Xmas Wheel Race - Thursday 17/12

[Vanessa]

Come along to the last race before Xmas - a wheel race at SFP on Thursday 17/12, to be followed by a friendly BBQ :)

All grades MA-E & WA-C will be catered for. Each grade will do a 3 lap race, with the top 5 finishes in each grade making the final handicap wheel race which will be run over 5 laps.

Rego from 5.45pm, racing schedule will be as follows;
3 lap heats

6.00pm ME & MD

6.15pm WC & MC

6.30pm WB & MB

6.45pm WA & MA


Final - 7.15pm, over 5 laps

Please note times are approximate only...come along & enjoy the atmosphere & racing for the whole evening. There will be a BBQ on site :)

Entry is $5 (please bring correct change if possible).

For safety, riders must have a current Cycling Australia licence. Day and general licences can be bought at the time of registration.

Please bring your ACT permanent race number if you have one. If you don't have a permanent race number, liaise with Jason Parkes jpparkes@three.com.au to arrange to have one issued. Anyone who does not have a permanent number will have a temporary number issued at race registration.

Race Officials:
Vanessa Essam
Tony O'Connor
Sue Powell

[Vanessa]

Please note changes to distance & times....come along & try out our wheel race. We are looking at making this an annual event!

[James]

Call me ignorant if you will, but what is a wheel race? I can't think of a single logical explanation that would lead to it's being called a wheel race (as distinct from a non-wheel race) that doesn't involve something ludicrous.

[SueP]

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/track/?id=wheelrace

Generally a track event, but hey, Stromlo is just like a longish, not so round, flat track if you use your imagination.

[milto]

they are always keenly contested as they have the greatest amount of prize money on offer.

Vanessa you didn't mention below how much prize money!

[Vanessa]

Prize money depends on entries - but it will be up for grabs!

[James]

Cool.

Will there be woodchopping and Cathy Freeman and everything too?

[RobF]

wot?

[SueP]

Cool.

Will there be woodchopping and Cathy Freeman and everything too?

Are you offering a demo? But I thought we were going to be entertained by the dinosour races on the mini track???

[James]

wot?

Read the article- wheel races are often accompanied by woodchopping and Cathy Freeman (or at least, athletics & athletes).


Are you offering a demo? But I thought we were going to be entertained by the dinosour races on the mini track???

First, wheelrace (which I now understand and am interested in). If you provide wood, an axe and Cathy Freeman, I will gladly demonstrate. And then I will beat Rob in a one-on-one Fisher Brothers Special- while on fire.

[Bean]

Well, I'll buy a ticket for that boys.

[Sluggo]

You guys have got it right, a Wheelrace is the main event at a track carnival,
run as a hcp, usually over a distance of 3000m for an outdoor track and 2000m for an indoor track. There is usaully also running, ie: a Gift, plus they also have woodchopping.

A bit of history they actually started back in the 1890's, the big event then was the 'Austral' wheelrace in Melbourne, which was actually held at the MCG on the grass, I believe first prize was a Grand Piano.

The really big wheelraces are still held in Tasmania at Xmas, they run over 7 days at various tracks, most big open tracks, it's usually bloody cold and windy. The biggest being Latrobe, the prizemoney is incredible, the Latrobe Wheelrace is worth $8500 cash first prize. The Latrobe track is quite unique in that it does not have a fence around the outside, and there actually been crashes where riders have ended up in the crowd. I've ridden these carnival about 12 times, they are great fun but incredibly hard, riders don't give an inch.

[RobF]

I REALLY hope the prize is a grand piano, especially if the winner rode to the track and has to try to get it home.

[idol]

Lets make a party out of it next Thursday! I'm in charge of the BBQ and festivities so BYO and have a good time while watching the final of the wheelrace.

I'm putting on a Vikings Talent Night as well. So far I have 3 entries:

1. Kano - showing us how to karaoke
2. SimonD - doing his rendition of Father and Son
3. Shridevi - performing interpretive dance

Anymore entries? I'm also looking for an emcee for the night.

[Driver]

don't forget;

4. Chris - performing an acrobatics display
5. Bossie - demonstrating homeopathic nipple protection remedies
6. Anla - topless post race show for the... lads
7. Ben - half empty (full) wine bottle collection/relocation

[j_young_80]

This driver kid knows too much....

[SimonD]

I might sub in the electrical banana verse of Mellow Yellow. Dan will be performing his spoken word piece, "But he was not in the bunch". Jules will be doing his remarkable impression of a house with lights on, but no body actually at home.

Those out at norman this morning will have seen my fully rad wheel race flyer, demonstrating how wide my talents are and just how hard I will be to beat at the talent quest.

[SimonD]

http://www.vikingscyclingforum.org.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=267&stc=1&d=1260485334

[Bean]

don't forget;

7. Ben - half empty (full) wine bottle collection/relocation

Ooops! My apologies there. I didn't realize until it was too late that Frances was after a bottle. Luckily that one had been opened for 3 days (ex tasting bottle) and had gone rancid... and karma caught up on us and it fell over in Erica's car!! I'll see if I can rustle up some of the good stuff if you're keen. Best advertise with something that tastes OK!

[idol]

By the way, I'm actually serious about the Talent contest. Bring your guitar along, Simon!

[Vanessa]

Don't forget this one tomorrow (Thursday) night.

Sorry but no piano available (can't fit mine in my jersey pocket...). But prizes will be available - first male/female in the final will be receiving a $50 voucher courtesy of TLC :) There will also be $20 vouchers for winners of all grades. Additional cash prizes will be dependent on numbers.

Come along & have a go...if this is a success we will make it a permanent fixture on the race calendar...I can see a perpetual trophy coming :)

[Sluggo]

Congratulations to everyone who rode tonight, it was a great night and everyone rode with a great spirit and had fun with something different. Thanks to everyone who helped out too.

Next year Simon D and myself won't let the D grade burglars get up again, but well done you guys, you used your handicap to perfection.

[SimonD]

How fun was that? Except for the talent quest, which we'll all agree is best forgotten.

In accordance with our technological and sophisticated grading system, all D grade riders have been bumped up to B.

[SueP]

That was the most fun I've had marshalling a race. Great to see everyone out there braving the windy conditions and the final was certainly exciting to watch. I think Vikings can rest assured that there is plenty of talent on offer ON THE BIKES and on the BBQ!

PS - full results will be out tomorrow but it was E grade taking out the top 4 placings, with 3 D graders getting oh so close!

[SSSimon]

Well done all - Tony - 'he's an ideas man' O.
Great fun and a good workout in the gale.
Thanks to all the marshals, officials, cooks, etc.

That was the best Xmas party of the year!