LEICESTER captain Danny King went through the pain barrier to qualify for the British Final via Tuesday’s semi on his home track.
King, who rode with his arm heavily strapped following his crash at Ipswich just under a fortnight ago, collected nine points from four rides to comfortably reach the Final at Belle Vue on June 11.
The 2016 Champion gave himself plenty of breathing space with two early wins, and then took no chances in following Lewis Kerr home in Heat 9 before picking up another point in Heat 15.
King was clearly feeling the effects of the injury in that ride, and with qualification secure by that stage he withdrew from his last outing.
The meeting was won by Somerset and Lakeside man Richard Lawson, who edged out Chris Harris on count-back after both riders finished on 13 points, whilst Scott Nicholls completed the rostrum finishers with 12.
Kerr, Richie Worrall, Ben Barker and Adam Ellis also made it through to next month’s National Speedway Stadium showpiece.
The other two Lions in the line-up both scored five points, with James Sarjeant starting with a battling second place in Heat 3 but then suffering two last places before improving in his final rides.
Kyle Newman was last in his opener before picking up a second place and three thirds, but it wasn’t enough to make it through.
Lions head to King’s Lynn on Wednesday in the second leg of their KO Cup quarter-final, and a preview of that meeting will be issued in the morning.
BRITISH SEMI-FINAL, at Leicester
1. Richard Lawson (Somerset / Lakeside) 13
2. Chris Harris (Rye House / Glasgow) 13
3. Scott Nicholls (Rye House / Peterborough) 12
4. Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn / Glasgow) 12
5. Richie Worrall (Poole / Glasgow) 11
6. Danny King (Leicester / Ipswich) 9
7. Ben Barker (Redcar) 8
8. Adam Ellis (Swindon / Lakeside) 8
Other scorers: David Howe 6, Ashley Morris 6, Kyle Newman 5, James Sarjeant 5, Ben Morley 4, Simon Lambert 3, James Shanes 3, Matt Williamson 1, Tom Woolley (Reserve) 1
