1992

It was a merry band of men who set off for Ruisbrook in Holland for the European Championship. Robert Lemon had to back out at the last minute leaving Harry Sayell, Tony Haynes, Gordon Pooley, Mike Fowler and John Weston to head up the reds and Marcus Retchless graded blue for the event, to take up the challenge. It has to be said that the British were dominant even though at the flag it was Klaus Kilianski and Johannes Hupen in first and second with Harry Sayell third.  Next came Tony Haynes, Mike Fowler, Gordon Pooley and Marcus Retchless.

British domination continued in the first supporting heat with Marcus Retchless making an early start from the blue grade but as the race drew to a close Kilianski caught Marcus who defended his second place vehemently but Klaus pulled off his second victory of the day.  Harry Sayell was third again with Tony Haynes fourth, Hupen fifth and Mike Fowler in sixth.

The final saw British victory at last with Harry Sayell storming through the pack in record time to be chased, but not caught, by Klaus, who had to be satisfied with second and Hupen third.  Stuart Haynes finished fourth with Mike Fowler fifth and Marcus Retchless sixth.  The team performed well and must be optimistic of a British victory on 23 August at Peterborough with at least five Brits capable of pulling it off.

Also being contested at the World event is the East of England Championship won last year by Duncan Long and the inaugural presentation of the Gerald Smith Memorial Trophy.

European Championship: 1st KIaus Kilianski, 2nd Johannes Houpens, 3rd Harry Sayell, 4th Tony Haynes, 5th Mike Fowler, 6th Gordon Pooley