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Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club hosted the 12th annual Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Festival at Gin Pit on Saturday. An exciting day's racing took place on a superbly prepared race strip, despite the hot, sunny conditions.

Although the Junior event was marred by a large number of late withdrawals from British Cycling's North West Talent Team, for the second year running, there were 13 competitors present who certainly provided an exciting event. Talent Team and Astley & Tyldesley rider James Griffin headed the qualifiers for the 'A' Final, having raced unbeaten in the qualifiers. He continued his domination to win a re-run 'A' Final, ahead of Astley & Tyldesley's Becky Heslop, Leeds BMX star Jeremy Hayes (in his first ever go at cycle speedway) and Talent Team rider Keir McKenna. 12 years old Becky once again impressed against older opposition, and knocked 1.5 seconds off her personal best time. Awards were presented to the top four riders in the 'A' Final.

Astley & Tyldesley Festival Junior Event:

Qualifying Scorers:

James Griffin (BCF Private Member / Astley & Tyldesley) 16; Jeremy Hayes (Leeds BMX) 15; Keir McKenna (Lakes RC) 14; Becky Heslop (Astley & Tyldesley) 13; Mikey Hewitson (Scotia) 13; Andy Nightingale (James Hay RT) 12; Matthew Winston (James Hay RT / Astley & Tyldesley) 12; Joe Granelli (Tameside) 12; Dan Fearnehough (Sport City Velo) 12; Lewis Riley (Tameside) 11; Alix Chester (Eastlands Velo) 9; Jason Kenny (Sport City Velo) 9; John Nuttall (Astley & Tyldesley) 7.

'D' Final: 1st - John Nuttall.

'C' Final: 1st - Jason Kenny; 2nd - Lewis Riley; 3rd - Alix Chester; 4th - Dan Fearnehough.

'B' Final: 1st - Andy Nightingale; 2nd - Mikey Hewitson; 3rd - Matthew Winston; 4th - Joe Granelli.

'A' Final: 1st - James Griffin; 2nd - Becky Heslop; 3rd - Jeremy Hayes; 4th - Keir McKenna.

Referee - Bill Phillips (Astley & Tyldesley).

There was a much better turnout for the Senior event, which featured the eagerly awaited return of Astley & Tyldesley's Polish star, Przemek Binkowski. Ever the showman, the Torun based Pole marked his return in sensational style by breaking the Gin Pit track record in his opening race, knocking over half a second off former World Champion Mark Newey's track record that had stood for over seven years. He went on to lead the qualifiers for the 'A' Final, along with Stoke's Terry Norman, after both had finished with 14 points. Two run-offs were needed to determine the other two qualifiers, after six riders had finished with 13 points. In the Final, Norman raced away to win the A & T. Festival main event for an incredible sixth time, ahead of Gary Brown of Somersham (Suffolk) and Bury's Fred Rothwell, with Binkowski a non-finisher after his rear cog broke on the start line. Awards were presented to the top four riders in the 'A' Final.

Astley & Tyldesley Festival Open Event:

Qualifying Scorers:

Przemek Binkowski (Torun / Astley & Tyldesley) 14; Terry Norman (Stoke / Tameside) 14; Gary Brown (Somersham) 13; Fred Rothwell (Bury) 13; Chris Eaton (Tameside) 13; Neil Howarth (Bury) 13; Mark Wylie (Tameside) 13; Danny White (Tameside) 13; Garry Pearce (Stoke / Astley & Tyldesley) 12; Simon Munden (Stoke) 10; Dave O'Callaghan (Bury) 10; Alan Smith (Scotia) 10; Mike Hack (Astley & Tyldesley) 9; Roy Heslop (Astley & Tyldesley) 8; Rob Machin (Stoke / Astley & Tyldesley) 7; Lee Harper (Astley & Tyldesley) 7.

'D' Final: 1st - Mike Hack; 2nd - Lee Harper; 3rd - Rob Machin; 4th - Roy Heslop.

'C' Final: 1st - Alan Smith; 2nd - Garry Pearce; 3rd - Dave O'Callaghan; 4th - Simon Munden.

'B' Final: 1st - Chris Eaton; 2nd - Neil Howarth; 3rd - Danny White; 4th - Mark Wylie.

'A' Final: 1st - Terry Norman; 2nd - Gary Brown; 3rd - Fred Rothwell; 4th - Przemek Binkowski.

Referee - Dave Blinston (Tameside).