Three of us, Ashie, Mick and Terry made the trek down to Wednesfield on Saturday 13th August 2005 for the Veterans Championship, to be greeted by a downpour that lasted for both semi-finals and didn't stop until just before 4.00pm. That was the scheduled start time for the Final but it was put back to 4.30 to allow the track to be dried (ish). The over-50s were participating in this and the Grand Veterans final simultaneously.

We were all drawn in the first semi, Terry arriving just as the announcer was telling all riders to assemble in the pits. That was courtesy of Jim Graham's suggestion to use the M6 to get to Wednesfield - never again! The pits themselves were something special - specially provided in case of this kind of weather:

Terry was first out on grid 1 in heat 3, which he managed to win from the gate around a very wet but very racey and massive 86 metres.

Mick and Ashie were out together in heat 4 but found the going pretty tough, Ashie finishing a good second, Mick fourth. Here's Mick -

Terry out again in heat x copped a lucky second place when Andy Franks slipped off his pedals at the gate, giving him 7 from two rides and an uncomfortable feeling that he may actually qualify for the final with ridiculous luck like this. here's his advisor, Keith

and a few more pics...

I'll finish this later when I find my match programme - you'll just have to wait!

VETERANS RESULT:
1. Andy Franks (Stoke) 19, 2. Mike Baugh (Sandwell) 18, 3. Ian Woodhouse (Southampton) 18.
Paul Dyson (Bury) 16, Lee Lawrence (Long Stratton) 15, Dave Murphy (Southampton) 14, Colin Wheeler (Southampton) 13, Martin Gamble (Sheffield) 12, Alan Guest (Wednesfield) 12, Les Stevens (East London) 12, Dave Palfreyman (Somersham) 11, Mick Aris (Wednesfield) 10, Terry Kirkup (unattached) 9, Paul Timms (Birmingham) 8, John Murphy (Scotia) 7, Allan Busby (Southampton) 0 - injured
Grand Veterans - 1. Mike Baugh (Sandwell), 2. Colin Wheeler (Southampton), 3. Alan Guest (Wednesfield)
Referee: Pete Dalley (West Mildands)

Jimmy Graham did a great job with the titchy MidAirCrisisCam, covering the whole Final and I may just stick the relevant (ie containing a MAC rider) heats here for your criticism!

Ok, here they are - heat3    heat7    heat9    heat14    heat20    not great, but 5th or 6th Grand Veteran in the World has a ring to it! (eh?)

And thanks to Angie Hoult for sending me a couple of piccies -

This last picture made the day worthwhile for me - the great Derek Garnett presented the medals and trophies after the final and I managed to grab him for Angie to capture. Best Cycle Speedway rider EVER is Derek.