In Danny’s column this week he takes a look at his qualification for the British Final, does the sport need one league? And how well Rory Schlein is racing right now.

%image(15186481, type="article-full", alt="Michael Hartel (blue helmet) and team-mate Danny King crash. King's arm trapped under the back wheel of Hartel's bike. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com")

Mission accomplished, I suppose you could say.

On Tuesday night I managed to get through to the British Final after giving it a go at Leicester in the semi-finals and getting nine points, despite my arm still far from right.

Some may think I am daft, some may think I was mad, I won’t tell you what my wife Clara thought!

But, anyone who knows not just me, but most speedway riders, knows these things sometimes have to be done.

Let me say one thing from the off though.

I would never have ridden at Leicester if I didn’t feel I was going to be safe.

There is enough danger in the sport without riders going out there not being able to hold onto the bike, or move properly.

%image(15332697, type="article-full", alt=""But you can't still be No.1 Danny after all the points I'm racking up." - Rory Schlein, right and Danny King share a joke. OK, so not quite what they said. The pair get on well Photo: STEVE WALLER")

I was never in that position on Tuesday night.

My arm was just sore, no more. I could grip fine.

However, after two rides on the trot and my points up to nine, I felt it sensible to call it a day. My arm was really beginning to hurt then.

The British Final only comes round once a season and I loved winning it a couple of years back.

I want my title back and with no wild card entrants this season, if I missed out on Tuesday, then I missed out overall.

So, I’m 100% glad I rode.

Not only did I ride, but my first two rides felt really good.

%image(15332699, type="article-full", alt="Be great to have our mate Nico Covatti back soon. Here is Danny King and Covatti last season after a last-heat 5-1.")

As, I said, it was my third and fourth rides so quickly together that started to take their toll and there was no way I could ride for Leicester at King’s Lynn last night. My arm was just so sore next morning.

I would have had to do at least four rides and if I had only managed one and then had to pull out, that really would have been letting the fans down.

So, while I did not ride last night, at least I gave the Lions notice, rather than try to race and then pull out because it was too much.

The arm is still very swollen and I went to the physio straightaway yesterday.

It’s not broken but it’s got nerve damage and is still painful.

I need ice on it a lot and also plenty of rest (in between when I’m trying to qualify for the British Final!).

It’s getting there and I have no meeting this weekend, so that gives me a bit more time to heal.

At the moment, I have a meeting for Leicester against Wolves on Monday night.

Hopefully I’ll be good for that and then get back with the Witches next Thursday for our Championship clash with Berwick.

MORE: British U19 preview at Foxhall tonight

Talking of the Witches, it’s a shame we didn’t get any points at Berwick on Saturday night.

I see ‘English’ got a max – (that’s Rory Schlein’s nickname by the way).

And what a maximum.

Rory is flying and what a fantastic effort by him to get that max.

He’s enjoying a great season and I am so pleased for him. We get on great and he’s such a buzz for the whole team.

I can’t wait to get back to give him a hand up at the top order.

I noticed Rory was holding a few polls on Twitter this week about speedway and fans’ thoughts.

It was good stuff and I enjoyed reading them.

One thing that cropped up and caused interesting and divided debate was British Speedway becoming one league.

I assume that would mean the Championship and Premiership joining together and being boosted by the top National League riders.

Personally, I quite enjoy doubling up, but I can understand if fans feel they are not seeing enough meetings on a regular basis.

I wouldn’t want one league but if you were going to do so, you would need enough meetings to make it worth it. So, home and away twice, perhaps with just one KO Cup competition, split perhaps north and south.

But all that’s for next winter.

MORE: Schlein to the max but Witches lose at Berwick

No Witches meeting at Foxhall tonight, but the British U19 Final should be a cracking little clash.

There are some brilliant young riders around, led by Dan Bewley of Belle Vue.

He’s not only superb, but a really bright and polite young man too. Much like Mildenhall’s Drew Kemp. He’s another who has been riding well this season.

Both very polite youngsters and keen to learn.

So, all in all it’s been a testing week.

I’m glad I rode at Leicester and I hope to be back next Thursday for the Witches. I know Nico Covatti hopes to be back too.

Could it be that the Witches are all back together again?

Here’s hoping.

DANNY

AS TOLD TO MIKE BACON