THERE were thrills and spills galore as pedal power pushed Bury into the national sporting spotlight on Bank Holiday Monday.

A capacity crowd turned out to witness the British Individual Championships, organised by the Bury Cycle Speedway Club.

The event, sponsored by the Bury Times, was staged at the Goshen track and provided action-packed and fiercely competitive heats.

Mr Anthony Mann, secretary of the Bury Cycle Speedway Club, declared enthusiastically: "Throughout, the pace was fast and furious with many spectacular crashes and some tremendous action.

"Even the under-16s put in some very fast times and the old track record was beaten no fewer than ten times during the 21 heats."

The new record was shared when Southampton's Shaun Woodhouse and Leicester's Dave Hemsley clocked 39.40 seconds in successive heats. The under-16s final was won by Wednesfield's Mike Morgans. Sadly, Bury's Robert Pearce had been ruled out of a deciding run-off after being blamed as the cause of a crash. Bury's other finalist, Ben Scranage, had started badly with two last places after crashing, but added a consolation heat win and second place to total ten points.

In fact, both had crashed on the drying, slippery track in the early morning eliminating heats.

Ben qualified at the second attempt, but Robert caused Bury hearts to skip a few beats as he struggled early on and only squeezed into the final as one of the last qualifiers.

The other Bury hopeful, Scott Jarman, reserve last year, was disappointed to go out of the competition.

Bury riders were out of luck in the senior semi-finals held elsewhere on the previous Saturday and Sunday.

Main hopes Neil Howarth and Paul Dyson fell short of the cut-off point.

Martin Zuk, who flew home from America to compete, performed with great credit.

The top 16 riders in the country put on a fantastic display of spectacular racing on the impeccably-prepared Goshen circuit.

Dave Hemsley, who returned to his home town of Leicester from his new home in Australia especially to take part, made history when he secured his fifth British title with 18 points. Runner-up spot went to Southampton's Peter Young.

Guests at this, the 50th such championships, included Bury's deputy mayor and mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Bill Johnson, and the first national cycle speedway champion, Lew Grepp, who was presented with a commemorative tankard.

Other sponsors included: Formulated Polymer Products of Ramsbottom, Newhey Carpets of Rochdale, Curtain Contracts Ltd of Derby and Border Flooring of Clayton-le-Mooors.

Mr Mann added: "I would like to thank the tireless and large band of club members and helpers, without whom the event could not have been the tremendous success that it was."