Great Britain Under-21 star Dan Thompson powered into the British Championship Final in Manchester on May 12, winning the Semi-Final in Leicester with a 15-point maximum on Thursday.
The Ipswich and Glasgow star went through the card unbeaten with five straight wins at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park, and was joined on the rostrum by home rider Drew Kemp, who dropped just one point on 14, while Leon Flint was third on 11.
Recent Leicester signing Dan Gilkes was also on the qualifying list with 10 points, while Lewis Kerr and Connor Mountain came out on top in a run-off with former SGP star Craig Cook for the final two qualification places.
Thompson was delighted to secure his spot at the National Speedway Stadium. He said: “It was a perfect night really. I made all the right choices with my setups, and I’ve got to say thank you to my mechanic Joe from Ipswich for helping me.
“We really worked well together and got things sorted. It couldn’t have gone much better, and I’ll see what I can do in the main event.”
The six qualifiers are joined in Manchester by nine seeded stars – featuring Speedway GP star and reigning champion Dan Bewley, who is chasing a fourth British title in as many years. He is joined by fellow FIM Speedway of Nations world champion Tom Brennan, former SGP star Chris Harris, Richard Lawson, Charles Wright, Danny King, Steve Worrall, Adam Ellis and Anders Rowe. The line-up is completed by world No.2 Robert Lambert, who has been handed a wild card for the event.
The winner of the British Championship – or the highest-placed non-Speedway GP rider – will secure the wild card for both nights of the ATPI FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Manchester double-header on June 13 and 14.