Race ace reaches showpiece final

Gilbank put in a solid drive at Belle Vue on Monday, finishing fourth in the second of the semi-finals.

He’ll now join Wickersley’s Paul Harrison in the final at Northampton a fortnight tomorrow.

At the Manchester circuit, Gilbank lined up on the outside of row six and when the green flag went out front row starters Dan Johnson and Tom Harris slipped wide and Matt Newson took the lead.

An early caution was called before the race restarted with Jonhson still holding the lead and Gilbank moving up to fifth place.

Gilbank then nudged Finnikin wide to go into fourth and with two laps left Paul Hines passed Johnson to win, with Gilbank just missing out on a rostrum place.

Gilbank will now line up on the fifth row in the final at Northampton.

After winning the toss for front row starting postions, Hines chose the inside grid so Harrison will start the big race on the outside.