Australian speedway ace Jack Holder overcame a dramatic night for his family to guarantee his place in the 2023 FIM Speedway Grand Prix series.
Holder secured the place via his third place at the FIM GP Challenge in Glasgow on Saturday after defeating his FIM Speedway of Nations world title-winning partner Max Fricke in a run-off for third place after they finished level on 12.
Jack Holder had to overcome the ordeal of seeing older brother Chris leave Ashfield in an ambulance after crashing when they met in race 12, with their family watching on from the stands. Chris Holder was taken to hospital after falling awkwardly, with pursuing French racer David Bellego unable to avoid the stricken Aussie and ploughing into him.
But the Speedway GP star showed phenomenal composure to snatch the final qualification place, guaranteeing himself a second straight season in the SGP World Championship.
“It all started off well, but then the red lights came on in heat 12 and I saw Chris on the ground. I quickly stopped and I could see he was in a bit of pain, but it was a hard one because I had to keep racing,” Chris said.
“It was definitely a big mental test. It was tough to see him like that while I had to continue doing what I was doing. But it is what it is. I managed to keep my head and get the job done,” he concluded.
Swedish star Kim Nilsson, Great Britain shooting star Dan Bewley finished first and second also guaranteeing their place in the 2023 FIM Speedway Grand Prix series.
Nilsson stormed to a shock victory, winning a run-off ahead of FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff winner Bewley to top the podium after they tied on 13 points.
FIM GP CHALLENGE RESULT:
1 Kim Nilsson 13+3,
2 Dan Bewley 13+2,
3 Jack Holder 12+3,
4 Max Fricke 12+2,
5 Robert Lambert 10,
6 Rasmus Jensen 10,
7 Michael Jepsen Jensen 9,
8 Rohan Tungate 7,
9 Andzejs Lebedevs 7,
10 Anders Thomsen 5,
11 Connor Bailey 5,
12 Drew Kemp 5,
13 Chris Holder 4,
14 David Bellego 3,
15 Dominik Kubera 3,
16 Szymon Wozniak 2,
17 Vaclav Milik 0,
18 Oliver Berntzon DNR.
