Wolves speedway hero Tai Woffinden in British title glory

Woffinden made up for the disappointment of last season's agonising defeat to get the better of reigning champion Scott Nicholls in the final to secure his first-ever senior championship. He becomes the first Wolves star to be crowned British champion.

And he is determined to win many more after a perfect performance in front of a bumper crowd.

Woffinden said: "It's been a long time coming and I've finally done it – I just can't explain how happy I am! I want to say thanks to the Wolves supporters.

"I hope this is the first of many, and I'd like to set a goal of breaking Scott's record (seven wins) over my career.

"It's going to be tough with some of the younger guys who are coming through and shining at the moment.

"But I'm still quite young myself, and I think there's still more to come so we'll just see what happens over the next few years.

"Massive thanks to the fans, who were incredible. The atmosphere was amazing when they called out my name, and they definitely gave me that little bit extra.

"I had a good meeting, and I couldn't ask for any better than a max. Even though I won my first three heats I wasn't too happy, but we made some changes which seemed to work and I never had any doubts from then.

"I made a great start when it mattered in the final, and that was just how much I wanted it."

Woffinden proposed a toast to absent friends after winning his first British Championship.

The Wolves ace, who has made a stunning start to the season in both the Grand Prix and Elite League, reeled off six perfect rides to secure the title on home shale.

He became the first Wolves rider to take the British crown in club colours – and he immediately dedicated his success to the memory of his father Rob and ex-GP star Lee Richardson.

The meeting was staged on the first anniversary of Richardson's death from injuries sustained in a crash in Poland – and Woffinden senior died three years ago.

"I'd like to dedicate this to Lee and my Dad," was Woffinden's reaction immediately afterwards.

From the moment he raced to victory in his opening ride there was a sense something special was about to happen.

Woffinden continued his dominance with further victories in his next three rides after some blistering gating.

He was handed a real challenge for the first time in heat 19 when Birmingham skipper Danny King emerged from the first bend ahead – yet Woffinden effortlessly picked him off to complete a clean sweep of wins in the qualifying heats.

Having booked a passage directly to the final, Woffinden overcame any doubts with a tapes-to-flag victory to send his home supporters into raptures.

Defending champion Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris joined Woffinden on the rostrum after their eight-year dominance of the event was brought to an end.

Nicholls put in a characteristic display, recovering from a slow start to notch three consecutive wins – the pick of which came with a sublime last-lap pass of Danny King in heat 13.

The trio were joined in the final by Craig Cook, who continues to go from strength to strength having only made the switch to speedway from motocross a few years ago.

Birmingham skipper King and Eddie Kennett fell just short of the grand final, bowing out at the semi-final stage having entered the meeting in strong form.

Swindon's Kennett had looked an early front-runner after three straight wins – yet he failed to book a place directly in the final and was passed late on by Nicholls in a tight semi-final.

As ever, it was a night of drama and controversy as Britain's best went hell for leather for that illustrious title. And it was Woffinden who stole the show with a performance right out of the top drawer.

Qualifying scorers: Tai Woffinden 15, Chris Harris 13, Craig Cook 12, Edward Kennett 12, Scott Nicholls 11, Danny King 10, Josh Auty 8, Jason Garrity 8, Chris Schramm 6, Oliver Allen 5, Richie Worrall 5, Kyle Howarth 5, Ben Barker 4, Ashley Birks 2, James Wright 1, Joe Haines 1, Kyle Newman 1 (reserve).

Semi-final: Cook, Nicholls, Kennett, King.

Final: Woffinden, Nicholls, Harris, Cook.