Historical Cycle Speedway Event in the USA

(2002 Web-site Archive)


History making International Race Weekend at Cycle Speedway

History was made at the Cape Colony bicycle racetrack on Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th as fifteen international bicycle racing ambassadors came to America’s only Cycle Speedway racetrack.  "It truly was an awesome weekend," stated Pete Barnes, tour director from Poole, England.  "Coming to the American Cycle Speedway racetrack in Edenton was a great experience.  Edenton is a great place to visit."  Two-time world champion cyclist, David Hemsley was also singing the praises of the trip.  "The excitement from the fans on both nights was overwhelming.  Cycle Speedway in Edenton and America is fitting for our sport."  Cycle Speedway racing is well known in Europe, and is in its infancy in America.  The racing format and styles are vastly different.  Adapting to the European style of racing for the American riders was of essence, as was the adaptation of the American style of racing for the European racers.  "The American style Cycle Speedway is a spin off from stock car racing, and the European Cycle Speedway is a spin off from motor bike racing in Europe," John Turner, Senior Vice-President of the Edenton Cycle Speedway stated

Making the trip to Edenton from Great Britain was Dave Hemsley, Pete Barnes, Adam Peck, Adam Legge, Jason Ashford, Aaron Lowey, Graham Sutton, Kevin Lowman, Fred Rothwell, Neil Howarth, and Colin Sutton.  Johan Koudijs, Dave Murphy, Pete Young, and Neil Toye represented their homeland countries of Holland, Poland, Scotland, and Australia respectively.

Friday night’s American Legion Families USA vs Great Britain match was an exciting event that Great Britain claimed victory to.  The event marked the first European style Cycle Speedway match in American history.  Chad White and Neil Toye (riding for America) claimed individual victories for the US team during the event.  Race fans were treated to an exciting, rare bread of bicycle racing in America.  The first US team from Edenton will compete to the standards and rules from this event at Poland next season. 
Saturday night’s Chowan-Edenton Optimist Club Speedway challenge was the American style brand of racing that two Great Britain racers claimed victory to.  Jason Ashford defeated defending International winner Dave Hemsley in the Leon Nixon Catering Senior Men division to claim his first American Cycle Speedway victory.  Ashford was excited about his first victory in America.  "That was a great race.  I had a lot of fun, 20 laps is tough though."  Great Britain’s Adam Peck also picked up his first American style Cycle Speedway victory in the Biggs Pontiac Pro Am Stock race, defeating Great Britain’s Aaron Lowey and Adam Legge at the checkers.  America’s Chad White finished the race in 4th after being involved in two incidents.

Other race winners in the White’s Country Store and Sign Shop events were Casey Forward in the Hampton Inn Ablazing I division, with Erica Canales in the Hampton Inn Ablazing II division. Kevin King picked up the victory in the Travel Host Inn Junior Stock division, with Linda Copley claiming the win in the Chowan Hospital Senior Women division.  Chad White, Linda Copley, Cody Rea, and two-time world champion, Dave Hemsley won the special team race.

Race fans can expect another possible tour from International Cycle Speedway racers next season, possibly as early as April.  Special thanks goes out to all the raceway staff and volunteers who made the exciting, history making weekend possible.  Racing resumes this Saturday night, October 19th at the action track, at 8pm.  Don’t miss seeing Cycle Speedway at this weekends, Sound Country Celebration at the Edenton waterfront.  For more information, please call the raceway office at 252-482-7989.

Thank You to all involved in International Cycle Speedway Race Weekend.

I Would like to thank everyone who was involved in the International Race Weekend. Thanks to the people of Chowan County for welcoming the International Racers with open arms. A special thanks goes to

Anne-marie Knighton, Councilman Jerald Perry, Wayne Goodwin, Robbie Laughton, Teresa Conrad with Edenton Motors, Mike Spear with Car r Us, Mac Privott with Carolina Classic and local merchants for there hospitality while the Racers were in Edenton. A big thanks goes to Peter Bogus at Trestle House Inn.

A special thanks goes to Pete Barnes for making this weekend happen with bring everyone over to the US. The weekend was a huge success. Everyone involved in the International Racers Banquet, thanks for the hard work and great work.

Thanks goes to Brian White, Casey Monds, Charlene Spruill, Ofelia Baxter, Johnnie Hughes, Emily Krider, Barbara Vaughan, Leon and Bev White, Anita  Bunch, Tim and Elaine Hughes and everyone else who helped out with the weekend. You all have helped in the biggest Weekend in History at Cycle Speedwayon October 4-5, 2002.

Sincerely,

John Turner

Senior Vice-President

  

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