The OZCHEM Classic - Sheffield 'Legends' v World Stars - Sunday 15th March 2009
Rider01020304050607080910111213Tot+Bp
1. Steve Johnston © ef 2 2 1 5
2. Ricky Ashworth tps 1' 1' 1' 3+3
3. Carl Stonehewer 1 1' 0 1 3+1
4. André Compton 0 0 0 - 0
5. Rory Schlein 2 2 3 3 10
6. Tai Woffinden 2 3 3 2 0 10
7. Josh Auty 1 2 1 4
Reg Wilson 2 4 2 4 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 4
Sheffield 'Legends' 2 6 8 12 14 17 20 23 26 29 30 31 35
World Stars 4 6 10 12 16 19 22 25 28 31 36 41 43
Eric Boocock 4 2 4 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 2
1. Greg Hancock © 3 3 3 2 11
2. Travis McGowan 1 1 3 2' 7+1
3. Sebastian Ulamek 2 3 1' 2' 10
4. Karol Zabik 1 0 ef 0 1
5. Jason Crump 3 3 3 3 12
6. William Lawson 2 0 2 4
7. Ricky Wells 0 0 0 0
Track record = 59.3
C. Holder, 6 Sept. 2007
01020304050607080910111213
62.061.162.262.462.4 62.962.063.563.263.2 64.163.563.1

A splendid crowd gathered to celebrate 80 years since the first race at Owlerton and to raise money for 13 year-old Jack Boocock who lost both of his parents in a tragic road accident last year. All the riders rode for nothing and special thanks go to the meetings sponsors Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Simple Technology, OzChem, A&S Leisure, Joe Hughes International, Steel City Bearings, Bradfield Brewery, Sheffield Window Centre, The Star and BBC Radio Sheffield.

Ricky Ashworth was a bit too eager following his long lay-off with a broken wrist and he was excluded for a tape offence. Reserve Tai Woffinden took his place in the restart and gave Greg Hancock a good run for first place. Steve Johnston looked to have the measure of Travis McGowan for third place until his engine cut out on the very last corner. Tai was back out for heat 2 which he won convincingly with Josh Auty pushing William Lawson for second place all the way to the finish line. Workington's André Compton led the way in heat 3 with Jason Crump in close attendance. Jason dived through into the lead on the inside of turn three on the second lap just as Rory Schlein went around Karol Zabik. Rory passed André on the third lap as André's rear tyre punctured and Karol picked up third pace on the last lap. Tai was out again in heat 4 and swooped around the field to lead down the back straight. Sebastian Ulamek finished second and Carl Stonehewer outpaced Ricky Wells to even up the scores at 12 points all.

Greg and Travis gated ahead in heat 5 but Rory Schlein passed Travis on the third turn, lap two and Greg had his hands full hanging on to the lead. Sebastian trapped ahead in heat 6 and neither Johno nor Ricky could do anything about it. Stoney gated well to lead heat 7 briefly until Jason swooped past out of turn 2. Tai picked up second on the inside of the first turn on the second lap but Jason was long gone. Travis trapped to lead heat 8 from Ricky while Josh rounded Karol on the second turn to pick up third place. Josh was skirting the fence as he passed Ricky out of turn two on the second lap and he just failed to pass Travis on the run in to the finish line leaving the match scores at Sheffield 23, the World 25.

Rory went the long way around the first corners to lead heat 9 by the end of the back straight. André passed Sebastian on the inside of the pits turn to move into third place but Sebastian went wide looking for grip and repassed him out of turn two on the third lap. Karol's bike expired at the start of heat 10 leaving Ricky in the lead. Jason powered past him on the outside of the third turn and Ricky went wide looking for extra grip, but went too wide on the third lap allowing Johno through into second place. Greg and Travis trapped ahead in heat 11 while slow starting Josh picked off Stoney and quickly closed in on the leaders. Despite all his efforts the World pair held on for a 5-1 leaving them 6 points ahead with two heats remaining.

Team manager Reg Wilson reacted quickly introducing Tai as a tactical substitute for the out of sorts André Compton in heat 12 but Sebastian and Jason made another great start and the World Stars claimed another maximum to seal the win. Heat 13 was academic but you wouldn't have known it from the way Greg and Rory contested the lead with Rory just getting the verdict to spoil Greg's maximum. Sheffield 'Legends' 35, World Stars 43.

The meeting was followed by an old fashioned rider-of-the-night with heat winners and fastest second to the final for the Irwin Mitchell Trophy. Greg Hancock won the first heat. Ricky went too wide on the second lap allowing William Lawson to pass him, and even wider one lap later clipping the third bend fence and falling in the process. Jason won the second heat from Johno with Sebastian passing Karol on the second lap. Tai won the third qualifying heat. André passed Rory on the pits bend only for Rory to dive under André on the third bend one lap later and he went into the final as the fastest second.

Tai burst around the field to lead by the third bend but Jason passed him on the inside of the pits turn on the second lap. Greg caught Rory napping on the last lap with an inside pass on the third turn to bring the meeting to a conclusion.

The remaining five Tigers then took to the track for some practice laps to shake off the cobwebs. Richard Hall was looking good until his engine stopped on the third turn and deposited him in the fence but thankfully he was quickly up onto his feet. Paul Cooper, Ritchie Hawkins, Joel Parsons and Chris Mills all got plenty of laps in without incident and hopefully they will all be ready for their first away meeting at Scunthorpe on Friday...

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