ASTLEY & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway hosted the 2004 British Veterans Individual Championships at Gin Pit.

On a fine day, an excellent meeting took place with plenty of fast racing that belied the ages of the competitors (ranging from 40 to 60 years old).

Former World Champion Jimmy Varnish, of Wednesfield, raced to a 20 points maximum in winning the Veterans (Over 40s) Final, and he recorded a time of 43.50 seconds, just over 2 seconds away from the Gin Pit track record. Sandwell's Ivan Darby took 2nd place, whilst Newport's Dave Murphy won a four man run-off to take the bronze medal.

Bury's Fred Rothwell won the Grand Veterans (Over 50s) title, with Astley & Tyldesley's Frank Finnigan runner-up and Chris Riches of Essex side Hawbush finishing 3rd.

The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor John Hilton, along with the Mayoress, presented the awards to the riders at the end of the meeting.

Astley & Tyldesley raced at Sheffield on Sunday in the Fifth Round of the Northern Fours and Junior League series, on a very slippery and rutted track.

A & T put up a good showing in the Fours League match, leading after the first round of races. However they fell away after that, and eventually finished in 3rd place, narrowly beaten by Tameside and Sheffield, but finishing ahead of Heckmondwike. Tomasz Wlodarczyk was in great form for A & T, racing to a maximum score of 16 points.

Both Ewan Tulloch and Jeff Radcliffe enjoyed better fortunes in the Senior Combination category of the Northern Junior League match. 8 years old Charlie Keirl performed well in his first ever match in the U-13 category. However, with six riders missing, 3rd place on the day was the best that A & T could wish for and that they achieved.

Tomasz Wlodarczyk put in an excellent performance to take 2nd place in the Manchester League Senior Grand Prix Final at a very wet Bury on Thursday evening. He dropped his only point to the eventual winner, Terry Norman of Tameside. Bury's Paul Dyson finished 3rd.