CLUB NEWS: Birmingham riders take success in Indoor championships

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club had a strong presence in the British Cycling Indoor Cycle Speedway Championships last weekend. Paul Timms took Victory in the Veterans Final whilst Birmingham took silver in the team Final. Likewise Chris Timms took silver in the senior final on Sunday.

The evergreen Paul Timms was a popular winner in the over 60’s category as he raced hard to 12 points including a great win over the 50’s winner Steve Harris from Astley and Tyldesley who himself raced to 17 points. The over 40’s winner Craig Marchant raced to a full 20 point maximum, despite some no nonsense action from his Leicester team mate Mark Whitehead with their race being run several times.

Paul Timms racing to victory. Photo by Paul Devine

Other action included a double victory for Ipswich youngster Lewis Brinkhoff who won the under 16’s title as well as the Junior title. Likewise Exeter youngster Rosie Tidball who won the U14’s and women’s title to make it a successful weekend for the youth duo.

In the team competition Birmingham won their Semi final 1 on Saturday to progress to the Final. The Monarchs scoring 45 points to defeat Great Blakenham, Wednesfield and Edinburgh.Chris Timms top scored unbeaten on 16, Ricki Johnson 14, Ewan Hancox 8, Nathan Groves 5 and Paul Heard 2. 3 other teams joined Birmingham in the final on Saturday evening with Leicester, Exeter and Ipswich qualifying.

The final however was dominated by a solid Ipswich outfit whilst Birmingham looked the only team too be able to push them early on the Suffolk side started to pull clear in the 2nd half of the meeting with Birmingham having to settle for runners up. Ipswich 52, Birmingham 42, Exeter 36, Leicester 24. Birmingham scorers – Timms 14, Johnson 9, Heard 8, Hancox 7, Groves 4.

In the Individual final on Sunday victory went to Adam Peck of Great Blakenham with a cool and calm evening of racing. Timms battled into runners up spot on 17. Luck ran out for our own Johnson who was joint leader before his final race, knowing a victory or 2nd place would keep him in line for the title. However after an all action race resulted in 3 riders falling including a painful one for Johnson the re run saw him excluded for a start infringement. He finished 7th on 14 points. Hancox also qualified for the final but had a hard day of racing saw him finish on 6 points.

Chris Timms protecting his lead. Photo by Paul Devine

Both Heard and Paul Timms qualified for the semi finals whilst Groves just missed out in the qualifiers. Bekah Humphries also rode in the women’s final and finished in 10th place.

The club continue to run Sunday taster sessions for any youngsters who want to come and try the sport or anyone that wants to come and practise. These will be every Sunday from 1.15pm weather permitting. Feel free to pop along and have a go, for ANY age!

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