PIRATES skipper Danny King was one of the riders left rueing the weather as Monday night's British final was washed out at Belle Vue.

A steady flow of rain eventually saw track conditions ruled unsafe after heats, with parts of shale underwater.

After lengthy meetings involving all the riders, it was decided the meeting would be abandoned, with no result declared. It will instead be re-run at a later date.

However, with no date available ahead of the British Grand Prix in Cardiff on August 13, the wildcard spot reserved for the winner of the British final has instead gone to Adam Ellis, the 2021 British champion.

British Speedway Promoters' Ltd chairman Rob Godfrey said: “There was a procedure in the rulebook by which after Heat 12 a result could be called.

“But after consultation between the riders and the SCB, the riders weren’t particularly happy, so myself and Damien (Bates, vice chairman) intervened and factored in a good solution.

“The result will be null and void, and we will re-run this meeting. Every rider wanted to re-run this meeting. They all want to be British champion, and we understand that.

“We do apologise to everyone, but it is the British weather – and it’s 16 riders who are passionate about being British champion. They want the opportunity to race 22 heats, and that’s what’s going to happen.”

Dan Bewley, Chris Harris and Tom Brennan were all tied on eight points apiece at the top of the standings after heat 12, while King was well-placed on seven points, following back-to-back race wins.

He finished ahead of Charles Wright, Kyle Howarth and Connor Mountain in heat five, before leading home Pirates teammate Steve Worrall in heat 12, with Lewis Kerr in third.

Worrall had picked up five points from his three rides, impressing to win heat eight ahead of Brennan, brother Richie Worrall and Danyon Hume.

The third Pirates star in action on the night, Richard Lawson, collected four points from his three outings.

Poole return to action tonight, away at Oxford Cheetahs in the Championship Jubilee League, before hosting the same opponents on Wednesday.

Standings before meeting was abandoned: Tom Brennan 8, Chris Harris 8, Dan Bewley 8, Danny King 7, Scott Nicholls 7, Kyle Howarth 6, Steve Worrall 5, Lewis Kerr 5, Charles Wright 5, Richard Lawson 4, Richie Worrall 3, Leon Flint 2, Connor Mountain 1, Paul Starke 1, Adam Ellis 1, Jack Smith (res) 1, Danyon Hume 0.