REDCAR regained the Championship Pairs crown they last won at Oxford in 2022 with a second victory in three seasons on Friday night.
The Bears’ pair of Charles Wright and Danny King defeated the home duo of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls in a controversial final, which had to be stopped at the end of the third lap when Wright and Nicholls collided on the fourth bend, resulting in a sickening crash for both riders. Nicholls was deemed to be the cause of the stoppage and excluded, handing the title to Redcar, although with King clear in the lead and Masters adrift at the back, the Bears were within touching distance of the trophy. King said: “It’s been a tough night for us and it hasn’t all gone our way. We had to work hard all night and it’s obviously great to be stood on the top step. “It was a shame that it ended how it did but there was some good racing and it worked in our favour, so I’m really proud.” Oxford team manager Pete Schroeck commented: “A throttle goes two ways. Scott was in front and Charles caught his back wheel. Scott feels a little hard done by and I have to agree I am afraid. I think the wrong decision was made on that one.” • Full coverage in this week’s magazine – on sale on Thursday.
