The Veterans of Cycle Speedway dished up some fantastic racing at the Southampton circuit. Current Champion Gavin Wheeler (Southampton) on his home track was the firm favourite with former champions Mark Winwood (Birmingham), Mark Whitehead (Leicester) and Jason Ashford (Great Blakenham) out to topple the twice British Champion. Lee Aris (Wednesfield) and Adam Peck (Great Blakenham) were hotly tipped to reach the podium with no one betting against that outcome. Craig Marchant (Great Blakenham) would certainly have a say in where the title would go due to his experience at this level as would Craig Norton (Birmingham). Wil Banyard (Sheffield) makes his 2nd appearance in the final and Chris Jewkes (Wednesfield) makes his debut. Certainly not making up the numbers were Steve Beesley (East Newport), Andy Yard (Newport), Alan Nation (Poole), Toby Millen Great Blakenham) and Richard Williamson (Great Blakenham). Quick mention to multi finalist Paddy Wenn (Norwich) who stepped into the shoes of Mark Boaler (Horspath) who had to withdraw from this year final after succumbing to injury sustained the day before racing in Exeter. May the best Vet win!!
Heat. [Music] Heat. coming. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] [Music] Your respect is much appreciated. Before we introduce the riders individually to you, the sport suffered a sad loss recently and the administrator Glenn Norton from the Norfolk area who gave so much to Cycle Speedway over a long period of time sadly passed away. In respect, would you please put your hands together for a few moments of applause for Glenn Norton, but drawn today to ride at number one is Chris Jukes from Wville, Wolverampton, a great team man and on championship debut today. Come on folks, put your hands together for all these riders. Riding at number two this afternoon, Craig Marchant from Great Blake in Suffuk won the over 50s title on Saturday, looking to improve on last year’s third place. Right at number three, Steve Beasley from East Newport. The Welsh club’s big winter signing were paying their faith in his ability and experience. At number four position today is man who needs no introduction here at Winchester Road, Gavin Wheeler, defending champion and looking to make it three in a row today. On to number five. This is the change. Unfortunately, Mark Bowler injured at Exat yesterday. His place is taken at very short notice and we thank him sincerely. It’s Patty Wen. Racing from draw position number six is Andy Yard of Newport. A fifth consecutive final for Andy who’s a great supporter of racing at this level. Onto the favored number seven draw and that goes to Will Baniard from Sheffield. Final number three for Will. No doubt still celebrating his son Oliver’s national title won at Pool yesterday. At number eight today, Allan Nation from Paul. Allan’s an invaluable club man. And all outfits need a rider of that ability. Third successive final today. Dawn to ride at number nine, Mark Whitehead from Leicester. This is Mark’s 10th consecutive final. A fantastic achievement and a podium finisher in 2016 and 2017. Riding at number 10 this afternoon, Jason Ashford from Great Blingham, the highly respected GB International, and he leads five riders into today’s final. Now on to number 11, Toby Milan, also great Blakeham. A long awaited return to Winchester Road. Toby had a spell as a saint earlier in his career and into his second final today. At position 12 today, Lee Aris from Wfield, a legend at all levels. Runner up last year and could easily step up one place today. On to draw number 13 and that’s Mark Wigwood from Birmingham. Welsh International on nine consecutive finals that included one win in 2021. Racing from draw position 14 is Adam Peek from Great Bingham debuting in the event today. An out-out racer who should find this track very much to his liking. The favorite number 15 draw goes to Craig Norton from Birmingham. And a special day for Craig here at Southampton. came into this event last year, clocked up 16 points for fourth place and he has the pedigree to go very well today. And your last competitor at 16 today, Richard Williamson from Great Plain, another Debington looking to spring a surprise on those more fancy contenders above. Out on the center green, two officials to introduce to you. Referee Colin Simmons from Wales is in charge and looking after the fits area today, Fz Langu from Paul. Thank you, gentlemen. Off you go on your way. [Music] All riders ready. The starters orders. [Applause] Way [Applause] CJ. Hey [Applause] there. Maybe not the start we were looking for there in heat number one. And riders down on the fourth corner. We’ll just uh wait to see that everything’s aok. Okay. [Applause] Pull out. [Applause] [Applause] Come on guys. Poor [Applause] Gab. [Applause] [Music] Yeah. A bit of pause for everybody in heat number one. the cut thrust racing and it’s going to be that way. Ready or [Applause] patty? [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] Come on. Come on. Heat number two there in great racing. We’ve had two crackers to start the meeting off and uh ready [Applause] orders. One more. [Applause] [Applause] Thank you. Come on. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] All right. Ready. Starters. That was great. [Applause] Ready? Starters ordered. Oh, nice. [Music] behind [Music] [Music] the water. [Applause] All right, guys. The starters Sorry. [Music] Get down. Then I’ll Start [Applause] goat. [Music] on [Music] ready orders. away. Awesome. [Music] [Applause] six. The battle of the Blenham contingent goes to This time home riders ready. You’re on the starter orders. [Applause] T now mate. [Music] [Music] Yeah. [Music] All riders ready to start orders. [Applause] Finley [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] go up. Great. [Applause] Go CJ. [Applause] Johnny. [Applause] Wow, CJ. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] line is ready. Another way. [Music] By the way, [Applause] Come on. Come right. [Applause] [Music] Ready [Applause] on us. God [Music] pick Let’s go. [Applause] [Applause] Okay, is ready. starters or [Applause] [Music] easy. Have another [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] So, a little bit of a coming together or [Applause] [Music] All right. Is ready. [Music] Let’s [Music] go. Come [Applause] on. [Applause] Come on. Come on. Thank you. Another line. Come on. [Music] Allers ready. The start is ordered. [Applause] [Music] Good morning. [Music] [Applause] is ready. Okay. [Music] [Music] What can you say? [Applause] CJ [Applause] [Applause] up. [Applause] Come on. Come on. [Applause] Hello. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Come on. is ready [Applause] on him. I’ll do you pick up Get down, Adam. Get down. [Applause] Ladies and gentlemen, please show your hands together for the 2025 British Bland Individual Champion from the Great Placenham Club with 19 points today is Adam Peg. Congratulations to Adam and up he goes. Well done. The official race result in number 20 was a win for Captain Wheeler for the Saints and that secures a podium spot position for this afternoon. Oh yeah. Cheers, mate. Now we move to our one, two, three, or if it’s going to be 3 2 1. First of all, the defending champion who couldn’t quite hold on to his crown, but a podium face all the same. Third position for Gavin Winger from the States [Music] onto the runner up position to silver medal goes to a man who didn’t medal last year. He’s stayed in the same place this time around. It’s Lee Aris. And then last but by no means least on Holler and clap your hands. What you have about [Music] [Music] [Music] And that special moment. Congratulations to our winner, Alan K, everybody. Now, come and take your snaps. Come and take your pictures. We’ll have our photo board up there. And then also other guys in a few months time. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat.