Ex World Champs Clash in Vets Title Battle

News Posted: 5th September 2008 

Horspath near Oxford hosts the last cycle speedway national outdoor championship of the season this Saturday, when the veteran 40+ title will be fiercely contested.

Cornwall’s Ian Lawrence is the defending champion and also holds the current over 50's title. He stands on the brink of a unique triple: the chance to win both over 40 and over 50 titles in three successive years with three different clubs.  However he knows that the odds on achieving this have lengthened considerably, because in 2008 this particular category has become a whole lot tougher.

Above: Brown and Harris

Below: Lawrence and Newey, all set for the battle

New to the veteran class this year is 1999 World Champion Steve Harris.  Riding on his home track, and bolstered by his fine performance at the recent senior individual championship, where he became the first rider in history to reach 19 successive finals, Steve starts as overwhelming favourite: but he must overcome some strong challenges.  Mark Newey of Leicester is a former double World Champion and newcomer to the 40+ ranks, and like Harris still rides at the highest level in the Premier League.  Others eligible in this category for the first time include Irish international Gary Colby, Somersham’s Gary Brown and former Scotland captain Pete Young.  And don’t discount the comeback men: Wednesfield’s Andy Franks, who won the title in 2005 but hasn’t contested it since, and club mate Mark Griffiths, who helped the midlands outfit to the veteran club title earlier this year.

Before the final can commence, there is the small matter of qualifying, where four riders must be eliminated.  The qualifying round is scheduled for 1:00 pm, with the final following at 3:30 pm.

Qualifying draw (revised following withdrawals)

1           Paul Gibbs            Filton

2           Paul Timms           Birmingham

3           Andre Cross          Poole

4           Ian Lawrence         Filton

5           Gary Brown           Somersham

6           Timothy Grimes     Hethersett

7           David Palfreyman   Filton

8           Pete Young           Southampton

9           Norman Venson     Leicester

10         Martin Glover         Horspath

11         Andy Franks         Wednesfield

12         Darren Kent           Heckmondwike

13         Gary Colby            Norwich

14         Mike Burgess        Filton

15         Mark Newey          Leicester

16         Dave Murphy         Poole

17         Les Stevens          East London

18         Phil  Widdas         Birmingham

19         Steve Harris          Horspath

20         Mark Griffiths         Wednesfield