TEAM boss Cami Brown admits he is “super-proud” of his team and club after narrowly missing out on the Cab Direct Championship title.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers lost a dramatic Super Heat decider to Poole at Ashfield on Friday night.
But 24 hours after the event, Brown was doing his best not to be too downhearted by the heartbreaking last race defeat.
He said: “It’s tough for every fan when you are just 60 seconds from winning the title.
“Ultimately I am still a fan. I love this club and obviously I wanted us to get the win over the line. But this is sport, it’s sweet when you win it and gutting when you don’t.
“But I really don’t want the result to deflect from what has been another fantastic season for the club. There are so many positives. I’m super-proud of what has been achieved.
“The entire team have been immense all season. They have given their all in every meeting. That’s all we can ask for.
“Chris (Harris), Villads (Nagel), Dan (Thompson), Leon (Flint), Kyle (Howarth), Freddy (Hodder), Max (Perry) and Ashton (Boughen) were all outstanding.
“I want to also thank the fans again. They have been incredible with such loyal support home and away. It was great to see such huge crowds for our last two meetings. The atmosphere for both was sensational.
“There’s also a very special mention for our loyal band of volunteers who sweat blood for this club, including our brilliant track staff who work tirelessly to make it one of the best circuits in the UK.”
Brown also believes that the club is progressing every season.
The Tigers have now appeared in five Championship Grand Finals in 10 seasons since the Facenna family took ownership of the club, three over the past five campaigns.
There has also been a league title win, KO Cup, two Pairs and two Championship Rider title victories in that era.
Brown added: “It’s nice to reach finals but you want to win them. Our conversion rate is not good enough.
“But we’ve only failed to reach the play-offs once in 10 seasons. After that it’s a bit of a lottery. You need a bit of luck and perhaps we’ve not had that in the past.
“I think the luck evened itself out in this year’s final with Poole and in the semi-final with Edinburgh.
“The Monarchs were excellent in the semi and it was a great occasion. Equally the Poole final was great entertainment for the fans.
“I think it’s important to be gracious in victory and in defeat and I was curious to read that Poole were surprised by our gate choice for the Super Heat, when they actually won the coin toss and picked the gates.
“But fair play to Poole. They got the job done when it mattered. Their riders were superb. It takes two teams to make a great final and they made it a fabulous occasion.
“It’s nice to read the hundreds of positive comments from all fans on social media.
“The Facennas pride themselves on delivering the best possible racing at Ashfield. They are certainly succeeding at that.
“We had a huge crowd and so many young kids and that’s so encouraging for the future of the sport.
“You have to take the victories with defeats in sport. But the main thing is that we have a thriving club. We own our stadium, the crowds are coming back big time and we have brilliant entertainment. The future is very bright.”