Poole Wheelers are to promote an open track meeting in memory of former member Rob Jefferies. Jefferies, who loved track racing, was tragically killed in 2011 after being hit by a car while out training.

The main event, a 25km points race features cash prizes and is expected to attract a top class field. Local track stars will be keen to do well on home turf and with a track limit of 27, organiser Gordon Skillen expects the race to fill up quickly. Skillen says....

“At the opening of the Bournemouth track, Rob was working on a race of some sort. This is our attempt to run an event worthy of the great man. The main event is a 25km points race, with primes offered for each of the sprint laps. This race is eligible for National Hardtrack League Points. This event is open to all categories of riders. There is also a 'b stream' of events culminating in 'The Eddie Beck Memorial Trophy', a 10km points race with primes/sprints every 5 laps. This race is meant for riders in their first year of racing and riders of lower category. Riders entering the event will be seeded into either the 'a' or 'b' stream at the organisers discretion, depending on a combination of which race they want to do and their previous results and experience.”

The full program, on 28th July, features, for both 'a' and 'b' riders, a 20 lap warm up race of which the first 6 from each race go through to a roadman's/Australian pursuit. There is also an elimination race and the feature, which is either the Rob Jefferies Memorial “Fistful Of Tenner’s” 25km Dash For Cash or the Eddie Beck Memorial. The first event is open to anybody. The latter event is for 3rd cats and below, riders in their first season of racing and juniors. The big money is in the big event but the 'b' stream is something for the newer riders to aim for.

Skillen is also working on an inter-club 4km team pursuit and an invitation sprint. Further details will be found at the event website http://bigrobjef.blogspot.co.uk