TEAM Great Britain advanced to the Speedway of Nations final tonight after earning an automatic qualification spot at the second race-off in Manchester.

Tai Woffinden, Robert Lambert and Craig Cook finished their six qualifying rides on 23 points, two ahead of third placed Australia – who later reached the final after defeating Czech Republic in the run-off.

Sweden were the other nation to qualify from the second race-off after Fredrik Lindgren and Antonio Lindback recorded 26 points.

Meanwhile there was heartache for Swindon racer David Bellego, who missed out on a spot in the deciding run-off after his French teammate Dimitri Berge suffered a mechanical failure while France were set to beat Czech Republic in the first run-off.

The night marked the start of what appears to be a bright future for French speedway though, who by no means disgraced themselves – picking up 14 points.

Finland and Italy were the other two nations to miss out after scoring 14 and eight points respectively from their qualifying races.

Great Britain’s night started nervously against France though as Craig Cook was warned for moving at the start when under orders before picking up third as Woffinden led home a GB 4-2.

Rossiter opted to switch Cook with Lambert, and the change worked as the GB youngster paired up with Woffinden to earn back-to-back 5-1s against Finland and Czech Republic.

Amid Great Britain’s improving form, Team Australia struggled.

Mark Lemon’s men dropped points against Sweden and France – points which ultimately cost them an automatic spot in the final later on in the meeting.

Great Britain suffered their own wobble in heat 13 when Nicolas Covatti split Woffinden and Lambert as GB were forced to settle for a 4-2.

It got worse for Rossiter’s men when Aussies Jason Doyle and Max Fricke raced to an unlikely 5-1 in heat 17, which meant GB had to match of better Australia’s efforts against Finland in heat 19 to qualify.

Finland earned a shock 3-3, meaning GB required only a race win to advance.

And two-times World Champion Tai Woffinden didn’t let his country down as he led home a GB 4-2 with Lambert in third.

The result means Alun Rossiter’s troops join Poland, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Australia and Sweden in Friday and Saturday’s final over two legs in Wroclaw, Poland.