Sussex Cycle Racing League

The seemingly indefatigable Peter Baker first raced at Preston Park Velodrome in Brighton in 1976. 50 years later he’s still racing and competing at this venerable outdoor facility in the Sussex Cycle Racing League’s Wednesday Track League.

Race 3

Peter began his 2026 season at Race 3 on 6th May, finishing 7th from 10 in the 5-lap “Scratch” Race, 10th from 13 in the 6-lap “Points” Race, 11th from 12 in a 3-lap “Dash”, 6th from 6 in another 3-lap “Dash”, and 18th from 22 in the final “unknown distance race” that turned out to be only 4 circuits.

Race 4

Race 4 was a fortnight later on 20th May when Peter was 5th from 6 in his first “Dash” Race.  He was then 7th from 10 in a “Scratch” Race, 9th from 10 in a second “Dash”, 6th of 10 in the “Elimination”, and 9th from 10 in the final “unknown distance” event.

Peter Baker by Rob Flinn

Race 6

Race 6 was on 17th June. Peter recorded 5th from 8 in the “Points” race, 8th of 8 in the “Scratch” and 6th from 7 in the “Dash”. More significantly he led a lap of honour of all the racers to mark the 50th anniversary of his first race at the venue.

Race 8

24th June saw Race 8 when Peter was up against 8 others in “Scratch”, “Dash” and 200-metres Standing Start Sprint. He was 5th, 6th and 6th again respectively.

Race 9

On the 1st July Peter recorded his best results of the season with 2nd from 4 in the “Scratch”, 4th from 7 in the “Elimination” and 2nd again from 4 in the “Dash”.

Race 1o

Race 10 was on 8th July. Peter came 10th from 13 in the “Senior Championship Race Scratch”, 5th from 6 in another “Scratch” and 5th from 6 in the 200-metre Sprint final. 

Hove Park Crits

Not far away across the city, Ryan Machin competed in the second round of the Hove Park Crits on Friday 3rd July. After 28-laps of the tarmac track, and just under 40-minutes of jostling for position with ten fellow competitors, he came away with a fine third place.