New British champion Danny King booked his place at the Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Cardiff on July 9 with a brilliant battling victory in Manchester on Monday.
The Coventry and Ipswich star was crowned national champion for the first time after storming past Belle Vue favourite Craig Cook with a breathtaking swoop at the end of the first lap in the final to top the rostrum ahead of the Cumbrian and teenage sensation Robert Lambert.
King defied the wet conditions to top the heat scorechart on 13 and his victory earns him one of the hottest tickets in the sport ‰ÛÒ the famous No.16 wild card race jacket at Cardiff‰Ûªs Principality Stadium.
The Great Britain international has served as track reserve at the event in previous years, but this time he‰Ûªll be taking five rides against the sport‰Ûªs finest as he joins double world champion Tai Woffinden and Chris Harris in flying the British flag.
An elated King said: ‰ÛÏIt‰Ûªs mad. I don‰Ûªt know what to say. I‰Ûªm so shocked. Everything was a blur.
‰ÛÏOnce I hit the front, I just remember trying to keep my head down and ride the outside because I knew no-one was going to pass me on the inside. I didn‰Ûªt look back. It‰Ûªs a lot to take in. I feel quite humble. It‰Ûªs an amazing feeling.
‰ÛÏI‰Ûªve been reserve a couple of times and I‰Ûªve always wanted to get out there and try it. I‰Ûªve never had the opportunity.
‰ÛÏI came to Manchester hoping to become British champion, and at the same time I‰Ûªve become wild card for Cardiff. It‰Ûªs a dream come true.‰Û
