Shaun Tacey and Leigh Lanham. Courtesy David Crane

Arena Essex star Leigh Lanham finished on top at the end of an action packed meeting as Shaun Tacey’s Testimonial was hailed as a great success at Mildenhall on Sunday.
 
A bumper crowd turned out to celebrate the career of the Mildenhall rider and fans from his previous clubs, including Ipswich, Arena Essex, Workington, King’s Lynn and Coventry, enjoyed the sun-drenched four-hour marathon afternoon with bags of entertainment that culminated with a 12-lap finale.
 
Lanham, as well as the Fen Tigers’ own Daniel King, dropped only a point during the qualification heats and were closely followed by Jason Lyons and Tacey on nine points. Jason King and James Brundle provided more home interest after qualifying with eight points, and Coventry’s Billy Janniro and Daniel Giffard made up the top eight. But with Lyons pulling out of the final, Australian Mark Jones stepped up as replacement.
 
With Tacey, Jones and Jason King all failing to complete the 12 laps, Janniro took the chequered flag with Lanham and Giffard following in behind, and Daniel King had to push home for fifth place after running out of fuel when in the lead.
 
With points for totalled up from the qualification and finale, Lanham was crowned winner to receive a £1200 Jawa frame.
 
Qualification standings
1.Shaun Tacey 2 3 2 2 = 9
2.Jason Lyons R 3 3 3 = 9
3.Jason King F 2 3 3 = 8
4.Daniel King 3 2 3 3 = 11
5.James Brundle 3 2 2 1 = 8
6.Mark Baseby 1 1 1 1 = 4
7.Billy Janniro 2 R 2 3 = 7
8.Matt Brown F 1 0 0 = 1
9.Daniel Giffard 2 0 2 2 = 6
10.Jimmy Jansson 3 2 0 R = 5
11.Linus Eklof 1 3 0 1 = 5
12.Nicky Glanz 0 0 1 1 = 2
13.Mark Jones 2 1 1 2 = 6
14.Andrew Bargh 1 0 1 F = 2
15.Gary Cottham 0 1 0 0 = 1
16.Leigh Lanham 3 3 3 2 = 11
 
12 Lapper line up Final: 1st: Janniro (8pts), 2nd: Lanham (7), 3rd: Giffard (6), 4th: Brundle (5), 5th: D King (4), 6th: J King (3), 7th: Tacey (2), 8th: Jones (1). 2 mins 45 secs.
 
Overall standings: 1st: Lanham 18, 2nd: Janniro 15, 3rd: D King 15, 4th: Brundle 13, 5th: Giffard 12, 6th: J King 11, 7th: Tacey 11, 8th: Jones 7.
 
* Overall placings determined by points carried forward from qualification + points awarded in the final.