NORTHAMPTON’S SUCCESSFUL OPENER

NORTHAMPTON’S historic opening home meeting was hailed as a major success as a huge crowd packed the Shaleway to see the Foxes take on Ipswich.

The monumental efforts of recent weeks to convert the stock car venue near Brafield into a dual-purpose operation paid dividends with a trouble-free night of racing and extensive interest in the event.

The visitors were 49-41 winners, having already confirmed their place in the KO Cup Final, with Witches skipper Danny King taking the honour of being the first race winner, whilst Foxes guest Kyle Howarth is the early track record holder.

Tobiasz Musielak, with 13 points, was top scorer for Ipswich with Richard Lawson on 10+3 and King (9) won three races, whilst Matej Zagar (8+1) led the scoring for the home side, who would have set up a last heat decider but for a last-lap mechanical failure for Kye Thomson in Heat 14.

Northampton co-promoter Paul Hunsdon said: “Of course it was disappointing that we didn’t win on the night, or at least run it to the last heat, but we have to look at the big picture and I think everyone has gone home happy.

“The main positive was that everything ran smoothly, and we showed that we can deal with a big crowd, there was parking for everyone and there was still room for more.

“We delayed the start of racing by a few minutes which was the right thing to do, and I know that not a single person missed a race. The turnstiles coped with the demand, the food was plentiful, and we know the track will evolve – we already have some more ideas on that.

Ipswich manager Paul Hurry said: “When we all got there and walked out on track, we were thinking, ‘Wow, this isn’t quite what we expected.’ But the boys all went there with an open mind.  

“The main body of the team are all experienced enough to be able to deal with these tracks. It’s one that was a lot smaller than we expected. If they can do anything, our boys can turn a bike. All of our boys can ride small tracks really well, so that helps.

“Going there with the unknown as to what conditions would be like and what the material was going to be and feel like was tough, but they all took it in their stride and dealt with it.”

Watch the action from Heat 13 (courtesy of CLEAN CUT SPORTS)

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON