AN INAUGURAL cycle speedway event which took place in Dunfermline has been shortlisted for a national award.

The first-ever Scottish National Cycle Speedway Championships, which was held last month, has been shortlisted for an accolade at Scottish Cycling's annual awards.

It was hosted by Fife Cycle Speedway at their custom-built track within the grounds of Queen Anne High School, and the club's head coach, Craig Masson, has also been feted with a prize nomination.

He has been put forward for 'Volunteer of the Year', whilst the national championships are up for 'Event of the Year' when the awards take place at the Inchyra Hotel and Spa, near Falkirk, next month.

Held in collaboration with Scottish Cycling, with support from JDB All Trades, the "first of its kind" event saw competitors race in a series of sprint battles against up to three other riders at a time, with each race consisting of four laps of the 80m track.

Almost 50 riders, and more than 150 spectators, attended the highly-successful event, which Craig said had helped "recognise the value cycle speedway can bring to cycling".

"We are delighted that the inaugural Scottish National Championships has been nominated for Scottish Cycling's Event of the Year," he commented.

"It's recognition of all the hard work behind the scenes. Hopefully the event will continue to grow, which will help our sport and get more people into cycling."

Less than a week after the event, however, vandals caused an estimated £1,000 worth of damage at the venue, which opened in 2016.

In addition to being the home of Fife Cycle Speedway's 'Fife Revolutions' teams, who compete in Scottish and British league competitions, it is available for the public to use free of charge outwith events and training evenings.

The club, which is a charity, said that the cost of repair would "have a direct impact" on their plans for next season, but, after reading their story in the Press, home improvements firm CR Smith, whose head office is located in Dunfermline, stepped in to cover costs - and double it in sponsorship and promotion.

READ MORE: Power of the Press as firm steps in to help after vandals hit track

The sport is growing in popularity and Fife Cycle Speedway currently have approximately 45 members, making them one of the largest clubs in the UK.

Similar to motorcycle speedway, the pedal version sees competitors ride on a small, dirt oval track, with no brakes, sliding through the corners to take the fastest line, and is accessible, affordable and family-orientated.

In addition to helping increase participation numbers in Fife, Craig has been at the forefront of helping grow the sport across the country, and his work has seen him recognised by cycling's governing body.

He has been put forward for 'Volunteer of the Year' alongside Lorna Breetzke (Elgin Cycling Club) and Mary Lloyd (Ancrum Breeze), with Scottish Cycling noting: "Volunteers are the backbone of our cycling community, from organising events to helping more people get involved in our sport, they go the extra mile (or kilometre) to support our sport."

In the 'Event of the Year' category, the Scottish National Cycle Speedway Championships will go up against the Scottish Downhill Association Series, Scottish National Youth Circuit Championships, and Zetland Park Pump Track Series.

The Scottish Cycling awards take place on November 16.