THE 2003 World Cycle Speedway Championships will be staged at Astley and Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club's Gin Pit track.

The Cycle Speedway Commission of British Cycling deliberated over applications from several UK clubs at their quarterly meeting on Saturday before allocating the prestigious championships to the joint Astley and Tyldesley and Bury bid.

This is the first time that a major cycle speedway international tournament has ever been held in the North of England and is a real achievement for both clubs. Astley and Tyldesley have successfully promoted many British Championship Finals since 1995, whilst Bury scaled new heights with their promotion of this year's British Individual Championship Finals.

The Championships will be held over the weekend of Friday August 1 to Sunday August 3, using both venues, and consist of Individual Championships at Senior and Junior levels, as well as the Senior and Junior World Team Cups. Individuals and teams are expected from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Poland, Australia and the U.S.A.

With just under two years to go, there is plenty of time to prepare for the big weekend. The planning and preparation has already started.

Astley and Tyldesley were also successful in their bid to stage next year's home international meeting - the first time that this event has come to Gin Pit.

On the racing front, the Astley and Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct Club wrapped up the outdoor season with their Club Individual championships at Gin Pit last Wednesday. Damien Hack raced unbeaten to win the title, with Mike Hack runner-up and Russ Holland third. Marvin Kinlock won the U-13 category, ahead of Rob Longworth and Chris Heslop.