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Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct Cycle Speedway Club
hosted the 6th annual North West Grand Prix meeting under the Gin Pit
floodlights on Saturday evening. As ever, racing was keenly contested, with
riders competing in 12 qualifying heats, before progressing to the three Finals.
Previous winner Terry Norman suffered a first race defeat by Darren Kent, but
bounced back to top the qualifying scorers, winning his remaining three races.
Kent was also a comfortable qualifier for the 'A' Final. These two were joined
by a trio of riders who finished on 12 points - Garry Pearce, James Carter,
Craig Newsome - with Newsome being the unlucky one not to make the 'A' Final.
The all important draw for the 'A' Final saw Kent line-up from grid 1, Carter
on grid 2, Pearce on grid 3 and Norman on grid 4. Kent made a good start from
the inside grid to lead from Carter, and he held onto this advantage throughout
the race to take the win in the fastest time of the night, 43.68 seconds, with
Carter securing 2nd place. Norman went past Pearce on the second lap to move
into third place, but was unable to improve on this position.
As always, the match was sponsored by Motor Body Services (Salford) Ltd, who
provided awards for all four finalists, with winner Darren Kent also receiving a
CD/Stereo/Radio and the magnificent Kevin Greenhalgh shield to hold for 12
months.
North West Grand Prix results
Qualifying scores:
Terry Norman (Stoke) 15; Darren Kent (Heckmondwike) 14; James Carter (Heckmondwike)
12; Garry Pearce (Stoke) 12; Craig Newsome (Scotia) 12; Damien Hack (Astley
& Tyldesley) 10; Danny White (Tameside) 9; Robert Pearce (Bury) 9; Ben
Scranage (Bury) 8; Mark Wylie (Tameside) 5; Frank Finnigan (Stoke) 5; Paul Dyson
(Bury) Non-Starter.
'C' Final result:
1st - Scranage; 2nd - Wylie.
'B' Final result:
1st - White; 2nd - Hack; 3rd - Newsome; 4th - R.Pearce.
'A' Final result:
1st - Kent; 2nd - Carter; 3rd - Norman; 4th - G.Pearce.
Referee - John Whiting (Preston).
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