REPORT: Jody Scott third, after British Under-19 Final at Oxford comes to an eventful conclusion

JODY SCOTT was the highest-placed home rider in the British Under-19 Final at Oxford Stadium yesterday afternoon (Sunday), finishing third, while the new British Under-19 Champion was Scottish-based Ace Pijper.

The meeting only went 16 of its 20 programmed races, after it was abandoned to deteriorating conditions due to persistent rain, which gradually increased in intensity. Before the rain started to take effect, it was a fascinating meeting and concluded a fantastic weekend of action at Sandy Lane.

Both Pijper and Luke Harrison finished on 11 points from their four rides, with Pijper deemed the meeting winner on countback, since he defeated Harrison when the two riders met in Heat 4.

Luke Killeen was the pre-meeting favourite, following his heroics for Monarch Oxford Cheetahs in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final against Poole Pirates at Sandy Lane on Saturday evening.

Killeen dropped a point to Harrison in Heat 6, but was still very much in contention. But, in Heat 16, Killeen was beaten from the tapes from the tapes by 15-year-old William Cairns and then Jody Scott flew around the outside to move from third to first.

Killeen switched to the outside to follow, but seemed to catch the back of Cairns’ bike and both crashed down, along with the following Senna Summers. Summers was first up and then Killeen also got to his feet and later reported he was “a bit sore but I’ll be fine”. But the unfortunate Cairns was knocked out on impact. He regained consciousness and was taken to hospital for a check-up.

With Killeen excluded, Scott won the re-run in a time of 71.63 seconds – over 10 seconds slower than Heat 1. It was clear that track was no longer suitable for racing, and the meeting was abandoned and the result declared.

17-year-old Scott finished third on 10 points, while 19-year-old Killeen was fourth on eight points. Of the rest of the Oxford contingent, 16-year-old Ashton Vale collected seven points – including an impressive win over Freddy Hodder in Heat 15 as conditions started to become tricky – and 19-year-old Senna Summers scored five points.

Ashton Boughen withdrew as a precautionary measure, following a further fall on Saturday evening on top of recent injuries.

Jody Scott – a regular with the Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales this season who has also been injury cover for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs – said: “I’m very happy to finish third in this meeting. It’s a massive confidence booster. I had a meeting here last night with the Cheetahs and it really paid off having a meeting here one day beforehand because I had some track knowledge.

“Best wishes to William Cairns who had a nasty crash and well done to Ace (Pijper) and Luke (Harrison) on finishing first and second. I used to race them on the 250cc bikes and we’ve pretty much grown up racing together.

“The track was quite icy in my last race. I just had to take it easy and keep wide where the dirt was and get over the finish line in front. I’m more used to riding out wide now. I had a 5-1 with Scott Nicholls one week where we team-rode and he pushed me wider than my usual line and since then, I want to ride slightly wider than I used to, where there’s more grip.

“I’ve got two years in this meeting and I’ll be trying to win it next year. The crowd for the Championship final last night was absolute mega. Thanks to everyone who came back today and got behind us again – we really appreciate it.

“We’ve got some exciting meetings still to come. There’s the second leg of the Grand Final at Poole on Wednesday and it’s nice we’ve got a 12-point lead. There’s also the Knockout Cup Final against Poole. We’ve just got to keep our heads high and see what we can do.

“Overall, this year is definitely my best year in the speedway so far. I’m very thankful to Pete (Schroeck) and Jamie (Courtney) for the opportunities that I’ve been given with the Cheetahs this season and I’ll continue to give 100 per cent in all my races and go out to try to win them.”

There will be one further meeting at Oxford Stadium this season – the final of the Cab Direct Championship Knockout Cup against Poole Pirates. The dates for the two legs have yet to be finalised.

In the meantime, Cheetahs travel to Poole’s Wimborne Road on Wednesday (September 9) in the second leg of the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final, with Cheetahs holding a 51-39 advantage, as they seek to become league champions.

There are a couple of other forthcoming events. Treble World Champion Tai Woffinden stages a live talk show at Oxford Stadium on Tuesday evening (October 8), with a night of speedway chat, some previously untold stories and some exclusive views. Tickets are on sale at: https://portal.offbeattickets.com/o/Woffinden

Oxford Speedway stages its End Of Season Party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry on Friday, October 25. Tickets are on sale at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL RESULT: Ace Pijper 11 (on countback), Luke Harrison 11, Jody Scott 10, Luke Killeen 8, Freddy Hodder 8, Ashton Vale 7, Sonny Springer 7, Max Perry 7, William Cairns 6, Vinnie Foord 5, Senna Summers 5, Stene Pijper 3, Max James 3, Harrison Rogers 2, Jamie Etherington 2, Joe Crewe (res) 1, Lee Harrison 0.

PHOTO: Jody Scott with dad Shaun (pic: Steve Edmunds)