Sworder slices through the field to take a seventh final victory at King’s Lynn

Where: Norfolk Arena When: July 23 Starters: 43

By his own admission Mick Sworder had a slow start to the season, but in recent weeks he has returned to form. That culminated in a heat and final win at King’s Lynn on Saturday night for his seventh final victory at the Norfolk venue.

Mark Sargent led the opening laps with Ben Hurdman and Dave Willis in pursuit. Behind them, all hell broke loose as many of the top drivers were involved in a pile-up at the first turn. Sworder was able to escape the melee and quickly began to reel in the race leaders.

On lap five, Sworder forced his way into the lead and began to open up a gap over his rivals. But, just before the halfway point, the yellow flags came out after Nigel Harrhy slammed into the first turn wall and required medical attention.

On the ensuing restart, Sworder once again gained control of the race and was never challenged over the remaining distance.

Behind him, European champion Dan Johnson moved into second as Hurdman and Willis retired after visiting the fence. James Morris moved to third to complete the podium.

“Normally I would hang back on the first lap and let everyone sort themselves out, but for some reason this time I just went for it from the drop of the green, I couldn’t believe how quick I got through, I must have passed all the red tops in one corner,” said Sworder. “I just don’t know why the car is so good tonight, we haven’t changed it but in the last few meetings it is just handling so well. Paul Harrison caught me towards the end, but I knew he was a lap down as I remembered passing him early in the race, but I didn’t know who was second.

“I tried looking at the scoreboard but that isn’t easy when you are trying to get one of these cars round the track.”

Result 1 Mick Sworder; 2 Dan Johnson; 3 James Morris; 4 Mark Woodhull; 5 Paul Harrison; 6 Rob Speak; 7 Frankie Wainman, Junior Jr; 8 Murray Jones; 9 Peter Allin; no other finishers.