Kelvin burns up the opposition.

Kent Sweepers Hammers number one Kelvin Tatum rounded off the 2002 season in style by romping to victory in the annual International Bonfire Burn Up grass track meeting at Collier Street in Kent on Sunday.

Although conditions were somewhat difficult for all competitors following heavy rain throughout Saturday and a short, albeit heavy, shower midway through Sunday morning, Tatum made light work of the mud and always looked the likely winner - and so it proved.

The former three-time world longtrack champion cruised through his qualifying races to easily book his place in the eight man finale, and then led from start to finish to head home Wolverhampton's David Howe and Australian Shane Parker, who finished second and third respectively.

"It's a great way to end the year by winning this meeting, and also excellent to see so many Arena Essex fans here cheering me on," TV pundit Tatum admitted afterwards.

Hammers skipper Shaun Tacey was also in the running, but unfortunately saw his own hopes of a place in the final dashed when an organisational mix up in a somewhat chaotic paddock area saw him miss his second ride.

Result - Bonfire Burn Up 2002.

1. Kelvin Tatum
2. David Howe
3. Shane Parker
4. Trevor Banks
5. Matt Read
6. Mattias Kroger
7. Joe Screen
8. Maik Groen