Astley & Tyldesley hosted the 9th round of the 2011 Euro Vets Grand Prix series at Gin Pit on Saturday. 14 riders turned out on a damp and grippy track for the final round of the series.

Wednesfield's Mark Griffiths once again demonstrated his liking for the Gin Pit circuit by racing to a 20 points maximum score in the qualifying heats. Leicester's Norman Venson and East London's Dennis Hubble both scored 18 points apiece and were joined in the over 40s 'A' Final by Wednesfield's Steve Mullinder, who recovered from a last place first time out to score 16.

In the age group finals, Southampton's Colin Wheeler won the over 60s Final, finishing ahead of Pedalsport's Fred Rothwell and Edinburgh pair Dave Baxter and Chic Mackie. East London's Kevin Smith went round Rothwell on the last lap to win the over 50s 'B' Final. Dennis Hubble won the over 50s 'A' Final, with Wheeler passing Sandwell's Phil Hemming to take 2nd place. There was a good race in the over 40s 'B' Final, as Wheeler again passed Hemming to win, whilst Coventry's Joe McLaughlin passed Southampton's Pete Chant to take 3rd place. In the over 40s 'A' Final, Mark Griffiths was fast away from grid 1 to take the win in the fastest time of the day, 43.60 seconds. Hubble pulled off a smart gate from grid 3 to gate across Norman Venson and finish 2nd, with Steve Mullinder unable to make an impression from grid 4.

There was a lengthy presentation of awards, as first riders received their trophies for an earlier round held at Coventry, then received the awards for the day's racing at Astley, concluding with the presentation of the overall series awards. Colin Wheeler won the over 60s series, ahead of Fred Rothwell and Chic Mackie. Dennis Hubble won the over 50s series, ahead of Colin Wheeler and Fred Rothwell. There was a new award, the Brian Moston Memorial Cup for the overall series winner, donated by Derek Hertzog and presented by Tony Mann. Derek, Tony and Brian were all members of the CarrsWood team which won the 1957 British Team Championship Final and Brian later went on to be the 1959 British Individual Champion and Cycle Speedway Council Chairman. Mark Griffiths received the cup for winning the over 40s series, ahead of Dennis Hubble and Colin Wheeler.

It was a fine day's racing, competitive but ridden in a great spirit. Riders, officials and spectators enjoyed a post match buffet in the Chequered Flag catering cabin, as the Euro Vets series concluded another successful season of racing.

Euro Vets Grand Prix Round 9 results

Qualifying Scores: Mark Griffiths (Wednesfield) 20, Norman Venson (Leicester) 18, Dennis Hubble (East London) 18, Steve Mullinder (Wednesfield) 16, Phil Hemming (Sandwell) 15, Pete Chant (Southampton) 15, Colin Wheeler (Southampton) 14, Joe McLaughlin (Coventry) 14, Fred Rothwell (Pedalsport) 13, Dave Meanley (East Park) 12, Kevin Smith (East London) 10, Dave Baxter (Edinburgh) 9, Steve Mann (Bury) 8, Chic Mackie (Edinburgh) 7.

O-60s Final: Wheeler, Rothwell, Baxter, Mackie.

O-50s 'B' Final: Smith, Rothwell, Mann, Baxter.

O-50s 'A' Final: Hubble, Wheeler, Hemming, McLaughlin ns.

O-40s 'B' Final: Wheeler, Hemming, McLaughlin, Chant.

O-40s 'A' Final: Griffiths, Hubble, Venson, Mullinder.

Referee - Bill Phillips (Astley & Tyldesley).

Euro Vets Grand Prix series - overall standings

O-60s: Colin Wheeler 193, Fred Rothwell 189, Chic Mackie 163.

O-50s: Dennis Hubble 196, Colin Wheeler 175, Fred Rothwell 161.