British Under 19 Championship Final 2000

Staged and sponsored by the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, on Saturday 29th July.

Final scorers:
1st - Shaun Woodhouse (Southampton) 19
2nd - Richard Williamson (Somersham) 17
3rd - Mike Morgans (Wednesfield) 15
Steven Beesley (Horspath) 15, Darren Slater (Eaton) 14, Ian Grange (Norwich) 13, Robert Pearce (Bury) 11, Nick Bedson (Hethersett) 11, Adam Peck (Gt. Blakenham) 11, Wayne Hutt (Horspath) 11, Chris Jewkes (Wednesfield) 11, Carl Bloomfield (Horpath) 9, Craig Newsome (Scotia) 9, Damien Hack (Astley & Tyldesley) 9, Keith Maben (Scotia) 7, Marc Boaler (Horspath) 7.
Reserves (did not race) - Leigh Cossey (Hethersett) and Damon Hurst (Southampton).
Non Qualifiers: Daniel Sharp (Heckmondwike), Ashley Eke (Eaton), James Harrison (Leicester).
Non Starters: Russell Holland (Astley & Tyldesley), Rick Gregory (Horspath), Kevin Marshallsay (Poole), Richard Chappell (Poole).

Report by Mike Hack

The Gin Pit circuit, the North's Regional Cycle Speedway Centre, was in immaculate condition, and an exciting afternoon's racing ensued. 18 qualifying races were held, to whittle the field down to the 16 finalists, with the Astley & Tyldesley captain, Damien Hack, qualifying at the first attempt. In the final, he won his first race, but two falls later on in the match ended his chances, and he finished 12th after scoring 9 points.
It quickly became apparent that the title was between Southampton's Shaun Woodhouse and Richard Williamson, of Somersham, Suffolk. Both twice previous age category British Champions, they set the pace, with three wins each, before meeting in heat 13. Woodhouse made a terrific start from the less favourable outside position, to lead all the way and score a vital win. Williamson dropped further points in his last race to finish with 17 points. This left Woodhouse needing just a third place from his final ride to be champion. He rode his luck to escape an exclusion when an opponent appeared to be unfairly brought down, before settling for second place and a final tally of 19 points. In a run-off for third place, Wednesfield (Wolverhampton) rider Mike Morgans beat Steven Beesley of Horspath (Oxford), after both had finished on 15 points.