Location: Leicester Cycle Speedway, Slater Street, Leicester
Event: 20 April 2013
Report: Ross Mee
The 2013 Eurovets series started with a well-attended round in the sunshine at Slater Street.
In the Over 40s category the defending champion Mark Griffiths was the winner of the A final, leading home Norman Venson. Griffiths had dropped just one point in the qualifying heats, losing out to Dave Frith.
Frith suffered bike problems in his first race when leading which cost him a place in the A final, but he was a clear winner of the B final. In the heats Pete Chant suffered a nasty looking collision with the starting gate after a fall, but recovered to claim third place overall.
The combined Over 50/60s competition also produced some lively racing.
It was soon apparent that the competition was between home rider Mick Skinner, Mike Burgess and Dave Murphy and after two unbeaten rides each they met in heat 11, when Skinner with a fine spot of overtaking came out the winner.
Meanwhile, Joe McLaughlin had steadily being picking up second places and he joined the above three in the A final. Skinner off gate one and Murphy got into a tangle on the first bend, and Burgess and McLaughlin took advantage to claim first and second places respectively.
In the Over 60s Mick Aris lead home John Whiting, who battled hard to beat series organiser Fred Rothwell.
Special mention must be made of Mick Aris and Paul Timms who took a total of twelve rides each during the afternoon.
The competition now moves to Newcastle on May 4.
Results:
Over 40s:
A final – Mark Griffiths, Norman Venson, Pete Chant, Dave Meanley
B final – Dave Frith, Paul Timms, Steve Hodgkinson, Paul Gibbs
Over 50s:
A final – Mike Burgess, Joe McLaughlin, Mick Skinner, Dave Murphy
B final – Paul Timms, Steve Woodroof, Mick Aris, Fred Rothwell
Over 60s:
A Final – Mick Aris, John Whiting, Fred Rothwell, Chic Mackie