This event sponsored by Geoff Gamage.

What a cracking match this was after an even more cracking Lions v E-Vs opener. Plenty of close racing, yet more spills and thrills and some great performances. Rob Haywood looked the part from the off but his encounter with E-V series leader Colin Simmons almost wrecked his chances with a nasty bash on the knee after their first bend clash. Colin had led that one off the line but was overhauled by Rob and Rob Geach (doubling up after riding in the opening match) in the re-run to dent his chances of overall victory. Like his Astley & Tyldesley clubmates before him, Mark Grantham got stuck in and always looked a potential winner, stopped only by Rob H in the heats while the Poole man himself dropped a point to a freshly on-song Kev Greaves. These five always looked odds-on for the top places and so it proved, two run-offs necessary to decide the placings. Special mention as always to young Charles Mackie who dragged himself down from Glasgow to take part in the sport he's loved for so long. I'll say no more about the racing as there are probably more comprehensive reports elsewhere.

This was a super meeting to be involved in, the Vets racing is like wine (I had to take advice on this!) and just seems to get better with age.

Thanks to Mark Winwood for refereeing this one, Jason Keith for organising the pits and the Horspath backroom crew. And of course this event wouldn't have happened but for the sterling work and huge input of time, effort, cash and obvious respect for Horspath founder Wally Grant made by sponsor Geoff Gammage, thank you Geoff.

My light "kiss" with the Horspath fence coming out of turn four means I'll not forget this one in a hurry, as yet another broken hand will testify! Roll on Newport and the next Euro-Vets Grand prix round :)

 

Wally Grant prog