Coventry host their biggest match of the season tomorrow (Sunday 22nd May) at Hearsall Common when they entertain local rivals Leicester in the Midland League, starting at 2pm.
Rivalry between the clubs dates back almost 40 years and the matches have been always been hotly contested with Leicester having the upper hand. Since Coventry were reformed in 2012, the fierce local derby matches have once again become a key highlight of the season.
However, recent years have seen the two clubs increasingly work together for the overall benefit of the sport in the East Midlands. Scores of junior matches have been held between the clubs to bring on junior riders and the Leicester club have strongly supported Coventry`s winter indoor racing activities.
Following their Midland League defeat at Birmingham two weeks ago, Coventry welcome back teenage hotshot Mason Phillips, the world number 7 junior. However, they will again track a youthful side, with several riders on the injury list.
Long serving Polish star Dominik Rycharski is still on the sidelines following a wrist operation, Matthew Lawrence is doubtful, whilst Eurovets number 3 Joe McLaughlin is recovering from a blood clot in his left leg.
Team manager Lee Marsh once again looks to his squad of younger riders to plug the gaps and Ollie Morris, Matthew Hambidge and Jake Slatter are all set to start.
Coventry team:
1 Matthew Hambidge 2 Myke Grimes 3 Jake Slatter 4 Dan Drewett 5 Mason Phillips 6 Ollie Morris 7 Jimmy Wassall 8 Ben Wells.
COVENTRY WIZZ KIDS POST RECORD SCORE
In a superb afternoon of junior racing at Hearsall Common last Saturday afternoon in the British Junior league, Coventry Cycle Speedway junior wizz-kids posted a club record score of 175 match points in the competition.
In another illustration of their relentless junior policy, the Coventry club also fielded a record number of riders for the popular British Junior League event, with 17 riders taking to the sun drenched Herasall Common circuit.
Leading the Coventry charge was dashing 13-year-old Jimmy Wassall, son of ex Whitley rider Karl, who also rode in Coventry`s double winning side of 2006. Wassall is fast maturing into one of the best junior prospects to come out of Coventry for many years.
Wassall, who attends Caludon Castle School, was given a tough test by teammate Ben Wells. Wassall beat his club colleague in the qualifiers, before the duo provided the highlight of the day in the three-times rerun of the under 14s final.
Twice the pair went crashing to the ground in a no holds barred encounter. The two were finely matched, Wells having the greater speed but with Wassall, with his greater experience, displaying better race tactics.
Eventually, Wassall got the better of Wells to take the silverware but Coventry club officials and parents looked on with glee with the club having two of the best juniors in the country.
In the under 8 final, Coventry`s Jude Willcockson produced three qualifying race wins in an all action display before having to settle for runners up in the final.
Hopes of a third successive series victory for Jack Reynolds, having already won at Birmingham and East Park, in the under 12 classification disappeared when the talented youngster crashed out when well placed in the final.
Newcomer Jacob Slezak continued his recent improvement by taking silver in the under 12s and there were also podium finishes for Sammi Marsh, Wyatt Jacobs and Autumn Smith.
The British Junior and Youth League regional series now moves onto round 4 at Wednesfield in Wolverhampton on Saturday 4th June. Coventry are currently well placed to qualify for the national rounds later in the season.