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Speedway’s new world champion Chris Holder returned “home” to Wimborne Road on Wednesday night to celebrate his title victory with the loyal Poole Pirates fans.
Chris Holder
World Champion 2012
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After winning the overall 12-round Grand Prix series in Poland last weekend, the popular 25-year old Aussie was crowned the new world No 1 ahead of Denmark’s former three-times champion Nicki Pedersen.
Unfortunately, Holder’s homecoming meeting between 2011 Elite champions Pirates and 2010 winners Coventry had to be cancelled after Wednesday night’s referee Dave Robinson had no alternative but to declare the track unfit for speedway without any racing.
Riders tried to make their way around the circuit for Heat 1. Coastal Aluminium Pirate, Darcy Ward had a scare from the extremely grippy track as he made his way to the starting line ready for the proposed opening race.
Unfortunately visiting top man Chris Harris was not so lucky and took a tumble on his way round to the start on the third and fourth bend.
Poole’s promoter Matt Ford made it clear that he was very upset that the meeting had to be called off, as so much effort had been made to try and make the track race-able.
Although the top surface of the circuit appeared to look okay, the heavy rain of the previous 48 hours had caused major damage to the base leaving the shale surface “cloggy” according to Ford and way to grippy for 500cc bikes.
Unfortunately in one of the wettest years in the last century, the British weather had won.
By Nicole Lanning
Seeker Sport’s speedway correspondent
Photos: Steve Cook
by admin