LEICESTER duo Drew Kemp and Dan Gilkes both made it through Thursday’s British Semi-Final at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park and will now compete in the Final a week on Monday.
Kemp and Gilkes secured their passages to Belle Vue on May 12 in what proved a hard-fought and competitive event, which was won by former Watling JCB Lions rider Dan Thompson with a 15-point maximum.
Thompson reeled off five wins out of five to make him the fully deserved victor on the night, and his win in Heat 13 proved to be the only defeat for Kemp, who made several fast starts during the meeting and also displayed impressive track craft.
With Kemp second overall on 14 points, the top two finished clear of Leon Flint in third on 11, whilst Gilkes enjoyed a solid night’s work as he scored 10.
He won his opening race in Heat 2 and went into the final round of races on eight points, with his second spot in Heat 19 enough to secure his progression.
That race also had implications elsewhere because a third place for Craig Cook and then a surprise last for Lewis Kerr in Heat 20 left them tied on nine points with Connor Mountain, the winner of Heat 18, with only two qualification places remaining.
A three-man run-off took place and from the gate it looked like Kerr and Cook would be the successful riders, until Mountain surged inside Cook heading into the second lap to leave the former British Champion as arguably the most surprise elimination from the event.
Outside the race for the top six, former Lion Cubs youngster Vinnie Foord picked up seven points on a late call-up to the meeting, winning Heat 10 over Danyon Hume and Joe Thompson, whilst recent Leicester rider Sam Hagon scored six – a total matched by Nathan Ablitt who failed to score in his first three rides before winning his last two.
The meeting was pushed on with stormy conditions approaching, and although there was a shower during the fourth block of races along with several lighting flashes, the rain eased and completion of the full schedule was never under threat.
Kemp said: “I had a couple of tough weeks for Leicester but when you’re winning races in the Championship it boosts your confidence and you can bring that into meetings like tonight, and into the Premiership.
“I came up here last week and did a bit of testing, which made my mind a lot clearer, and to then put into practice what I did in that test was good.”
Gilkes added: “It’s about consistency and working on my gating. I made a couple of good gates and a couple not so good, but I put myself in good positions.
“Today was about qualifying and not doing anything silly, and when you’re in a points scoring position to not drop any points, so all in all I’ve enjoyed my night.”
BRITISH SEMI-FINAL, Leicester
Dan Thompson 15, Drew Kemp 14, Leon Flint 11, Dan Gilkes 10, Lewis Kerr 9 (after run-off), Connor Mountain 9.
(Top 6 qualify for British Final at Belle Vue – Monday May 12).
Other scorers: Craig Cook 9. Jason Edwards 8, Vinnie Foord 7, Nathan Ablitt 6, Joe Thompson 6, Sam Hagon 6, Simon Lambert 5, Danyon Hume 3, Alfie Bowtell 1, Freddy Hodder 1 (reserve), Ashton Boughen 0, Matt Marson 0 (reserve).
Pictured on the rostrum – Winner Dan Thompson flanked by Drew Kemp and Leon Flint. Leicester Speedway would like to thank Chris Johnson of DStar Racewear for the supply of race jackets for the event.
