2011 BRITISH OVER-40 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP

JUBILANT JASON CELEBRATES NATIONAL TITLE - AT LAST! - posted 19 May 2011

Jason Ashford's stunning victory in last weekend's British Veterans individual championship was a dream come true.  Winning a national title is something Jason has dreamed about ever since taking up the sport.  Now a quarter of a century on, he's finally achieved his aim! 

So how does it feel to be national champion and  what further goals has Jason set himself?  Spokesman went in search of some answers.  Here's what Jason had to say.












 



After winning my first British cycle speedway individual final on Saturday, it initially sunk in Monday night when I sat there reading the names on the trophy, Garnett, Ellis, Patman, Watchman, Varnish and Hubble.  After riding for 25 years my dream had finally come true - wearing the British jersey!  Shame it had to wait until I was 40!!

Last year was my build up for Saturday 14th May 2011, with the Blakenham lads pulling me back into the sport after having a brief spell out to start a family.  It all became possible to finally win a British final that has eluded me for so many years.

Wil Burns from Leicester gave me a big opportunity to race Premier League again last year at Glover Park, going on to win the British team cup with one of the best set ups and lads in the game, always making me feel at home.

With the birth of my son in February, it has been hard to find time to train to get to a good enough standard to take part at this level.  I owe so much to my wife and two girls for making it possible and I dedicate this win to them!

I know that Steve Harris won this trophy three years in a row, and from reading Spokesman-Online, that he had won the World Championships in America.  I knew that it was not going to be easy.  With Roger and the Wednesfield team putting on such a good show, and perfect track conditions, the stage was set.

I managed to put five good rides together against a number of big names and former British champs, who could have come out on top - Terry Norman, Gary Colby, Mark Griffiths, Dennis Hubble, Mick
Skinner, Gary Brown and of course Steve Harris himself.  But finally lady luck was on my side and I went on to win the biggest prize of all.  

It feels great!

JASON ASHFORD WINS VETS TITLE - posted 15 May 2011

















Leicester's Jason Ashford delivered a faultless performance to become the new national veterans over-40s champion.  The Suffolk-based rider built on a solid foundation, beating defending champion and current World number one Steve Harris in his opening race (see above) and consolidating with important wins over Dennis Hubble, Chris Turner and Mark Griffiths, all from the inside gates.
















Under pressure - Jason Ashford sees off a strong challenge from Mark Griffiths

But the 40-year-old contracts manager, the youngest rider in the field, didn't have things all his own way. He came under enormous pressure from fast-gating Mark Griffiths in the opening stages of race five and then had to use all his experience to pressurise Gary Colby into a forced error in the twelfth.
















Under pressure again! - Ashford lines up Gary Colby in heat 12

With Steve Harris adding four wins from his remaining outingings, Ashford faced a difficult last race.  Drawn outside medal-chasing Terry Norman in a heat 19 showdown, Ashford produced a remarkable gate and consumate first bend, to race away to his first national title, leaving Norman trailling in his wake.

Fresh from his victory in the United States, Harris looked sharp, hardly putting a wheel wrong.  A relatively untroubled 19 points saw him take the silver medal, an outstanding achievement for lesser mortal, a disappointment for Steve Harris, who will consider himself unlucky to be drawn outside Ashford in his opening race.

Meanwhile Terry Norman, making his veterans debut, carefully pieced together 17 points to deservedly take the bronze medal.  The popular Stockport rider featured in one of the best races of the day when he swept inside Gary Brown on the third lap to claim three important points in race six.

Enjoying probably his best match of the season, Gary Colby, took a win and four seconds to finish just short of the frame, finishing on 16 points, the same tally as home-based Wednesfield rider Mark Griffiths.  Sheffield's ChrisTurner seemed to improve as the meeting went on returning 15 hard-earned points.  Multiple vets champion Dennis Hubble had a mixed day, sprinkling two good wins with three thirds and an uncharacteristic fall when trying to pass Dave Meaney in heat nine. 

Biggest disappointment of the day was the turn-out.  Only 13 riders contested the event, the lowest number since the championship was first staged in 1987.

British Over-40 Individual Final at Wednesfield
Jason Ashford 20, Steve Harris 19, Terry Norman 17, Gary Colby 16, Mark Griffiths 16, Chris Turner 15, Dennis Hubble 14, Mick Skinner 13, Gary Brown 12, Paul Timms 11, Dave Meaney 10, Rob Absalom 10, Peter Chant 9
Non-Starters
Simon Plows, Les Stevens, Steve Mullinder, Bob Prince
Referee: Albert Bentley (West Midlands)
 
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