Titans BMX racing

Winter series 09-10 round two 15 November 2009

Report by Marc Stewart

With the series firmly underway it was off to Clydebank BMX Track, looking well in light of the recent Glasgow weather, the perfect venue for round two of the winter regionals. Second round of six this season, with the best four rounds counting for the series places, it was again all to play for. With the unpredictable weather and continued long term injuries impacting the stable rider numbers, the round still impressively mustered 41 riders. With the race admin starting to run smoothly and the new race software proving you can teach an old dog new tricks (well done Paul Kennard) we were set for a good days racing.

With everyone eager to put into practice the coaching tips gained for their session, last Sunday, with Kelvin Batey. We knew that some feirce and hotly contested racing from some seriously determined riders, was to follow. Holeshot sprints, bloc racing, and lung bursting exertion, we were not disappointed!!

Highlights from the winter series round two

Classes round-up
First up were the 6 and unders. Josh Palmer continued his impressive start to the season, taking maximum points with 4 wins, further cementing his challenge for Winter Series #1 with current #1, Kade Hunter (ASV/ONE Bicycles) rider securing a solid 2nd place. The introduction of Calum Rettie on a new bike added to the excitement of the remaining places with Delvin Russell and Dylan Bradley. Delvin eventually claiming 3rd with Dylan 4th. Diappointment and 5th eventually going to Calum as he was unable to race the final, when he had a good chance of taking the 4th. Next time Calum, next time!

Boys 7-8’s again saw pocket rockets, Jude Crawley and Andrew Herron – Excel/Craigendmuir Caravan Park battling for the win. Andrew going into the final with the two 1st over Judes one, it was anyone guess who would be the victor. Both snapped out the gate together and with neither willing to relinquish their line into the first turn, disaster struck and they both went down. With Joshua McCorrie having to take evasive action. It was Grant Jamieson and Reece Craig who were first to react to the advantage finishing 1st and 2nd respectively. Ben McPake held of a late charge from Joshua for 3rd. With Jude and Andrew back on their bikes finally rolling in for 5th and 6th. The overall win still going to Jude, Andrew 2nd, Reece 3rd, Joshua 4th, Grant 5th and Ben 6th.

Next up were the 7 and under girls with only two little ladies racing saw Elize Hunter (ASV/ONE Bicycles) rider taking maximum points from Megan Craig. Megan pedalled hard in every race but her little legs gave out in the end.

Girls 10-12’s saw two younger riders, Ellie Park (Freeflow Bikes) and Erin McPake stepping up a class to test their developing skills. Both impressed and battled in each race but were unable to catch the older and stronger Excel/Craidendmuir Caravan Park rider Carla Herron again took maximum points. Erin and Ellie’s work rate was not unrewarded with both making sure they kept Jacqueline Kennard behind in all 4 motos to take 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Boys 11-12’s lived up to its unpredictabilty. With Keir McFarlane deciding to test his improvement in the 17+ class Jordan O’Connell was looking to take full advantage of the opportunity of maximum points. Things didn’t go to plan in the first moto with Jordan going hard on the first berm and eventually rolling home forth. He battled hard in the next two motos to take the wins. But some clever riding from Louie Craig in the last moto saw him hold out Jordan to take the overall win on the day, which was even more impressive with Louie riding up a class. New club rider Flynn Johnstone-Hey tried hard to capitalise on his first moto 2nd but eventually finished 3rd ahead of Alistair Kennard.

Highlights from the winter series round two

Cruiser/Mountain Bike class was again hotly contested. With Sean “silver surfer” Boyle’s cruiser being engulfed with a phlethora of MTB’s he continued to making the racing exciting and humourous. Craig McLennaghan continued to impress taking maximum points but was pushed hard by Ross Anderson. Sean holding off the challenge of Freeflow riders Steven Morris and Stephen Docherty respectively for 3rd overall.

With a deminished Old School gate a decision was made to merge the riders with the 17+ class, swelling the ranks to nearly two full gates. This time out, younger riders Keir MacFarlane and Robert McPake pitting their skills against the senior riders. Keir was given a harsh intoduction crashing out in his first two moto’s but never gave in. Robert faired better and was rewarded with a place in the A-Final. Old Schooler Kevin Rettie was also riding well until he was forced to miss Moto 3 and the B-Final after a hard slam on the first berm in Moto 2. Mark McPake looked smooth all day but was unable to hold off the final berm swoop of Brett Archibald in the A-Final. More impressive was Robert Lambie staying attached to his bike and holding off Tye Kinton for 3rd. With Robert McPake being unable to make his late run on Colin Jamieson count finishing 6th with Paul Fox and Steg Mitchell finishing 7th and 8th. The B-Final was also hotly contested between 5 riders due to Dave Herron and Keven Rettie not starting. Youngster Keir getting a great start and pushing Kenny Scullion all the way to the line to finish 2nd. Old schooler Paul Kennard pedalling hard to split the 17+ riders and finish 3rd ahead of John Stewart 4th and Chris Bradley 5th. 17+ has the potential to get better and better this year, hopefully it will be.

So that’s it for round two, great day, great race. Unfortunately, the winter series was abandoned due to the harsh winter and consequent damage to the track.