Barker stings The Scorpions

Ben Barker scorched to a stunning 17+1 points haul as The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators launched their 2024 home campaign with a comprehensive 51-39 victory over The Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Cab Direct  KO CUP 1st round, 2nd leg

Barker, who set the new track record in the opening heat, was beaten only by teammate Dan Thompson in the nominated heat 15.

After a shared heat one, the Gladiators led thereafter in a competitive meeting with numerous great races. Dan Thompson continued his impressive start to the season with 11+2, backed by Kyle Newman with 9+2.  The Scorpions took the aggregate victory (100-80)

Heat results.

Plymouth Gladiators = 51 (80)

1. Nico Covatti R/R

2. Alfie Bowtell – 0, 3, 1′, 1, FX = 5+1

3. Dan Thompson – 2′, 1, 2′, FX, 3, 3 = 11+2

4. Kyle Newman – 3, 0, 2′, 3, 1′ = 9+2

5. Ben Barker – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2′ = 17+1

6. Joe Thompson – 3, 0, 0, 2 = 5

7. Jacob Hook – 1, 0, 2, 1 = 4

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 39 (100)

1. Kyle Howarth – 2, 3, 2, 2, 1 = 10

2. Connor Mountain – 1′, 2′, 3, 1′, 0 = 7+3

3. Simon Lambert – 1, 2, 3, 2 = 8

4. Michael Palm Toft – 0, 1′, 2′, 3 = 6+2

5. Jake Allen – 2, 1, 1, 1′ = 5+1

6. Jack Smith (G) – 0, F, 0 = 0

7. Luke Harrison – 2, 1′, 0, 0, 0 = 3+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Barker, Howarth, Mountain, Bowtell. 3-3…52.75 NEW TRACK RECORD

Heat 02: J Thompson, Harrison, Hook, Smith. (4-2)…7-5.

Heat 03: Newman, D Thompson, Lambert, Palm Toft. (5-1)…12-6…

Heat 04: Barker, Allen, Harrison, Hook. (3-3)…15-9…

Heat 05: Howarth, Mountain, D Thompson, Newman. (1-5)…16-14…

Heat 06 (Re-Run): Bowtell, Newman, Allen, Smith (Fell). (5-1)…21-15…

Heat 07: Barker, Lambert, Palm Toft, J Thompson. (3-3)…24-18…

Heat 08: Mountain, Hook, Bowtell, Harrison. (3-3)…27-21…

Heat 09: Newman, D Thompson, Allen, Smith. (5-1)…32-22…

Heat 10 (Re-Run): Lambert, Palm Toft, Bowtell, D Thompson (Fell, Excluded). (1-5)…33-27…

Heat 11: Barker, Howarth, Mountain, J Thompson. (3-3)…36-30…

Heat 12: D Thompson, Lambert, Hook, Harrison. (4-2)…40-32…

Heat 13 (Re-Run): Barker, Howarth, Allen, Bowtell (Fell, Excluded). (3-3)…43-35

Heat 14: Palm Toft, J Thompson, Newman, Harrison. (3-3)…46-38

Heat 15: D Thompson, Barker, Howarth, Mountain. (5-1)…51-39.

Courtesy of Speedway Updates.

Image credit: Blumonkey Media