A HOTLY-CONTESTED night of racing in Blunsdon served up another perfect tribute to Swindon Robins legend Bob Kilby at Thursday’s memorial meeting.

In the perfect precursor to the upcoming Elite League season, a quality field roared around the Abbey Stadium, with a series of thrilling heats ending with Belle Vue Aces star Scott Nicholls beating former Swindon captain Hans Andersen and Freddie Lindgren in a run-off.

Bob Kilby’s son Lee was delighted with another fine evening of racing dedicated to his father’s memory, which also served to whet the appetite of Robins fans just over a week before the start of the upcoming campaign.

“At the start of the year, everyone’s keen and everyone wants to ride, and it gives it that real competitive edge,” said Lee.

“It was a cold night and I’m really thankful for everyone that came. The riders put everything on the line and it’s lovely to be able to remember dad in that way.

“It’s what he did. It was his job, it was his life and it’s what he’s rightly remembered for.

“He’s Swindon through and through and it’s a fantastic occasion for me, my sons, my mum, my sisters and my nephews.”

Andersen and Swede Freddie Lindgren were the early pace-setters on the night, with both riders showing no signs of off-season rustiness as they confidently put points on the board.

Swindon’s Nick Morris had a thrilling battle with fellow Australian youngster Josh Grajczonek in heat 14 and failed to take victory by a whisker as he was pipped on the final straight before Nicholls roared his way into contention with victories in his next three outings, with the former British champion upsetting the home crowd by beating Robins skippers past and present - Troy Batchelor and Andersen - in heat 16.

Nicholls maintained his upward trajectory with a supreme victory in heat 19 and he was soon warming up his bike in preparation for a sixth outing of the evening after Andersen’s victory over Lindgren in heat 20 left the trio in a deadlock.

That set up a run-off showdown in heat 21 and, continuing his near-perfect form on the night, Nicholls put in another assured ride and saw off his challengers to take the trophy.

The memorial meeting winner said: “I was a bit of a tough start with a few little bike gremlins – I almost didn’t make it to the line but that point (in heat one) was valuable and got me into the run-off.

“There was some great racing. I never got to meet Bob but he was a pretty special character around these parts so I was honoured to be here and delighted to get the win.

“It was a great line-up and that makes it more special for me to win. These times of year, you want to be up against some great competition to gauge yourself and get sharp and fit.

“It was a great victory for me and nice to get a good win under the belt early doors.”

Final standings (after 20 heats): Scott Nicholls: 13 (1, 3, 3, 3, 3); Hans Andersen: 13 (3, 3, 3, 1, 3); Freddie Lindgren: 13 (3, 3, 3, 2, 2); Troy Batchelor: 12 (3, 1, 2, 2, 3); Chris Harris: 11 (2, 2, 3, 3, 2); Nick Morris: 9 (2, 2, R, 2, 3); Justin Sedgmen: 9 (3, R, 2, 2, 2); Josh Grajczonek: 8 (2, 3, 0, 3, 0); Max Fricke: 7 (1, 2, 0, 6, 1); Sam Masters: 7 (2, 1, 1, 1, 2); Brady Kurtz: 5 (1, 2, 2, 0, R); Bjarne Pedersen: 4 (0, 0, 3, 1, 0); Sam Simota: 4 (0, 1, 1, 1, 1,); Steve Worrall: 3 (1, 1, 1, 0, 0); Charles Wright: 2 (0, 0, 0, 1, 1); Lewis Rose: 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0).