Venni's dream shattered on last circuit of huge final

He led narrowly from Jamie Sampson (Lynn) going into the last trip round the circuit, but saw his dreams of a win shattered.



Venni made a last bend lunge at Sampson but was too far back to connect, allowing the home rider to take a heat and final double.

The Sutton racer said: "I wanted that race one lap shorter. It's just my luck being caught on the last lap – but I'm getting closer to that final win!"

There were a few less local drivers than expected, with Nick Houghton (Pinchbeck) forced to retire for the rest of this year with an impending operation on his back, and Steve Newman (Spalding) also temporarily out of action with a broken rib.

Venni was the first victim of the opening race and he was spun out before one lap had been completed.

But he did recover to come home in eighth place with James Stafford (Spalding) failing to place.

Venni had a quiet run in the first heat proper to come home in eighth place before being involved right in the action in the second heat.

Dwayne Powell was the early leader with most of the yellow tops piling into the fence.

But Venni soon hit the front, only to be given the turn around treatment by Nigel Parker (Norwich) .

However, it wasn't long before Sampson took the lead - and with a host of fun and games going on behind him, he built up sizeable lead over Aldridge in second spot.

Venni slipped down the field to finish seventh, while Andi Newman (Spalding) came home in ninth.

Powell started the final like the heat earlier – by taking the lead.

Venni was second with Leyton Hubbert (Boston) in third place in the early stages.

Powell though spun out on the first lap, which handed the lead to Venni.

The Sutton driver was being caught by Sampson all the time however, and was eventually ousted on a dramatic last lap.

Luke Grief (Peterborough) was third in the final.
• There was also racing at the Norfolk Arena on Sunday where a number of local drivers were in action in the TSR Bangers, who were competing in the formulas final gold roof qualifying round.

Peter Griggs (Holbeach St Marks) was in action in the formulas charity race, which doubled up as heat one where drivers were raising funds for the Air Ambulance and Children's Ward at the hospital.

Griggs did well in an ill handling car to get the final qualifying spot for the meeting final with a sixth place finish.

But he failed to finish the final where he was an early casualty, ending up in a big pile-up which had developed.

Roland Bullock (Bourne) won the final - although Griggs did pick up a few more points with an eighth place finish in the All Comers.

Racing returns to the Norfolk Arena on Saturday, July 18 (6.30pm) after the summer break.

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