American aces are top at stadium

USA teenage star Mike Alessi, only 17 but already one of the top riders in the world, charged to victory over Canada’s Colton Faccotti and brother Jeff Alessi in the 125cc class on Saturday.

But the best race of an action-packed night was the open class.

The failure of the Alessi brothers to compete left the door open for Faccotti and he worked his way through the pack after crashing.

The pace-setters continually swapped positions with Britain’s Neville Bradshaw, who was runner-up in the championship before the race, somehow walking away unscathed after a horrendous crash when he landed from a 60-foot jump.

Rocker Stuart Cable, the Dirty Sanchez crew, ex-boxing champion Nicky Piper – who spectacularly crashed out of one heat – and former Wales rugby stars Ieuan Evans, Paul Thorburn and Nigel Walker were among those who took part in a series of charity races.

Held on a shortened course and racing on mini-bikes, the Western Mail’sAndy Howell finished runner-up in the final.