closed my eyes, tried to relax and let events take their course. It was just one of those racing things – Tomasz (Picsz) wanted to win and I wanted to win, and people don’t give – and we shook hands afterwards.
“It was feeling really good for me up to that point. I was trying to chase Tomasz down in the race he beat me in (Heat 10) and I was desperate to win Heat 15 to get him back. On the whole, the bikes felt good, although I’ve just written a new one off now.
“Overall, as a team, it wasn’t a bad afternoon for the youngsters, the oldsters and those in-between. We really want to prove a point this year, and I think we are a team of steady progression that will just get better and better. I’m really proud of the team; Andrew and Linus have settled down quickly, and Joe did very well too. Once they get out of the starts, I’m sure that we’re going to see plenty of race wins from all the Rockets.
“This Saturday’s match against Newport will be an emotional one for me because (late promoter) Tim Stone was a really good friend, and someone who helped me out so much early in my career. A bit like Len and the guys here, he wasn’t just a friend through speedway but a personal friend for both me and my family. Tim would want nothing more for the Wasps to have a good season this year, and for myself too, so we’re always thinking about him and the club. Hopefully, things will brighten up and they will get the crowds back in.
“I just want to add that I’ve heard that Craig Watson may have broken his femur today. Best wishes to him on a speedy recovery if that’s the case. “
Robert Mear
“It was great to start off with such a good win. It was unfortunate about Chris, but these things happen. Everyone pulled their weight. Joe did really well on his debut for us, while Linus is perhaps a bit shy still, although it didn’t show in his scoring and once he really gets going he’ll be on top form. And you couldn’t ask any more from Andrew; he had a bit of trouble in one race when he packed up when he was chasing third place, but he had a great day overall.
“I did pretty well myself. Eleven and a bonus is not a bad way to start off the new season, and it puts a bit of money in the bank! I particularly enjoyed Heat 3; I felt quicker than Tomasz Piscz and I knew as early as the second lap that I could at least get really close to him.
“The key thing, though, is that as a team we got our first win today. Now we need to keep it that way.”
John Sampford (Team Manager)
“I was really pleased with the team performance today. We thought we had a good side for the year, but you never know until you actually go into track action. Birmingham were disappointing, certainly, but I don’t write two much into that. They’ll come back; if I know Graham Drury he’ll have them stoked up and they won’t be the same side when we go there for the return or, indeed, in the Cup.”
Southern Track Riders in Town
Next Sunday (March 22nd) sees the first amateur meeting of the new season at Rye House, courtesy of the Southern Track Riders club. With fifty races typically scheduled, the public admission price works out at just 10p a heat!
The meeting starts at 12 noon. Admission will be through the first bend turnstiles.
Bring ‘Em On: Newport
The Silver Ski Rockets return to their regular Saturday night slot (March 21st, at 7pm) for their next home match against Newport in the Premier Trophy. The Wasps have been re-launched in 2009 following a 2008 campaign that came to an abrupt end with the sudden passing of promoter Tim Stone. This will be their first competitive match since that unfortunate moment; their last was also at Hoddesdon in the KO Cup.
This year’s Newport side has a hybrid Aussie-American-British flavour and features former Inter-Continental and Overseas Finalist Mark Lemon (who has signed from Reading) and American ace Chris Kerr (new from Redcar), although long-time Wasps star Craig Watson is already sidelined with a suspected broken thigh following a frightening fall in the Prince of Wales Trophy individual meeting staged on Sunday. Unless they are able to quickly hit on a suitable replacement signing, the Wasps will be forced to operate the Rider-Replacement facility as coverage.
Elsewhere, developing second string Jordan Frampton has joined the club following two years with Somerset and is joined in that role by former Rockets captain Brent Werner, while the reserve berths are taken by James Holder (the younger brother of double World U-21 silver medallist Chris) and Nick Simmons, whose association with the Welsh side goes back to a spot in the Conference League Mavericks side in 1998.
Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House
Saturday, March 21st Rockets vs Newport (Premier Trophy) 7.00pm
Sunday, March 22nd Southern Track Riders Meeting 12.00pm
Saturday, March 28th Rockets vs Somerset (Premier Trophy) 7.00pm
Saturday, April 4th Rockets vs King’s Lynn (Premier Trophy) 7.00pm
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Post by Administrator on Mar 25, 2009 21:20:08 GMT
From the Rye House website Wednesday March 25. For the Rye House link see the first item posted on here carrying track details. Or try here:www.ryehouse.com/Mear Inspires Rockets Home Against Wasps The Silver Ski Rockets overcame a spirited fight-back by the Wasps to maintain their positive start to the new campaign, and they did it despite the absence of Chris Neath. The Rye House captain was a late withdrawal with a leg infection following on from his injury against Birmingham, and the team are now sweating that he will be fit to return for Wednesday’s match in the Second City.
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Post by crossedhammers on Apr 2, 2009 20:12:40 GMT
I have just been on to the Rye House website via the link on here. It has not been updated since March 25 - the only news is (one line) that the match v Somerset had been hit by rain.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 26, 2009 14:12:34 GMT
Sunday April 26: From the Rye House website:::
Haines Takes Bronze, Mear 5th in U-21 Final
1. Lewis Bridger 2. Tai Woffinden 3. Joe Haines (British U-21 Final, Lakeside, Friday April 24th 2009)
Silver Ski Rocket Joe Haines delivered a tremendous third place finish, and Robert Mear was unlucky not to have a shot at the rostrum, in the British U-21 Final at Lakeside on Friday night.
Haines overcame a fall in Heat 10 to finish the main programme with two race wins and 10 points, and qualify for the Semi-Final run-off. He was joined there by Mear, who had dropped his only points to Lewis Bridger and Ben Barker, but missed out on a direct seeding to the Grand Final through the latter defeat.
There was more bad luck for the Mearkat in the run-off. The 20 year old lifted on the second lap after hitting a rut, that one moment costing him a possible place in the Grand Final. Haines took advantage to make the cut, followed through by defending champion Tai Woffinden, who had survived the earlier disaster of grinding to a halt while leading his second race.
The Grand Final was won by Lewis Bridger, who was undefeated throughout the night, with Woffinden taking second place and Haines third. At just 17, there will be plenty more Big Night opportunities as well for the rider dubbed the Bolton Wonder and Smokin� Joe. He was both of those at Lakeside.
Mention should also be given to the third Rye House competitor in the field. Jamie Courtney enjoyed a solid evening, scoring in all his races to finish in 10th place with 6 points.
Scorers (main 20 heat programme):
Lewis Bridger 15, Ben Barker 13 (both straight to Grand Final), ROBERT MEAR 13, JOE HAINES 10, Tai Woffinden 10, Josh Auty 10 (through to Semi-Final), Simon Lambert 9, Kyle Hughes 9, Lee Smart 8, JAMIE COURTNEY 6, Mark Baseby 4, Brendan Johnson 4, Paul Starke 3, Kyle Newman 3, Ben Hopwood 2, Charles Wright 1 (1 ride).
Reserves: Ben Taylor 1 (2 rides), Greg Blair 0 (2 rides).
Semi-Final: JOE Haines, Tai Woffinden, ROBERT MEAR, Josh Auty.
Grand Final: Lewis Bridger, Tai Woffinden, JOE HAINES, Ben Barker (frem).
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Post by Administrator on May 3, 2009 15:50:33 GMT
Bank Holiday Monday (May 4) brings the second part of the weekend's double header at Rye House, as the Silver Ski Rockets open their race for the Premier League gold against Berwick. The Bandits have made a strong start to the 2009 campaign, and are sitting pretty behind leaders Edinburgh in the northern group of the Premier Trophy. Their team includes 2008 World U-21 Finalist William Lawson, 9th year Bandit and former Czech national champion Michal Makovsky, 2007 Grand Prix Wildcard Josef Franc, Paul Clews (who top-scored for the side with 11 on their last visit) and 2008 Italian GP Wildcard Gulgielmo Franchetti.
The action gets underway at 2pm.
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Post by Administrator on May 12, 2009 7:55:58 GMT
Sunday, May 17th brings the biggest meeting in the 2009 Rye House calendar, with the staging of the F.I.M. World U-21 Championship Qualifying Round. 16 riders go into this event looking to make the cut for the Semi-Final stage. Here is the lowdown on each competitor:
- Lewis Bridger (GB): British U-21 Champion and double World Finalist - Tai Woffinden (GB): 2008 British U-21 and U-18 Champion; Premier League Riders Champion - Joe Haines (GB): British U-21 Bronze medallist and senior British Finalist; 2006 British U-15 Champion - Robert Mear (GB): 6th in the British U-21 event; Premier League No.1 for Rye House - Darcy Ward (Aus): 9 point-plus Premier League; Australian U-21 Champion; only just 17 - Kozza Smith (Aus): Australian U-21 Silver medallist; just back from injury - Artur Mroczka (Pol): European U-19 Champion and Polish Bronze Helmet winner - Pawel Zmarzlik (Pol): 5th in April's Polish domestic round - Adam Kajoch (Pol): 2008 World U-21 Semi-Finalist; 9th in 2007 European U-19 Championship - Pavel Pocko (Czech Rep): European U-19 Semi-Finalist this year - Wim Kennis (Belg): Also a competitor in this season's European U-19 event - Kai Huckenbeck (Ger): 16 years old; former national schoolboy 250cc and 125cc Champion - Ricky Wells (US): Elite League Coventry Bee; double US U-21 Champion and 2008 World Semi-Finalist - Plus three others to be named very shortly
The practice session for this event is Saturday, May 16th, with an 11am start. The meeting starts at 2pm on Sunday.
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Post by Administrator on May 19, 2009 16:40:41 GMT
FROM THE RYE HOUSE WEBSITE:
Joy for Mear, Pain for Haines
World U-21 Qualifying Round (Rye House, Sunday May 17th 2009)
1. Robert Mear (Great Britain) 2. Darcy Ward (Australia) 3. Tai Woffinden
Silver Ski Rocket Robert Mear delivered the most important performance of his relatively brief shale career to head home the pack in Sunday's World U-21 Qualifier at Rye House. The Hatfield based 20 year old defeated Darcy Ward in a run-off for first place after both riders had tied on 13 points. The result also takes Mear through to the Semi-Finals, where he will compete either at Miskolc in Hungary (June 20th) or Kumla in Sweden (June 27th).
Two other Brits made the cut for the Semis alongside him. Tai Woffinden returned to his former stamping ground to provide his trademark display of from-the-back surges and second bend cut-backs. Having racked up four straight wins, a first place finish overall looked firmly in his grasp only for a Heat 17 puncture to intervene.
British U-21 Champion Lewis Bridger, meanwhile, looked down and out after his first two rides were rewarded with just 2 points. As he did in a similar situation in last year's Semi-Final at Rye House, however, the Young Lion really turned on the style in the closing stages, with three successive wins finally easing him through with a couple of points to spare.
Joe Haines' hopes, though, lasted less than a lap. The 17 year old was the innocent party when race leader Kai Huckenbeck spun round on the fourth bend of Heat 14, leaving Haines with nowhere to go. The net result, which could have been much worse given the impact of the collision, was a suspected broken hand, possible additional arm injuries and probable concussion. There was a lengthy delay while a second ambulance was called to take Haines to hospital.
Meeting reserve Jamie Courtney filled in for Haines for the rest of the afternoon, and came close to making the cut. The Kart Raceway Cobra enjoyed a race win in a battling 7 point haul that left him just 2 points adrift of a run-off for the last qualification place. Final Brit Lee Smart a late call-up to replace Belgian Wim Kennis also impressed with two wins and 7 points of his own.
Joining Mear, Ward, Woffinden and Bridger as through to the Semi-Finals were European U-19 titlist Artur Mroczka and American representative Ricky Wells, who headed home Pawel Zmarzlik and Kozza Smith in a run-off for the sixth and final qualification spot. Zmarzlik will now be a reserve for the next round.
Results:
Robert Mear 13 (after run-off), Darcy Ward 13, Tai Woffinden 12, Lewis Bridger 11, Artur Mroczka 10, Ricky Wells 9 (after run-off), Pawel Zmarzlik 9, Kozza Smith 9, Jamie Courtney (reserve) 7, Lee Smart 7, Jade Mudgway 6, Pavol Pocko 5, Adam Kajoch 4, Grant Tergoning 3, Kai Huckenbeck 1, Tim Gomez 1, Joe Haines 0.
The second reserve, Matt Bates, did not ride.
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