Gillman Rider Wins British Under 21 Solo Championship - April 2013

April 24, 2013 by Gillman Media

Gillman rider Robert Branford was the surprise winner of the British Under 21 Solo Championship at Wolverhampton in England last night.

Branford, who did not have a British League team place for 2013 but returned to the UK because he was seeded into the Under 21 Championship, finished fourth, with 12 points, in the twenty qualifying heats behind the unbeaten Jason Garrity 15, Kyle Howarth 14 and Ashley Morris 13.

However, having come through the Sidewinders Junior Speedway Club in Adelaide, and then Gillman Speedway in the seniors, Branford is used to the knock-out semi-final and final system, and got the business done when it mattered most, winning the semi-final, and then leading all the way in the final.

Howarth, who was based in Queensland with the Darren and Sharon Boocock Scholarship group, run by Marcus Williams, last Australian season, finished second, Garrity third and Morris fourth.

Branford’s win gives him a place in the World Under 21 Championship qualifying rounds if he wants it, and he would contest a round in either Italy or Poland on 11 May. Australia also has two spots available but both riders will be in the Ukraine round on the same date.

Branford has also secured a team place with the Coventry Storm in the National League (third division), signing the night before the championship. After his win last night Branford said: “Things are finally starting to look up for me. I’ve been waiting a long time for it and tonight was awesome. I couldn’t ask for any better. I did what I had to do. I gated well to get to the semis and then made another two good gates and didn’t do anything silly, and it all paid off in the end.”

He also added: “I’m really happy with my move to Coventry, the promotion were all here tonight supporting me and that means a lot. I’m really grateful for that.”