Titans BMX racing

Round One 25 October 2009 Winter Series 2009-2010

Report by Paul Kennard

Following the clubs growth evolution during the 2009 Summer Series and an inspiring Open Championship, and hot on the heals of the clubs first proper AGM, the riders and the club were keen to keep up the momentum over the 2009/2010 Winter Series. So on 25 October 2009, 45 riders braved the worsening weather conditions at a wet Clydebank BMX Track for round one of the 2009/2010 Winter Series.

The turnout was impressive given that many riders who ended the Summer Series with injuries. But the six week break allowed injuries to heal, so ignoring their pain, some riders used the race day to test their fitness.

The round also gave the race administrators an opportunity to trial the BMX Event Management software to help simplify the drawing of the motos and the recording and posting of the results. The software also allowed rider points to be allocated as per British Cycling Associations specification.

Although the Boys 17 year old and overclass saw a full gate, no class had sufficient numbers of riders to have an A and B final, so all classes rode four motos.

A Good Days Racing

The boys six and under class saw Josh Palmer take maximum points with four wins, determined to claim the Winter Series #1 after AVS/ONE Bicycles rider Kade Hunter took the Summer Series title. Kade secured a solid second place on the day. The main tussle in the class was between Delvin Russell and Dylan Bradley. Delvin eventually claimed third on the day with improving results across the four motos. The award for the biggest smile of the day went to Robert Ducat as he followed the riders home in fifth. The boys 8-9 year class showed the second biggest class field with six riders. Excel/Craidendmuir Caravan Park sponsored rider Andrew Herron took straight wins over second placed Jude Hunter. These guys battled throughout the Summer Series and the Open Championship. Jude has previously come out on top, so it looks like the battle is renewed for the Winter Series. Mark Ducat and Josh McCorrie battled out for third and fourth with Mark eventually taking the final podium place. The final battle in the class was between Grant Jameson (fifth) and Reece Craig (sixth).

In the girls classes, the three 7 year olds and under were merged with the one rider in the 8-9 year. As expected, Ellie Park took maximum points. Ellie will be looking to match her race skills in the girls 10-12 year class for the next round. Ellie McPake made up for a poor first moto to claim the best 7 year and under rider. Megan Craig and AVS/ONE Bicycle rider Elize Hunter took the minor placings. In the older girls class, Excel/Craidendmuir Caravan Park rider Carla Herron took the number one spot ahead of Leah Scullion who took for second places. Erin McPake made sure she kept Jacqueline Kennard behind her in all four motos to take thrid place on the day.

The second of three merged classes pitted two 9-10 year old boys against four 11-12 year old riders. This tough class saw some high class racing but it was Keir McFarlane continued his Summer Series winning streak ahead of the battling Jordon O’Connell. Lewis Graham took third ahead of the two younger riders in the merged class, Michael Ducat (fourth) and Alistair Kennard (fifth). New member Flynn Johnstone-Hey, sixth overall, showed some respectable rookie racing on his debut. The smallest class of the day was the merged boys 13-14yr and 15-16yr class. This was due to two riders opting to race in the boys 17 year olds and over class, so the resulting merged class was left with three riders. The younger Michael McAlpine showed he is a quality rider taking all four wins with Keiran Belfield second, and Summer Series #2 Thomas McMillan in third.

The Old School class field was reduced due to injuries, but four riders (who should know better) fought for the honours. Colin Jamieson stood out a mile taking four wins, but the racing was fierce between new comer David Russell; recovering Richard Proctor and Paul Kennard. Paul eventually claimed second on the day, with David a fine third and Richard following up the rear (partially due to missing moto three as he had to pick up his boy from the cinema!!).

The Cruiser/Mountain Bike class is always a hotly contested class. Plenty of jostles through the field but the mountain bikes made the most of their advantage. Super fast Craig McLennaghan tussled with Mark MacIver, taking the number one spot with three wins to Mark’s one. Mark’s one win was enough to keep him ahead overall of Sean “silver surfer” Boyle’s cruiser, who took two second places in the motos. Hugh “Shug” Ducat took fourth on the day ahead of injured Niall Craig, who disappointingly has ditched his Summer Series ‘L’ plate.

The boys 17 year old and overs class saw the blue ribbon event boast a full gate of riders. With injured Ian Archibald watching from the sidelines, younger riders Greg Layden and Robert McPake (wee Rab) decided to pit their skills against the senior riders and showed they were more than a match for them. Greg had one win in the motos but it wasn’t enough to keep Brett Archibald taking the honours on the day with three wins. Stephen Fraser made the journey from Nairn worth while by taking a solid third place whilst a good result in the final moto saw Robert McPake taking fourth. The remaining places were hard fort with injured riders Kenny Scullion eventually taking fifth and David Herron sixth. Steve McFarlane took seventh and the ever smiling Chris Bradley brought up the rear.

The Winter Series is likely to take place over six rounds with points allocated for riders positions in each round. The rider’s four highest scoring rounds go towards riders overall Winter Series positions.