Charles Wright admitted he always had the “belief” after roaring to his first British Championship title. The Stockport star stunned the National Speedway Stadium by outgunning former winners Danny King, Craig Cook and Chris Harris in the final.
Wright had looked extremely quick all night and had only one blip when he was adjudged the guilty party when Paul Starke crashed heavily in Heat 13.
An elated Wrighty said afterwards: “I felt quick all night and I knew if I could get to the dirt first in the final that I’d be away. That’s how it turned out.” “I don’t think I’m shocked. I’ve always had the belief that I’ve got the ability, but it feels great to have done it.”
“I’m not quite fit after the crash at Peterborough, I’d say I’m about 90 per cent. But it feels OK when you are on the bike. I might feel a bit sore in the morning, but that might be my head because of all the beers I’m going to have!”
Sheffield No.1 King looked the favourite to take the title after topping the score charts in the qualifying heats with 14 points.
But it was Wright who roared from gate four in the final to deny King, Craig Cook and Chris Harris.
King said: “It all came down to one race and I couldn’t quite make it my own.
“Fair play to Charles to win for the first time, he deserves it. Of course, I wanted to regain my British title but it wasn’t to be. It’s always a hard meeting especially here at Belle Vue. It’s a great race track but hard to get dialled into.”
“But I felt really good throughout the meeting. However, I’m happy with my performance. I wish I could have gone one better but that’s speedway. It’s frustrating but I gave it everything.”
King was outstanding all night, dropping only one point from his opening five races to Cook in Heat 15. Cook finished with 12 with Wright, Worrall and Harris all on 11. Lewis Kerr also reached the semi-final with eight points. Wright won the semi from Harris and then completed a glory night with another cracking start in the final.
BRITISH FINAL, Belle Vue
QUALIFYING SCORERS: Danny King 14, Craig Cook 12, Chris Harris 11, Charles Wright 11, Steve Worrall 11, Lewis Kerr 8, Rory Schlein 8, Richard Lawson 7, Josh Auty 7, Scott Nicholls 6, Edward Kennett 6, Danny Ayres 6, Paul Starke 6, Dan Bewley 3, Kyle Newman 3, Simon Lambert 1, Kyle Bickley (res) 0, Leon Flint (res) 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Wright, Harris, Worrall, Kerr.
GRAND FINAL: Wright, King, Cook, Harris.
Picture: Ian Charles