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Location: Bury Cycle Speedway, Goshen Sports Centre, Lancashire
Event: 29 September 2012
With most of the overall positions decided, 16 riders still contested the final round, a strong wind and cold conditions didn’t help but there was still plenty of good racing.
Referee Callaghan called riders forward for race one duly won by Gavin Parr from Dave Meanley, Phil Hemming held off Hubble for race 2, whilst mark Griffith beat Aris Whiting and Machie. Two good wins for Dave Frith followed and usual suspects Parr, Griffiths and Hubble took the next three races, highlighted in the eighth by a classic leg from Aris on Dyson, Mick rightly having his matching orders.
The top four of Griffiths, Hubble, Frith and Parr continued their winning ways, and by race 12 had only dropped one point between them. Dave Meanley and Norman Venson had a consistent record, three seconds each and were the only other riders likely to trouble the top four.
Race 13, and not unlucky for Venson, as he won it from Meanley and Aris. Race 14 and the top four all meet, lots of bumping and boring and Dave Frith ends up on the deck, with Griffith winning from Hubble and Parr, Newcastle’s Jason Kenny takes 15th and Joe McLaughlin 16th.
With a race to go, Meanley broke his run of threes and made it a four taking the 17th from a challenging Hubble. Whiting couldn’t defeat three of Newcastle’s finest but ends up third, Frith returns to winning ways in the 19th from Aris and Rothwell, with Mark Griffith completing a fine 20 points in race 20.
The usual preamble as Fred vanishes for three hours to sort out all the various Finals. First up, and a convincing win from Mick Aris to Fred Rothwell, Whiting and Mackie in the over 60s. Fresh legs needed for the Bury lads as they are out in the over 50 B final, Phil Hemming taking that from Rothwell and Fred Street.
In the A-Final Hubble needed to win which he did despite the attentions of McLaughlin with Dyson repaying a little bit of the leg in passing Aris. In the 40s B-Final, Venson won from Meanley and McLaughlin with Jason Keith taking a nasty first bend fall. The final-final of 2012 and Gavin Parr was unlucky to be ruled out after a ‘bit’ of a ram from Dave Frith. Rerun and as Griffith’s gated and moved away, Hubble passed Frith with a lap to go for second.
Presentations followed with Stuart Howarth and Kevin Smith presenting a massive amount of trophies on behalf of Kimpton Building Services plus excellent jackets for the first three supplied by Steve Mullinder’s Dash Trophies. Awards to the various finals for today were followed by the overall presentations.
Mick Aris took the over 60s, Fred Rothwell second and there was a big cheer for Chic Mackie in third place.
Dennis Hubble retained his over 50s title with Mick Aris close behind and Joe McLaughlin after a slow start taking the third place.
Mark Griffith retained his over 40s title dropping very few points along the way. Dennis Hubble taking second and Dave Frith third, Norman Venson Dave Meanley, Phil Hemming were always in contention, Norman missing the first two meetings.
Mark also received the magnificent Brian Moston Memorial Trophy presented by Derek Hertzog a member of Carrs Woods winning BTC Team. There was a special presentation to Chic Mackie who rode in all nine events; a terrific credit given Bury is his nearest match Edinburgh accepted. Never mind Chic Glasgow next year. Messrs Griffiths Hubble and Aris walking away with boxes full of trophies.
On behalf of organiser’s Fred Rothwell and Kevin Smith a big thank you to all the staging tracks, all the sponsors whose contribution is very much appreciated and valued, all the riders who have produced plenty of great racing, most of the time in a gentlemanly fashion, and finally to those much maligned people without whom we wouldn’t have a sport, the referees.
Overall scores (Top 8 of 9 rounds counting. Maximum points achievable 200)
Over 40s Mark Griffith 197; Dave Frith 176; Dennis Hubble 161
Over 50s Dennis Hubble 173 Mick Aris 167 Joe McLaughlin 164
Over 60s Mick Aris 200 Fred Rothwell 182 Chic Mackie 165
