Under-19 Club & Over 50 Championships

 

Sunday 12 July, Wednesfield

Report: Kevin Turley, Wednesfield Aces Cycle Speedway Club

Images: Andy Whitehouse

 

On Saturday 12th July 2008 Wednesfield Aces staged the British Under 19's Club Championship and the British Veteran 50+ Individual Championship. The weather was kind and the Wednesfield track looked immaculately prepared.

Under-19 Semi Final 1: The long day of racing began at 12 o'clock noon with the first semi final of the under 19's, the racing was fast a furious and very competitive around this very large track. At the half way stage you could see that the home team was beginning to take a commanding lead and that Great Blakenham and Sandwell needed to fight it out between themselves for the second place. In the end both these two teams ended the semi final on 39 points; therefore it was down to a run to determine who would qualify. Josh Brook from Great Blakenham won the toss of the coin and chose grid two leaving Sandwell's Jamie Ball on grid four. Josh Brook was in fine form and went on to win the race with Jamie Ball sliding off on the last lap.

Under-19 Semi Final 2: The second semi final only had three teams in it due to Colchester pulling out of the event in the morning, therefore each race only had three riders competing. At the half way stage Sheffield were on 26pts, followed closely by Hethersett with 25pts and Leicester 21 points. In the end Hethersett took advantage of their grid ones and won the semi final on 52 points, Sheffield finished second and also qualified through to the final.

Under-19 Semi Final: The final at 5:00 PM saw a marvellous display of young talent; each rider rode their heart out for their respective club. Hethersett had a great first half and at the interval shared the lead with Wednesfield on 22 points, followed closely by Great Blakenham on 18 points and Sheffield 17 points. In the second half the young guns of Wednesfield Aces really turned the screw and showed determination and character around their home track. Tom Haddock was just unstoppable and ended the whole day unbeaten. Dayle Peace and Sam Smith rode brilliantly to win their last race from grid four; even eleven year old Matthew Haddock replaced Scott Doherty and came a very respective third in heat fifteen.

With regards to the team who would end up runners up, there was real fight on between Hethersett and Great Blakenham. After heat twelve Hethersett was on 30 points and had their grid two's left. However the advantage seemed to be with Great Blakenham on 26 points who ended the final with inside grids. Great Blakenham gave it their all but just could not claw back the four points that they were behind.

So there it was Wednesfield Aces were crowned British Under 19's Club Champions 2008, winning the final on 51 points. Runners up were Hethersett who finished on 40 points, third was Great Blakenham on 37 points and fourth Sheffield who ended the final on 29 points. All the finalists were awarded medals and Wednesfield, Hethersett and Great Blakenham enjoyed the rostrum celebrations and the traditional popping of the Champaign bottle.

Results

U19 Semi Final 1          
Team A Sandwell 39 (Run Off Jamie Ball Grid 4 2nd)    
Team B Hull 28         
Team C Great Blakenham 39 (Run Off Josh Brook Grid 2 1st) 
Team D Wednesfield 49         
           
U19 Semi Final 2          
Team A Colchester DNS       
Team B Sheffield 47         
Team C Hethersett 52         
Team D Leicester 41         
           
U19 Final          
Team A Great Blakenham 37 (Dan Osboarn 9pts, Andy Turnbull 10pts, Marcus Szyszlyk 6pts, Josh Brook 12pts)    
Team B Wednesfield 51 (Tom Haddock 16pts, Scott Doherty 9pts, Sam Smith 12pts, Dayle Peace 12pts, Matthew Haddock 2pts)    
Team C Sheffield 29 (Ryan Hoyland 6pts, Jamie Brown 11pts, Leon Wild 8pts, Liam Webster 4 pts)
Team D Hethersett 40 (David Adams 9 pts, Jazz Abbott 13 pts, Ben Collins 7 pts, Phil Adams 7 pts, Dan Chambers 4 pts)

 

Updated Club Championship Table

British Veteran 50+ Individual Championship: Earlier in the day there was the qualifying round for the British Veteran 50+ Individual Championship 2008, this was to bring nineteen riders down to sixteen for the final at 6:30pm. The format used was based on not points scored but the position you finished, for example if you won a race you automatically qualified to the final. At the end and a lot of very tired old legs it was unfortunate that Mel Perkins did not qualify to the final. Dave Baxter was first reserve and ever young Chic Mackie second reserve.

Wow! What a final it had everything, fast racing, great passing, electric gating, determination and passion. This final had it all, even the five riders who were over 60 made it to the final albeit Chic Mackie was second reserve.

 

It began with Ian Lawrence and Mick Aris setting the pace winning their first two rides, followed closely by Paul Timms, Colin Wheeler and Mike Burgess who had only dropped one point. During the next ten heats you saw some fantastic racing; it was hard to believe that these riders were all over fifty years of age. After heat sixteen all the riders had completed four rides each, it was at this stage of the final that you could see who would possibly go on and be in contention at the end. For the over 50's Ian Lawrence had won all of his four rides, Colin Wheeler had just dropped one point and Mike Burgess two points. The over 60's, Colin Wheeler was in great form for his age, this to the extent that it looked as though he was going to get on the rostrum in both the over 50's and over 60's. Roger Ellis was on 10 points and John Whiting was on 8 points.

Ian Lawrence went on to win his last race from grid two and retain the title he won last year to become the British Grand Veteran 50+ Individual Champion 2008. Mike Burgess finished the final as runner up on 18 points and Paul Timms who had to beat Colin Wheeler in his last race to secure a place on the rostrum.

 

Colin Wheeler also retained the title he won last year to become the British Super Veteran 60+ Individual Champion 2008. Roger Ellis was runner up one position better than last year and third was John Whiting.

All the finalists were awarded medals and the top three from the both age categories enjoyed the rostrum celebrations and the traditional popping of the Champaign bottle.

 

Finally, despite this being a great day of cycle speedway racing at Ashmore Park Wednesfield, a special mention must go to Mick Aris who fell off in heat 11 and hurt his hand. This to the extent that Mick had to pull out of the final and first reserve Dave Baxter took the rest of his rides. After going to the hospital Mick Aris later confirmed that he had broken a bone in his hand. We all wish Mick the very best and hopefully a speedy recovery.

 

Results

British Veteran 50 + Individual Final    
1 Ian Lawrence 20 - 1st Over 50
2 Mike Burgess 18 - 2nd Over 50
3 Paul Timms 17 - 3rd Over 50
4 Colin Wheeler* 16 - 1st Over 60
5 Bob Prince 15  
6 Fred Rothwell 14  
7 Roger Ellis* 13 - 2nd Over 60
8 Mick Pedley 13  
9 Dave Palfryman 11  
10 Phil Hemming 10  
11 John Whiting* 10 - 3rd Over 60
12 Phil Widdas 10  
13 John Mrphy* 8  
14 Les Stevens 8  
15 Mick Aris 8  
16 Mike Hack 6  
1st Res Dave Baxter 2