Dudley Heathens overcome tourists

Dudley Heathens 49 USA Tourists 37

Dudley Heathens gained revenge for last year's defeat at the hands of the Americans - but they are in the kart for Sunday's league match at Mildenhall.

No 1 Jon Armstrong suffered a fractured rib in the indoor go-karting element of last week's team bonding day.

The veteran successfully rode through the pain on Saturday at Stoke's big-bended and slick circuit, racking up paid 13 points.

But the tighter turns and deeper shale at Monmore Green last night left the 36-year-old clutching his side as early as the warm-up laps.

It came as no surprise when he retired from his only race. Dudley are now checking on their guest options for the National League opener at Mildenhall, ironically one of Armstrong's former clubs.

He said: "I'm very sore. I've got a fractured rib. I could feel it on Saturday but a bit of adrenalin masks it. It was slick, the bends are bigger and I could let the bike do the work.

"But here, as I went into the corner, as soon as I tried it I nearly let go of the bike. In my heart I want to be at Mildenhall. I love the place, love the track and I want to be there and be part of us hopefully getting our first win in the league.

"If I go there and the same thing happens that puts so much pressure on the team. The reserves have got to do the rest of the rides. It would be a bit selfish of me to do it.

"I think I've got to go with my head and say I'll have to sit it out."

While Dudley lost Armstrong last night, the Americans suffered the same fate when Austin Novratil came to grief in his first ride.

Indeed, there were five falls, a lay down and Armstrong's retirement in the first three races alone as both teams struggled with a grippy surface.

If anything the visitors' mixture of canny 50-somethings and raw teenage talent coped the better until the track slickened off and the home team's quicker starts came more into play.

Eddie Castro - at 52 older than three of the heat two riders put together - took two heat wins and featured in the race of the night in the eleventh.

Home hero Adam Roynon had looked unbeatable all evening only for Castro to steam through on the inside down the back straight.

But Roynon, making wide approaches and tight turns to create a 'long straight', gradually reeled him in and struck on the final lap.

Roynon ultimately went through the card and his best backing came from the battered Ashley Morris, who had one of those nights occasionally suffered by riders when they seem to be caught up in everyone else's accident.

He still put together a paid 12 return and his penultimate heat 5-1 with Darryl Ritchings sealed the destination of the Travel Plus Trophy.

Castro and McConnell rolled back the years for the Americans but it was New Yorker Mikey Buman who topped their chart with a startling paid 17.

The 19-year-old, who took two winter jobs to finance his trip and is staying on in Britain as he chases extra rides. He could be one to watch.

By Tim Hamblin