Coventry Cycle Speedway riders enjoyed their best ever World individual finals day last Sunday at Wolverhampton, which concluded two weeks of intense competition at World championship and Test match level for the Coventry club.
For the first time in the history of the Coventry club, the Hearsall Common based outfit provided no fewer than three World finalists. Australian ace Bobby McMillan reached the open World final, dashing youngster Mason Phillips the World junior final and Sammi Marsh completed the trio by reaching the Woman’s final. It was McMillan, from Adelaide, South Australia, who produced the best performance. In inspired form, the 22 year old almost caused a major shock by reaching the podium in his first World final.
Proudly wearing the distinctive blue, white and black Coventry colours, ahead of his national shirt, McMillan made a solid start by taking a well-worked second from his opening ride on the big Wednesfield Aces circuit.
He consolidated his position by scoring in his next two outings, before his chances seemed to slip with an un-characteristic last in his fourth ride. However, he soon recovered by brilliantly winning his last ride from the outside grid to tie for third place with reigning champion Marcin Syzmanski, of Poland.
In the resultant race-off for third, the Coventry man unluckily lost the toss for the favoured inside starting position. McMillan narrowly failed to make the start, and despite fourth laps of intense pressure, the Pole held on in a tight finish.
McMillan, who has recently won backing from Coventry based scientific engineers Collins Ltd, was overjoyed in becoming World number four, finishing as highest Australian and becoming the highest placed Coventry world ranked rider since Ray Oliver won the World crown in 1988.
He said: “All my dedication in coming to the UK a year early, to base myself in Coventry and all my training has paid-off. I would like to thank everyone from the Coventry club for all their terrific support all year”.
Mason Phillips provided more cheers for the Coventry club as the 16 year old from Rugby, a shock qualifier, lined-up in the World junior final, urged on by scores of members of the Coventry club.
Phillips, who has just left Harris school, was clearly nervous as he lined-up in heat 3 for his biggest ever challenge. All action, and displaying his imposing long-legged style, he soon assumed his composure by taking a fine second place in his opening rider.
He then scored in his ensuing three races, amassing an impressive points tally, just outside the main contenders. His proudest moment was yet to come. He superbly took the chequered flag in his final ride - sparking wild celebrations amongst the Coventry supporters and his family.
Phillips finished on 13 points to become world ranked number 7 – an amazing achievement as only took up the sport four years ago with Bretford Bulldogs.
Sammi Marsh became Coventry`s first ever Woman`s World finalist. At just 14, the Ash Green schoolgirl, was a rank outsider to reach the final from her tough semi-final, staged at Poole a week previous.
Visibly nervous on the parade on the biggest day of her life, Marsh struggled in her early races against much older and more experienced riders. Urged on by parents Lee and Karen, she showed her true form later on to finish on 8 points.
The qualification of three riders – on the same day – capped an amazing week for the Coventry club, coming just days after their triumphant staging of the 3rd Great Britain V Australia Test match at Hearsall Common in front of their biggest ever crowd.
The only disappointment from the championships was the failure of home grown star Myke Grimes to reach the World open final. The Caludon Castle school IT had earlier dominated his earlier qualifying rounds, also held a Poole. Racing at East Park, Wolverhampton, in his semi final, Grimes looked on course to safely qualify. Sitting comfortably on 10 points with his final heat to go, Grimes gated first only for disaster to strike, with the Coventry man crashing spectacularly out of contention.
Locally, the next Cycle Speedway action is this Tuesday (18th August) at Brandon Road Playing Fields, Bretford, when Brandon Bees take on Wednesfield Aces in the Midland League division 2, starting at 7.30pm.
Coventry`s next match is next Sunday, 23rd August. When they travel to old rivals Leicester in Midland League racing, with the Herasall Common men looking to register a quick-fire double, after their home victory over Leicester last month.