Drizzle KO's PL Pairs
Posted 18/06/06

Fate dealt Glasgow a cruel blow this afternoon when right on 3pm, the start time for the pairs, the drizzle started. Three heats of the meeting were run before the referee called a halt to proceedings due to poor visibility.

The two minute klaxon went on straight away after the parade and the Edinburgh pairing of Pijper and Harrison made their way quickly to the tapes with light rain starting to fall. However, Ashworth and Compton were still standing in the pits nowhere near their bikes and without helmets on which made it quite clear that all was not well.

The two minutes were cancelled, the Edinburgh lads returned to the pits and the referee made the first of what was to be many visits to the pits. After consultation, the meeting was held up for a few minutes to allow the rain to pass and the first race came under starters orders.

Ashworth and Compton made the gate ahead of Pijper and Harrison, Harrison getting filled in coming into the second bend and having to slow up to clear his visor before continuing. It was, however, processional with Sheffield taking full advantage from the gate.

Next up were the home pairing of Parker and Bird taking on Garry Stead and James Wright of Workington. Danny gated, followed by Wright then Parker. With conditions and visibility poor this was the way it was to stay until the riders crossed the finishing line with the riders keeping distance between themselves and the rider in front.

The rain, which had slacked previously, was falling again and visibility was clearly a problem. Referee Clarke made the long walk to the pits again accompanied by Jim McGregor for further discussions with the riders and an examination of the track. Danny King and Edward Kennett were the ones who were keenest to put their point over at this stage although Mark Lemon had previously been acting as spokesman for all the riders.

Most people in the crowd felt now that there was virtually no chance of the meeting running its course but all credit to the riders who agreed, by majority, to give it another go.

Heat three got underway with Chris Neath making the gate and looking quite fast out front. Stancl had challenged early on but Neath was soon well clear although his partner Kennett was well off the pace at the back. On the final bend of the race, Neath slid off harmlessly on his own and was overtaken by the Newcastle pairing and by his partner Kennett who had only been on the second bend when Neath came to grief.

The decision to postpone was now inevitable but the referee still took the time to come down to the pits and discuss matters with the riders before finally calling a halt to proceedings.

One of the ironies of the afternoon was that every time the referee was called to the pits it stopped raining. Another was that as soon as the meeting was called off it dried up. In reality though, it was clear from early on the meeting would not run its course.

The Glasgow promotion looked gutted but even they can't control the weather and despite every attempt being made and the track looking good, the decision was the correct one.

No restaging date is known at present.

The scorecard for the three heats run can be found here and some photos will be posted shortly and can be accessed via the photos link in the menu.

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