"AWESOME" was the substantially overused cry of the American commentator, as well as the reaction of the two Bury Cycle Speedway riders, on their inclusion in the first ever Great Britain side to tour the USA.

Fred Rothwell and club captain Neil Howarth, travelled to Edenton, North Carolina, as part of the ten man riding squad led by double world champion, Dave Hemsley. The welcome was warm, so was the weather. In a searing 90 degrees fahrenheit, the squad were glad of the air-conditioned welcome party, including a rose bowl, videos and other mementoes from the Bury club. Bryan White, the young president of Edenton Cycle Speedway, was delighted with the evening. The feeling was entirely mutual, on this first ever tour, everyone knew that this could be the start of something big.

Two nights of racing were to be held during the tour. The first would showcase the European version of the sport, highly developed in its 50 years, but originally based upon motorcycle speedway. On race night, number two at "the action track -- cycle speedway", it was the all-American article, based loosely on American NASCAR racing. There were two tracks too. The Euro-style short track (around 80 metres and a traditional oval shape), and the 160-metre American long oval that was more like a large rectangle, with four straights and four turns.

In the build up to the first night's racing, team Great Britain were involved in promotional photo calls with the corporate sponsors, signing copious amount of autographs for the expectant fans, and even an appearance on the local TV station's regional magazine programme. The Edenton administrators certainly knew how to attract sponsors, with Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola among their most well-known. It was race night, "shot time at the action track -- cycle speedway..."

Veteran Cycle Speedway star and club coach at Bury, Fred Rothwell, was chosen as the captain for the GB side, as the European riders showed the way around the short track in the USA v Great Britain test match. The American racing is very much focused on the youth, with US number one being the young Chad White, brother of the race organiser, Bryan. The match was somewhat one sided, as the vastly experienced GB team took control in race after race. The final score was 105-72, and while the US team knew how much work would be needed to compete in the world of international cycle speedway, there were enough positive signs for the future development of the sport stateside. Chad White, who resembled a very youthful Kurt Cobain, won a race late on in the match. The crowd went wild -- it was "awesome".

Questions surrounded European prospects on the second night of racing. Should the riders "gear up" for the bigger track? Could the traditionally skilful, yet relatively aerobically unfit Cycle Speedway rider cope with 20 times round 160 metres, rather than the more conventional 4x80 metres? For the sake of you technical buffs: Fred Rothwell changed the rear sprocket from 18 to 17, sticking with the 34 teeth on the chainring (a combined tooth-total equal to his age -- just for you real stats fans). Neil Howarth decided to stick with the tried and tested 33-18, relying on younger legs to pedal the low gear for 20 big laps.

One flying lap against the clock set the grid positions for the various categories of racing, with most of the GB side racing in the Leon Nixon Senior Men Division. In the Biggs Pontiac Pro Am Stock (13-17-year-olds), Adam Peck of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, broke the track record with an impressive time of 11.51 seconds. Bury's Neil Howarth then set a new mark with a slick 11.34. The record was no sooner set than it was broken by Great Blakenham's top rider, Jason Ashford, lowering the mark to 11.09. "Awesome".

A note here about the unfortunate Fred Rothwell. A problem with the timer on his flying lap meant that the oldest man in the field had to go again. Nevertheless, a fourth place on the grid was secured with an 11.84.

In the rolling start of the race, Jason Ashford sprinted into the lead from the pole position. Neil Howarth, starting off outside pole, was unable to hold off the third starter, world champion Dave Hemsley, as he moved into second place. Ten laps seemed to pass quickly, with the top six at half way being Hemsley (Poole, Dorset), Ashford, Howarth, Neil Toye (Australia), Dave Olds (USA), and Rothwell. It was now time for the "mandatory caution", all riders returned to the pits for a five-minute break. This went quicker than the ten laps!

Another rolling lap on the re-start. At the drop of the green flag, Hemsley was away with Ashford in pursuit. Behind, Howarth pushed the advancing Toye wide and then sprinted after the lead pair. With around four to go, Jason Ashford took the lead from Dave Hemsley, not only the track record, but the win as well. Hemsley was almost caught by Howarth on the line, but the Bury man had to settle for third. Fred Rothwell, still on the lead lap, came home sixth. The crowd enjoyed it, the riders enjoyed it. There was already talk of a return visit.

As the first touring party to go to the USA reflected on the visit, a number of thoughts came to mind. They had showcased the European's professional approach to racing, brought back ideas for a new brand of cycle speedway, experienced the sponsorship crazy world of corporate America but most of all, they had made a new set of oval racing friends.

In 2003, members of Edenton Cycle Speedway will join teams from Poland, Australia and Holland, as well as the home nations in the World Championships here in Bury, and at Astley and Tyldesley. Make a date in your diary -- August 2 and 3, 2003. Further updates appearing soon at www.burycsc.co.uk.

Finally, don't miss the action this weekend at Goshen Sports Centre. On Saturday it is the annual intermediate standard Chairman's Cup, sponsored by the Duke William pub in Ainsworth, start time 3pm. On Sunday, it is the final league match of the season, with all to play for in the Combination competition. Leicester are the visits, 2pm start.