Jenkins: I want to spoil the party!
Redcar asset Jordan Jenkins is looking forward to potentially spoiling the party and upsetting the applecart at the Stuart Robson farewell at the Ecco Arena this Friday, (19:30 start). Jenkins said, “I’m hoping to go out there, make some starts, score some points and potentially spoil the party! I’ve been out on the bike a lot already this year and things seem like they are falling into place in 2022 so you never know what can happen on the night!”
The 2021 National League winner had some kind words for Robson who spent a year with the Bears in 2015, “It’s a pleasure to be a part of the meeting and it’s nice to be asked to ride in the meeting! I don’t think I ever rode against Robbo (Stuart Robson) but I grew up watching him race and he was a fantastic rider.”
The Oxford Charger’s captain also believes he can be more potent at the Ecco Arena, “I know I can score bigger both home and away and I won’t settle until I am performing at my best. I do think I can improve the most at home in front of our home fans as the Newcastle meeting was my highest home score and that’s not good enough but I feel like a different rider this year, I feel quicker and I know I can improve!”
Jenkins was impressive with paid 10 in Redcar’s comprehensive win over Newcastle last week but he believes there is more to come, “I had some clutch problems last Friday which made it hard for me to make a good gate but I have solved that now so it will not be a problem moving forward. On the other hand, scoring paid 10 when I didn’t feel 100% is good and when I feel 100% I can hopefully score bigger!”
Jenkins also believes the amount of practising he has been doing in the UK and Poland is improving his abilities on the bike, “When I practised last year I came off the bike feeling okay and this year I am coming off the bike feeling fast and feeling more confident on the bike and that can only be a good sign for me and the Redcar fans!”
The meeting has attracted some stellar names who are keen to show their respect to a British speedway legend and gain some valuable pre-season laps before the UK league season gets into full swing. Chris Harris, Richie Worrall and Danny King are some of the names you would expect to be in the mix in the latter stages of the meeting.
The 16 rider field includes 3 riders who have rode for the Bears in the past (Josh Auty, Michael Palm-Toft and Ulrich Ostergaard) and 2 riders who currently race for the club in Charles Wright and Jordan Jenkins. The Ecco Arena crowd are sure to get behind the Bears racing in the meeting and with the pair scoring paid 25 between them against Newcastle it wouldn’t be a surprise to see at least one Redcar rider on the podium at the end of the night!
The meeting will be ran in the Grand Prix format with 20 heats followed by a semi final and final. Additionally, the action will also include 4 races from Great Britain’s 125cc and 250cc Young Lions as fans get to see a sneak peek of the stars of the future with Steen Pijper and Luke Harrison 2 of the names involved in the action.
Spectators are reminded that due to the nature of the meeting it will be cash only turnstiles and Stuart is keen to see as many fans from the teams he has represented present at the Ecco Arena.
Meeting draw (in riding order)
1 Simon Lambert
2 Josh Auty
3 Richie Worrall
4 Chris Harris
5 Jordan Jenkins
6 Danny King
7 Ulrich Ostergaard
8 Dan Thompson
9 Joe Thompson
10 Ricky Wells
11 Charles Wright
12 Paul Starke
13 Ben Basso
14 Leon Flint
15 Michael Palm-Toft
16 Drew Kemp
17 Archie Freeman
18 Kyran Lyden