The Belle Vue Aces were crowned 2017 Knock Out Cup Champions on home shale at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday after an intensive tussle with fierce rivals Wolverhampton.
The Rentruck Aces tailed by 10 points going into the second-leg decider, their second attempt at running the meeting after the original staging was postponed due to inclement weather last week.
After three heats, the hosts had quashed the advantage held by the Parrys International Wolves and it was very much game on for the last piece of coveted silverware of the 2017 campaign.
It brings to a close an incredible year for the team, who have battled relentlessly to earn the prize that now graces their trophy cabinet though Wolverhampton certainly made them work for it.
Delighted team boss Mark Lemon said: “It’s hard to believe we’ve won this amazing trophy. So much hard work, so much blood, sweat and tears have gone into this whole season it’s unreal.
“It’s a relief to finally see such a magnificent piece of silverware with our name on it. It’s been a tough year but all the boys have been exceptional. It’s definitely been a long time coming.
“As a rider I know how hard it is to win trophies but I had no idea as a manager how much harder the same accomplishment is! We’re just want to savour the moment. I’m so proud of this team.
“They knuckled down, and there were so many hurdles to overcome to get to this point but they tackled each one head on and you couldn’t ask for more than that from any of them.”
That concludes an amazing 2017 season for the Rentruck Aces, but there’s still plenty of speedway action to be had in Manchester before the calendar officially closes on October 31.
It’s a busy week across the board for the Cool Running Colts with meetings on Wednesday and Friday, before the club gathers for its end-of-season celebration, ‘The Maugers’ on October 21.
Tickets for all upcoming events are available online at www.bellevueaces.co. For bookings to The “Maugers”, please call 0161 711 0828 and choose Option 2 for Speedway.
Words: Hayley Bromley
Images: Ian Charles
