REPORT: Chargers Remain Unbeaten

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales 49 – 40 Belle Vue Cool Running Colts

A dominant display from the Oxford Chargers saw them remain their unbeaten record in the 2024 WSRA National Development League and move them to second in the table with one match in hand over League leaders Leicester Lion Cubs.

The Colts have yet to register a win in the competition despite boasting a strong top two of British Under 21 Champion Sam Hagon and Freddy Hodder. It was Hagon who took the honours in heat one and with Chargers guest Max Broadhurst falling on the first lap, it meant the Colts took the lead after the first heat.

It was to be the only time that they were ahead, as the Chargers reserves stormed to a maximum five one in heat two, putting the Oxford side two points ahead and that was that.

A cracking heat three saw Jason Garrad do all he could to get into a scoring position after being pushed wide on the first turn but there was just no way through. Jacob Clouting at the front ensured the first of six shared heats during the afternoon.

Jody Scott and Senna Summers made a blistering start in heat four and although Freddy Hodder got into second place, Scott was gone, and the Chargers went four points up.

Oxford went further ahead in heat five, when Jason Garrad made a blistering start and held on to be the only rider to lower Sam Hagon’s colours all night. Clouting had made a great start and held Hagon up for long enough to allow Garrad to carve out a strong lead.

Luke Killeen and Max Broadhurst added another four points to the Chargers tally, after Freddy Hodder had an engine failure on lap one.

With the weather drying the track out quickly, the water bowser was called out for the second time and then Jody Scott and Ashton Vale pushed the Chargers further ahead before heat eight essentially ended any chance for the Colts, with Ashton Vale and Senna Summers claiming a maximum five one in scintillating style from the gate.

The race of the afternoon followed with Jason Garrod leading for almost the entire four laps, holding off a determined Freddy Hodder, only to be caught right on the line!

Luke Killeen got pushed very wide on bend one of heat ten and just could not find a way back allowing the Colts only their second heat advantage, with a maximum five one for Matt Marson and Micky Simpson. There were then only two finishers in the next with Ashton Vale falling on the old pits bend whilst Colts Chad Wirtzfield losing power on the same lap. That was to be the third and final heat advantage for the Colts, with Sam Hagon beating Jody Scott.

A succession of four shared heats followed, with two heat wins from Sam Hagon although there was no other Colt to back him up.

A bumper Father’s Day Crowd left happy, with some great entertainment and another solid win on the board for a Chargers team who were not fancied at the beginning of the season.

The next action at Sandy Lane is on Wednesday the Oxford Monarch Cheetahs take on the Poole Pirates in Cab Direct Championship action. Tickets are available on the Oxford website www.oxfordspeedway.club/tickets

Scores:
Oxford: Luke Killeen 10, Max Broadhurst 1, Jason Garrad 8, Jacob Clouting 7+1, Jody Scott 10+2, Ashton Vale 8+1, Senna Summers 5+2
Belle Vue: Sam Hagon 14, Chad Wirtzfield 2, Matt Marson 8+1, Micky Simpson 7+1, Freddy Hodder 5, Eli Meadows 4+1, Jack Shimelt 0

Photo credit: Steve Edmunds