Leigh Lanham almost pulled off one of the major shocks of the season when competing in the Championship of Great Britain at Coventry on Saturday night.

The 25 year-old Arena Essex rider finished the meeting with 10 points just failing to finish in a top five position which would have earned him a nomination for the 2003 Qualifying Round for a Grand Prix place and a chance of the World Championship.

And it was only a controversial final race which saw Lanham slip out of a qualifying spot.

He was the innocent victim in a physical first bend scrap in heat 19 and found himself pushed wide and was then passed by Chris Harris who relegated Lanham to last place.

Published Monday October 14, 2002

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