Speedway star Simon Lambert has made his own slice of history by winning the Kent Laurels Individual meeting for a third year on the spin.
The Gosberton Risegate ace enters the historic books as being the only British speedway rider to win the event three times since the Trophy’s inception – and is also the first rider to win in three successive years.
The only other racer to win the hat-trick of Laurels titles is Danish champion rider Ole Olsen, way back in the 1970s.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for former Kent Kings skipper Lambert, though.
Indeed, he had to rise off a stretcher to lift the WJ Cearns Trophy. That’s because he broke his scapula (shoulder blade) after crashing out in a re-run of the grand final – which saw him sent ploughing heavily into the fence courtesy of main rival Daniel Greenwood.
Lambert said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to win this meeting for the third time, but it’s come at a price.
“I went for hospital treatment at A & E on my way home from Kent and I have in fact broken my scapula which sees me on the sidelines now for a few weeks through no fault of my own. What a way to enter the history books!
“It was my dream to match the great Ole Olsen’s achievement, but not for it to end in injury.
“I have been back to see the consultant and I have to rest my shoulder and let nature take its course for natural healing.
“It’s very frustrating but that’s speedway I’m afraid.”
Despite the carnage around, Peterborough Panthers racer Lambert cut an imperious figure and was untroubled as he won all four of his previous qualifying rides. That saw him progress to the semi-finals with relative ease – and it always looked like the South Holland man’s title to lose.
Lambert was in the first semi and swept round the outside to claim victory and cruise straight into the grand final. He was joined by Danny Ayres, Greenwood and Chris Widman.
Showing the same determination to win, Ayres gated superbly in the final, while on the outside of him Greenwood and Lambert were having their own personal battle.
On bend two Greenwood left Lambert with literally nowhere to go and he slid off.
The official decision was to send all four back for a re-run, but it was to be a wrong decision.
Ayres again gated well, but defending champion Lambert was not to be denied and he executed a superb “around the boards” effort on bend two to take the lead with Greenwood joining him in hot pursuit.
Entering the fourth bend Greenwood clearly overcooked it and sent Lambert hurtling into the air fence in a sickening clash.
There was no question that, this time, it was Greenwood’s fault and he was excluded. Lambert was down and receiving attention from the paramedics – and after lengthy treatment they called for a stretcher and ambulance.
However, the ex-Kent lad – who is established as a bona-fide Central Park legend – was able just about to rise to his feet to take the rapturous applause of the large crowd and receive his trophy as Kent Laurels champion again.
That’s because the race was awarded to him, with Ayres the runner-up and the impressive Widman a happy third.
Although he is facing a spell on sidelines, you can visit www.simonlambertracing.co.uk to keep up with Lambert’s progress.
