Redcar will crown a new British Under-21 Champion tonight (Friday) as the prestigious national event comes to the Media Prima Arena.
Last year’s winner Dan Bewley, who triumphed at Berwick, is now ineligible and an open contest is predicted with several contenders.
Seeded duo Drew Kemp and Tom Brennan take their place with Leon Flint and Anders Rowe unfortunately ruled out due to injury, whilst Jordan Jenkins – declared fit to ride after crashing last week – and Dan Gilkes led the qualifiers with victory in the respective semi-finals.
Great Britain U21 boss Neil Vatcher said: “This year's Final is without doubt the most open for many a year - as previously there has always been a rider that has been red-hot favourite, whereas this year there are genuinely nine or ten riders in the line-up who could end up top of the rostrum come the end of the evening.
“For me this is always one of the best meetings of the season, as none of the guys know when they are beaten, and with the format of a semi-final and a Final, the possibility of eight or nine points might be enough to qualify, so it’s not over until it's over!
“On top of that, the event is being run at one of the best racetracks in the country and come 10pm Friday evening history will be in the making when a new British Under-21 Champion will be crowned.
“I would like to go on record and thank the Redcar promotion for hosting the event, and the members of the BSP Ltd for their continued support.”
LINE-UP: 1) Daniel Gilkes, 2) Jake Mulford, 3) Tom Brennan, 4) Kyle Bickley, 5) Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, 6) Alex Spooner, 7) Jordan Palin, 8) Nathan Ablitt, 9) Jason Edwards, 10) Joe Thompson, 11) Tom Spencer, 12) Drew Kemp, 13) Sam Bebee, 14) Jordan Jenkins, 15) Dan Thompson, 16) Archie Freeman. Reserves: 17) Elliot Kelly 18) Ben Trigger.