Tai Woffinden takes British speedway title

Woffinden made home advantage count at Monmore Green as he sped to a 15-point maximum in the heats.

The 22-year-old then made no mistake in the grand final by edging out reigning champion Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris and surprise packet Craig Cook.

Woffinden proposed a toast to absent friends after winning his first national title.

The Wolverhampton man, who has made a stunning start to the season in both the Grand Prix and Elite League, reeled off six perfect rides to secure the British championship on home shale, at Monmore Green.

And he immediately dedicated his success to the memory of his father Rob and ex-GP star Lee Richardson.

The meeting was staged on the first anniversary of Richardson's death from injuries sustained in a crash in Poland – and Woffinden senior died three years ago.

"I'd like to dedicate this to Lee and my Dad," said Woffinden afterwards.

From the moment he raced to victory in his opening ride there was a sense something special was about to happen.

Woffinden continued his dominance with further victories in his next three rides after some blistering gating.

He was provided a real challenge for the first time in heat 19 when Birmingham skipper Danny King emerged from the first bend ahead – but Woffinden effortlessly picked him off to complete a clean sweep of wins in the qualifying heats.

Having booked a passage directly to the final, Woffinden overcame any doubts with a tapes-to-flag victory to send his home supporters into raptures.

Defending champion Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris joined Woffinden on the rostrum, but their eight-year dominance of the event was brought to an end despite strong displays.

Nicholls in particular put in a characteristic display, recovering from a slow start to notch three consecutive wins – the pick of which came with a sublime last-lap pass of Danny King in heat 13.

The trio were joined in the final by Craig Cook, who continues to go from strength to strength having only made the switch to speedway from motocross a few years ago.

Birmingham skipper King and Eddie Kennett fell just short of the Grand Final, bowing out at the semi-final stage having entered the meeting in strong form.

Swindon man Kennett had looked an early front runner after three straight wins, but he failed to book a place directly in the final and was passed late on by Nicholls in a tight semi-final.

It was a night of drama and controversy as Britain's best went hell for leather for the title. But it was Woffinden who stole the show with a performance right out of the top drawer.

QUALIFYING SCORERS: Tai Woffinden 15, Chris Harris 13, Craig Cook 12, Edward Kennett 12, Scott Nicholls 11, Danny King 10, Josh Auty 8, Jason Garrity 8, Chris Schramm 6, Oliver Allen 5, Richie Worrall 5, Kyle Howarth 5, Ben Barker 4, Ashley Birks 2, James Wright 1, Joe Haines 1, Kyle Newman 1 (reserve).

SEMI-FINAL: Cook, Nicholls, Kennett, King.

FINAL: Woffinden, Nicholls, Harris, Cook.