East Anglian Individual Championships 2001

At Somersham 05/8/01

The individual East Anglian Cycle Speedway Championships took place at Somersham and a smartly prepared circuit and fine weather combined to form the perfect stage.
Proceedings began with the under 19 event and the early leaders were Eaton's Darren Slater, Lewis Osborne of Kesgrave and Gt. Blakenham's Adam Peck. The former two won their third rides but Peck lost out to home rider Richard Williamson in a controversial heat 11. Three riders all headed for the same bit of shale and Dave Alexander, who had only dropped one point, hit the deck. There were no surprises in the fourth set of heats, and with Slater and Osborne winning again, it set up a climax as they both met in their final rides. In the event, Slater made it look easy with a tapes to flag victory, winning the championship for the second year running. But with Peck beating Osborne it set up a three man run-off for second overall. Williamson got a flyer to win although Peck was unlucky after losing grip and falling.
D Slater 20, R Williamson 18, L Osborne 18, A Peck 18, E Ross, 16, W Page 15, D Alexander 14, L Cossey 13, B Copping 12, A Eke 11, S Turnbull 10, A Mittell 9, C Osborne 8, R Stevenson 7.

After a series of qualifying heats, due to the high number of entries, the senior event began with an exciting heat one. The first attempt was restarted after a pile-up, and in the re-run newcomer Elliott Ross made a superb gate, only to slide off on the third bend. The chasing pack had to take evasive action, but Somersham's Gary Brown emerged to take an early win.
After two rides each, former winner Jason Ashford was the only unbeaten rider, but their was an upset to his plans in a thrilling heat 12 when he dropped a point to Pete Ingram of Kesgrave. The Gt Blakenham man was all over him but could find no way past. Hopes of a home winner vanished at this point when silly falls for Brown and Williamson wrecked their chances, while Paul Brinkhoff kept in contention with a second win despite loose handlebars. Under 19 winner Slater showed he was looking for another trophy when he then beat Ingram off the favourable inside start position, and this put Ashford back in the driving seat as he had a relatively easy last ride. And this he duly won to take the title for the sixth time.
J Ashford 19, P Ingram 18, D Slater 17, P Brinkhoff 16, R Hunt 15, G Brown 15, A Peck 14, R Williamson 13, L Osborne 12, P Starling 10, P Kettle 10, D Alexander 9, G Wildon 9, M Osborne 7, T Ashford 7, E Ross 5.

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