Coventry Cycle Speedway star Myke Grimes endured British Final heart break on Bank Holiday Monday – as a harsh final race exclusion robbed the Coventry hero of a podium finish.
Racing in Suffolk last Saturday and Sunday, Grimes was in electrifying form to make easy work of his two semi-finals at Kesgrave and Great Blakenham. He qualified for his third British Final in four years with two heats to spare.
The 30 year old, from Potters Green, and urged on by a sizable Coventry following in the gallery, made a dream start in the final at Whitton, Ipswich. He made a jet-propelled start, from the outside grid, to win his opening race.
He then capitalised his pole position on the leader-board by easily taking heat 7, from the favourable inside starting position. The Coventry man had moved to an undefeated 8 points after two outings, raising hopes of a deserved podium finish.
Grimes had an extremely tough third ride but managed to salvage a third place, earning two points, to keep in the hunt. He then roared back into contention for a top three place by taking a tactical second place from his fourth race.
Although his chance of taking the coveted British title had gone by his final race, Grimes lined-up on the grid in heat 19 hotly contesting the minor placings on the rostrum. There were multiple potential outcomes as Grimes started his biggest race of his life.
In an action packed race, with the positions constantly changing, Grimes was well positioned on the third lap, when disaster struck the Coventry man. An explosive challenge from an opponent, judged by many in the crowd to be excessive, sent Grimes crashing to the ground – his hopes of glory lying in tatters.
In a great display of sportsmanship, Grimes accepted the referee`s decision and vowed to return, fitter and stronger, for another tilt at British Final silverware in 2016.
He said: “I would like to thank everyone for the support my club colleagues and fans gave me in Ipswich, it’s always appreciated. I don’t want to complain on the decision but I`m still gutted though. Probably would have been a nailed on podium if I got the decision, was a total ram (foul) from where I was”.
In the final analysis, Grimes`s 14 point final tally was the highest score by a Coventry rider in a British Final since Robin Wallsgrove netted 16 points to finish fourth in 1982. In the modern era, no other Coventry rider has reached the British Open final, although Pete Averns (1981) and Joe McLaughlin (1983), both qualified as first reserve.
The 2015 British Final was won by rank outsider Zac Payne, of Horspath, Oxford, with Charlie Rumbold of Ipswich in second place, and Adam Peck, also of Ipswich, taking third. At just 20 years old age, Payne became the youngest rider to be crowned champion for over 20 years.
The Coventry club had better fortunes in the British under 13s girls Final, also at Ipswich last weekend, when Bailie Phillips dropped just a single point on her way to the silver medal.
Phillips, who attends the Harris School, in Rugby, put up a formidable challenge to post 19 points, being beaten only by the eventual winner. The sister of Coventry first team ace Mason, she has been racing three years and started her career at the Bretford track in Warwickshire.
Elsewhere, the Coventry club also fielded several finalists in other age group category finals, including the diminutive Jack Reynolds (under 10s), Josh Marsh and Ollie Morris (under 16s) and Dan Drewett (under 19s). There was disappointment when one of their best hopes, Sammi Marsh, failed to make the British Woman’s final after an uncharacteristic below par performance.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway club, please go to: www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk