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A fantastic afternoon weather-wise at Queen Anne High School, Dunfermline awaited the arrival of the travelling Euro-Vets family for Round Five of the 2019 Grand Prix series. Everything looked pristine around the track, which itself had its normal loose top dressing, and that did create a few anxious moments (a lot, actually!) at the crown of the pits bend but as always it's the same for everyone.
First timers taking part in this one were Fife's very own Master of Ceremonies and creator of this brilliant facility, Craig Masson. He was joined by fellow Fife Revolution Danny Peoples and from near neighbours Glasgow Cyclones, rising star (and later starter in CS!) Simon Morris also took the plunge today. Below: Craig presents current Euro-Vets Champion Mark Winwood with his award:
Simon's teammates Colin Gray and Jim Alexander nipped across country to join us for this one and as always brightened our day with their absolute enthusiasm for racing. Also great to see Super Club Astley & Tyldesley's Mark Grantham turn out for another Veteran's meeting while mad keen Steve Copping clocked a few miles getting here from his home in Norwich as did Star's World Champion Paddy Wenn. Making an extremely welcome and popular comeback (or was it just a one-off? - we hope not!) was Edinburgh star Callum Slight after a gap of some three years and zero track time prior to the match. Trip-of-the-Day award goes to Exeter's brilliant British Champion Dave Murphy with Lions Team Manager and Euro-Vets co-administrator Geoff Gamage and Londoner Chris Ward not too far behind. Biggest surprise was probably the appearance of the One and Only John Murphy, making a bit of a return to racing this summer and really enjoying his laps.
2019's most serious competitors were all there as expected, a whole rash of Euro, British and World Champions, and their meetings made for some super-fast racing although the track tends to be a one-liner when speeds are high with passing at a premium.
Some dodo left his video camera at the track and it seems to have disappeared so without having the necessary reminder tool let me just say that the top lads were superb, Birmingham, Leicester and Northumbria riders dominating once again.
Leicester's Kev Burns has had a storming year after his bad back injury and again showed his domination of the Over 40 class this year, taking the Over 35 win too, while teammate Craig Marchant continued his march to full fitness. Reigning Champion, Birmingham Monarch Mark Winwood, was right up there until he and Craig clashed in heat 20 and his subsequent exclusion cost Mark dearly in the A Final line-up. Northumbria's Jason Keith kept up his momentum to join these three in both 35 and 40 A Finals with the outcome of both decided on the first lap of each.
The critical moment when Referee Niall Morton decided Mark was to blame for Craig's fall: (credit Nia Martin Photography)
It was Leicester's amazing Norman Venson's turn to head the Over 50s event with teammate Dave Frith and ever-pressing Paddy Wenn always a threat, all three finishing on equal points in the heats!
In the Ancient Ones category, after a defeat earleir by Hull's amazing returnee Frank Auffret, Dave Murphy made a blistering gate over Frank from grid two to continue his domination of the Over 60s this year with Wednesfield's ex-Champion Phil Hemming and Northumbria's Terry Kirkup unable to offer a real threat to these two.
Below: not often ex-Speedway riders turn to the Short Track, usually the other way around, but Frank Auffret is making a huge success of it!
IF YOU SPOT ANY ERRORS PLEASE LET ME KNOW - e-mail terry at eurovets.uk or on Euro-Vets Facebook page.
So sorry for the delay Gentlemen but I had a double date with CS this weekend, first in Wales, second in Scotland. Anyway for now here is the match programme from a dry and sunny Newport!
This format did finally prove somewhat controversial as it appeared to "punish" one of the oldest riders present who was most vociferous in his condemnation of it during and after the match, and potentially still as I write this! Unfortunately because of the poor turnout once again of Over 34/40 riders our hard working mentor Fred Rothwell was forced to come up with something to give a decent spread of rides to everyone. This left poor Frank Auffret, a definite Over 60 title contender, having to face more of the younger riders than his pensioner peers. Of course it could have been anyone with the luck or otherwise of the draw but it hasn't helped the title chase much, and there's a lot of sympathy for the speedy returning Yorkshireman.
Please point out any cockups if you find them :)
Just in case I lose my way again here are the important bits from Round Three at a sun-drenched Eaton Park.
***Unfortunately Over 35/40 title contender, current leader and wonderful Euro-Vets ambassador Craig Marchant suffered a nasty knee fracture at Poole before this meeting and so was unable to take part. We wish Craig the very best of luck in healing quickly so he can resume his rightful place amongst the top scorers, and of course perhaps get fit in time for the World Finals in Poland this summer.
Welcome to the fold newcomers Leigh Cossley and Richard Williamson (Norwich Stars) and returning Les Stevens (East London).
I'm a long way behind updates (already, after just two meetings!) so please bear with me. Currently there are a good few videos and photographs (thank you Charlie Chimp, Ian Johnson, Nicky Whitehead and others!) being published on Social media so the lack of actual reports on here should be less of an issue. I'm finding it so hard now to remember all the action so apologies for the lack of words. Some would say that's a good thing!
Quickies:
Craig Marchant once again proving unassailable in the Over 35s and Over 40s.
A second poor turnout, against expectations, especially in the lower age groups.
Well done to Luke Morton, Mark Grantham, Rich Pawson and Shane Gray for joining the fray.
Excellent raffle by the Hull club raising around 50 quid for Orchid. Superb.
68 year old CS returnee Frank Auffret, ex-motor speedway racer, joined the Hull club this year after a solid 50 years out of the Sport and under the guidance of teammate Andy Angell has made himself something of a force in the Over 60s and also in the North & Scotland League. A great pass in the "A" Final saw him take his first overall victory in front of adoring home fans. Well done indeed young man!
Meanwhile here are the charts from Round Two at a pristine, beautifully prepared Hull, and many thanks to Andy Schofield and his squad of assistants for hosting a match this season.