Mildenhall Fen Tigers closed their speedway season with a weekend of competitive racing at West Row, hosting two significant events that showcased both team and individual talent. The action began on Saturday with the MTD Group-sponsored Inter-Counties Challenge, featuring a traditional rivalry between Mildenhall and the Essex-based Thurrock Hammers. Sunday saw an individual open event supported by HG Aerospace, the Speedway Academy, and The Fenland Flyer.
The Saturday fixture proved challenging for the Fen Tigers, who suffered early setbacks when riders Kenzie Cossey and Scott Campos sustained injuries before and during the initial heats. Cossey, already recovering from a recent lung puncture, withdrew during practice laps, while Campos sprained his ankle in his first ride. These injuries disrupted Mildenhall’s team dynamics, making it difficult to mount a sustained challenge against Thurrock, who ultimately scored over 55 points.
Thurrock’s victory was anchored by skipper Ben Morley, who scored 14 points, with strong support from former Fen Tigers Alfie Bowtell and Alex Spooner, both contributing double-digit paid totals. Notably, Connor King, a Brandon-based rider representing Thurrock, delivered his personal best with a paid 12-point performance on his familiar home track. For Mildenhall, new fan favorite and reigning New Zealand champion Ben Whalley impressed despite a difficult start, claiming two heat wins and holding Morley at bay late in the match. Connor Mountain, returning to the club, topped Mildenhall’s scores with 13 points, including a critical heat win denying Morley a maximum score.
Sunday’s individual competition, aimed at 12 riders but reduced due to late withdrawals, saw King’s Lynn’s Simon Lambert take the title in a closely fought contest. Absences included Fen Tigers’ injured riders Cossey and Campos, as well as Vinnie Foord, who missed the event due to losing his racing equipment the previous evening. Lambert faced strong competition, particularly from Ashton Vale of Oxford Chargers, who was unbeaten in qualifying and challenged Lambert closely in heats and the final.
The grand final was marked by the early lead taken by Chelmsford’s Harrison Rogers, who fell and caused an exclusion, resulting in a rerun. In the restart, Vale failed to exit the gates cleanly, allowing Lambert to secure the victory without further challenge. Other notable performances included Jamie Halder, who reached the semifinals but fell short of the final, and Seth Norman, who advanced to the final but was caught up in the Rogers incident. Unfortunately, Dylan Huthwaite sustained a broken hip after a fall in the semifinals.
Mildenhall Fen Tigers chairperson Kieran Phillips expressed satisfaction with the weekend’s events, praising the riders’ performances and the efforts of volunteers and sponsors. He acknowledged the important support of the HGA Speedway Academy and expressed optimism about deepening this partnership to bring more high-quality racing to Mildenhall Stadium in the 2027 season.