Match report by someone on Spokesman Online, shamelessly stolen again with thanks by tk:

Saturday 7th September 2013

Euro Vets - Round 7 Perry Barr, Birmingham plus Birmingham Monarchs v Northumbria Vikings Challenge

ARIS WINS DESPITE CRANK FAILURE – posted 8 September 2013

20 riders made the start line for the seventh edition of the Eurovets at Birmingham. With rain promised there was no hanging about and after schoolmaster Rothwell sorted all the who-goes-where etc., two consecutive ten rider 20-heat matches took place.

Match one looked tasty with most of the big names taking part. Gavin Parr off gate one, away quickly from Frith off four and Hodgkinson. Griffith from the gate in two, Venson second and Jason Keith having a heavy fall. Meanley led home Kirkup in the third. Races five to eight went as expected Parr, Griffith, Venson and Frith winning with Hodgkinson chasing hard.

To race nine and the clash of the top two. It was Griffith all the way from Parr to remain unbeaten. Race 11 and Hodgkinson away, Meanley chasing hard till his crank just fell off, not a happy Dave. Keith recovered from his first race fall for a win over Widdas in the 12th, but his chances were gone. A second win for Hodgkinson over Keith and Kirkup. This was followed by Griffiths remaining unbeaten with a win over Dave Frith. Wins to Parr and Griffith saw them top the scores with the others all losing to each other, the mishaps to Keith and Meanley kept them out of the race-offs.

Mark Griffiths 20, Gavin Parr 19, Dave Frith 17, Norman Venson 17, Steve Hodgkinson 18 Phil Widdas 13, Jason Keith 12, Terry Kirkup 12, John Whiting 13

Match two again provided plenty of action. Pete Chant zoomed from the gate to lead home Mick Aris, Paul Timms on his home track a comfortable winner of the second, Hemming second with Burgess recovering for third. McLaughlin beat Smith in the third. Timms and Chant took the next two with Aris and Mackie having a good natured four lap battle in the eighth. Hemming took the ninth from the fast starting Graham. Timms remained unbeaten after holding off Pete Chant in the tenth.

Wins to Aris and McLaughlin and two important wins to Burgess followed. The 16th and Aris, McLaughlin and Hemming all changed places but Mick took the four points. Kevin Smith a comfortable winner of race 17 with Chic holding off Jim Graham for three laps to great applause. Chant defeated Burgess for an excellent 19, Hemming won from Andy Amos, with Aris having a fine match inflicting Timms’s first defeat. Again lots of close races with Timms and Chant losing once whilst Mick Aris pleased with 19.

Peter Chant 19, Paul Timms 19, Mick Aris 18, Phil Hemming 16, Mike Burgess 17, Joe McLaughlin 16, Chic Mackie 11, J Graham 12, A Amos-Adams 13, Kevin Smith 14

Enter the super computer (AKA Fred Rothwell) to arrange the various repêchage and qualifiers. After these additional races the various finals lined up, still sunny.
Over 60 and Aris off one was away being chased by Kirkup and Whiting. A lap to go and it all went wrong for Mick as he became the second rider to lose a crank, but managed to scoot home in front of Whiting Kirkup and Graham.

Over 50 B Final, McLaughlin took this after a tangle with Widdas and Hemming, Phil H taking second. The A Final and Paul Timms away from the inner and a casual four laps. All the action behind as Burgess made up ground to eventually pass Hodgkinson with Aris third runner up.

Over 40 B Final and Mick Aris in his eighth ride was feeling the pain. Venson away and a comfortable winner, Aris holding off Hodgkinson for third, Dave Frith a good second place. Aris helped back to his chair by Chic!

The A final produced a real tasty line up, Griffith on one, Timms two, Parr three and Chant four. Top scorers race for the top scorers, simples. Griffith away from Timms with Chant and Parr in the mix. Parr manages to round Timms and gives chase to Griffith. Last bend and contact sees Parr win with Griffith second and Timms third. Referee Winwood awarding the race as it finished with Griffiths not too happy. A great race to finish a really good meeting.

Thanks to Birmingham for their hospitality, especially the buffet at the Tennis Court Inn. Also to Mark Winwood for officiating and all the helpers without whose time the match couldn't take place.

Next round is East London, with the finale at Wednesfield.

Top Scorers – best six rounds shown
Over-40s
Mark Griffith 146, Norman Venson 129, Pete Chant 119, Dave Meanley 112
Over-50s
Paul Timms 135, Joe McLaughlin 131, Steve Hodgkinson 121, Mike Burgess 120 (five rounds)
Over-60s
Mick Aris 143, Fred Rothwell 133, Chic Mackie 132

Please note these scores are subject to verification. Any rider who thinks their scores are wrong please drop John Whiting a line.

addendum by tk:
That fateful Over 60s A Final looked subtly different from my viewpoint, so I'll give you the benefit of that. There we were, Mick and I a couple of lengths ahead of John and Jim. As the start of the last lap loomed I felt in reasonable shape and ready to launch a serious attack on Mick, so began gearing up for an outside pass as we cleared the yellow flag. Just beyond the tapes, Mick's crank let go and I struggled to stay aboard as he slowed dramatically just inches ahead of me and almost toppled off into my front wheel. That allowed John to take advantage and he cleared off into the lead. My immediate reaction to Mick's misfortune was to stop alongside and tell him to push on for second place. My sporting colleague Jimmy saw the plot and did the same as me, maintaining station behind Mick and I.

John must have finally looked back and realised my intentions as he neared the finish line and stopped just before it. I dropped off well behind Mick as he scooted over the line to take first place while John's natural urge for victory couldn't hold him back any longer, and he rolled over to take second while I got third with Jimmy waiting sportingly behind me. So it almost ended up like it should have, but not quite, with only the Geordies holding station! Regardless of that, both Jimmy and I were more than happy to have sacrificed our positions in fairness to poor Mick who at the time I admit was the more likely winner as it was anything but easy to overtake today, and I still had a dodgy spark plug. I really enjoy chasing and racing superstar Mick but I'll get him one day!