Honour is Barker's to keep as he sets a new track record

THEY may have gone down to defeat to old adversaries Poole Pirates, but speedway enthusiasts were treated to a moment of history when Plymouth Gladiators' fan favourite Ben Barker broke the track record at the Coliseum on Friday night.

- STUART JAMES

Taking gate three in heat five of their KO Cup quarter-final clash, Barker roared out of the traps and got the drop on the Pirates' Steve Worrall and reached the first bend in front. It was a lead he was never going to relinquish as he held Worrall at bay to take the chequered flag in 49.19, beating the time set by his Gladiators team-mate Richie Worrall at the back end of last season.

"Finally!" said Barker, after years of trying to get the coveted prize. "It was good, I have been after it for some time.

"It's nice to have some bikes that are working really well and I have some great sponsors behind me at the moment and everything is heading in the right direction.

"I always feel quick when I am in front at Plymouth, I genuinely feel really quick. But you just don't know, do you? It was only when I got back in and Simmo (Mark Simmonds) told me. It had already been announced and I was a bit surprised that I'd got it.