REACTION: “It was a real shame for Jody, because he’d won both his races and was flying. The thoughts of everyone at Oxford Speedway – the management, fans and supporters go to Jack Kingston – we wish him a speedy recovery.”

LEAGUE leaders WSRA Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales, seemed to be well on their way to their fourth away victory of the season, when their meeting at the Old Gun Site in Iwade was abandoned after four races due to lack of medical cover yesterday afternoon (Sunday), following a serious accident to Kent Royals’ rider Jack Kingston.

Chargers were 15-9 ahead going into the ill-fated Heat 5. At the first time of asking, 15-year-old No 8 Ashton Vale – taking his first-ever ride in the National League – trapped, but Jordan Jenkins got into difficulties on the outside and came down on the first turn. Jenkins was perhaps slightly fortunate with the all-four-back verdict.

In the re-run, Vale was left on the start-line by machinery problems. Kingston trapped, but Jenkins roared under him on third bend to take the lead.

At the start of the second lap, Kingston picked up some unexpected drive and lifted and smashed in the air fence on the second bend at high speed, becoming trapped under the fence, while his bike was still revving away after the cut-off had not done its usual job. Team-mate Tom Woolley had the presence of mind to kill the engine.

After lengthy treatment, Kingston was whisked off to hospital, where it was found he had fractured a vertebra, broken three ribs and punctured his leg.

Kent Speedway operates with a single ambulance, and by the time it could have returned, it would have been too late and therefore the meeting was abandoned. The result does not stand.

Loose shale on the track surface had already been causing problems for riders, with every race except Heat 1 containing at least one faller. Despite the challenging conditions, Jody Scott had taken two fine race wins, coming from behind in both races.

Both Scott and Jenkins passed Kent No 1 Ben Morley in Heat 1, as Chargers started their afternoon with a 5-1.

Jason Garrad took the race victory for Chargers in Heat 2, while Jacob Clouting fell after a 360-degree spin on the second bend while looking handily placed, and he did well to clear the track in time to let the race continue.

Team-mates Woolley and Kingston clattered into each other on the opening bend of Heat 3, and Kingston was excluded. In the re-run, Woolley chopped inside Scott on the second bend, but Scott put his more experienced opponent under pressure, and Woolley went wide on the second bend of the third lap and Scott nipped inside, as Chargers moved further ahead with a 4-2.

Clouting and Henry Atkins steamed ahead into the first turn of Heat 4, but Clouting hit the fence on the exit of bend two and came down. He again did well to clear the track in time, as Atkins won to keep Chargers six points ahead.

Speaking post-meeting, Chargers’ team manager Peter Schroeck said: “It was very unfortunate what happened to Jack Kingston today, and first things first, we hope Jack isn’t too badly hurt and is okay.

“They only have one ambulance here, so they had to call it a day because it wasn’t going to be back in time. But it wasn’t a bad thing that the meeting had to be halted.

“Kent had some problems in re-laying the track – it just hadn’t bound together and it was causing the riders some difficulties. They tried to do the right thing with the track during the week, but it proved to be the wrong thing. It was such a shame because it was a good crowd today and the weather was nice.

“I’m not one to throw myself around too much at other tracks, but, at the same time, I am quite protective towards my riders, so I had my say. But, at the end of the day, it was up to Kent to decide what to do today.

“After Jack’s accident, I got all the boys together and told them if we did have to race on the track again, to be sensible.

“It was a real shame for Jody, because he’d won both his races and was flying. But the call off meant no-one else could get hurt. The thoughts of everyone at Oxford Speedway – the management, fans and supporters go to Jack – we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Kent Royals 9: Ben Morley 1, Connor King 0, Tom Woolley 2, Jack Kingston 0, Nathan Ablitt 2, Rhys Naylor 2, Sam Woolley 2+2.

WSRA Oxford Chargers, powered by SD Timmo Car Sales 15: Jordan Jenkins 2+1, Kelsey Dugard R/R, Ryan Kinsley 1, Jody Scott 6, Henry Atkins 3, Jason Garrad 3, Jacob Clouting 0, Ashton Vale (No 8) – only rode in the not completed Heat 5.

Abandoned after Heat 4 – result does not stand.

PHOTO: Jody Scott (PIC: Les Aubrey)