SueP
18-12-2009, 11:23 AM
Thanks to race directors Tony O’Connor and Vanessa Essam, and to marshals Chris Drew and Sue Powell and to all the other helpers on the night.
Thanks also to the sponsors with TLC generously providing vouchers for the winner of each grade and the overall winners (male and female). Silent Range Estate added a fine bottle of wine for the overall winners.
Race Report
A very windy night greeting the 45 competitors and with small fields in each grade there was no hiding from the wind with the echelons spilling right across the track. The 3 lap heats were intense with some hard racing to avoid missing out on the final.
After a brief break whilst the race directors sorted out the all important final handicaps and the grades discussed their tactics everyone lined up ready for the 5 lap final. With scatchies starting 2.10 behind limit it was always going to be a tough ask in the wind. Womens C worked hard to stay out front, but the E grade bunch worked together brilliantly to reel them in after one lap. Kate Westmoreland was quick to seize the opportunity to jump in with the boys for much of the race. In the end the teamwork of E grade was just too good, edging out a fast finishing D grade for the win. Kate held onto her advantage to be the first women across the line. After much debate it was felt that the handicapper did a pretty good job on a very windy night and another ½ lap would have seen all the grades coming together.
The competitors, families and friends were then treated to a great xmas spread courtesy of Dan and the V-mobile crew. Great night to wrap up a great year of racing. Hope everyone has a fantastic break and come back refreshed in the New Year. And to those Vikings out of action at the moment – get well soon and hope to see you back on the bike before to long.
Results
Wheelrace Qualifying Heats (top 5)
3 laps
A
Mitch Lovelock-Fay
Simon Dwyer
Simon Niemeyer
Mark Harris
Simon Claringbold
B
Mike Christopherson
Jamie Young
Bradley Lovelock
Leigh Taylor
Andrew Lake
C
Tony O’Connor
Mark Stevenson
Tom Behrens
Ben Long
Kane Piper
D
Scott Bowen
Rob Fisher
James Fisher
Etienne Blumstein-Jones
Richard Gorrell
E
Andrew Collins
Richard Altria
Andrew Thaller
Oliver Thearle
Brad Booby
WB
Meredith Hutchison
Shridevi Vasudeva
Lyn Vasudeva
Lyndsey Vivian
Ingrid Kimber
WC
Emma Wensing
Kate Westmoreland
Kylie Biilmann
Carol Paice
Linda Rigby
Wheelrace finals
5 laps
Handicaps
WC limit (0)
E 0.20
WB 0:40
D 0.50
C 1.20
B 1.50
A scratch (2.10)
Andrew Collins (E)
Andrew Thaller (E)
Oliver Thearle (E)
Richard Altria (E)
Scott Bowen (D)
First women
Kate Westmoreland (WC)
Thanks also to the sponsors with TLC generously providing vouchers for the winner of each grade and the overall winners (male and female). Silent Range Estate added a fine bottle of wine for the overall winners.
Race Report
A very windy night greeting the 45 competitors and with small fields in each grade there was no hiding from the wind with the echelons spilling right across the track. The 3 lap heats were intense with some hard racing to avoid missing out on the final.
After a brief break whilst the race directors sorted out the all important final handicaps and the grades discussed their tactics everyone lined up ready for the 5 lap final. With scatchies starting 2.10 behind limit it was always going to be a tough ask in the wind. Womens C worked hard to stay out front, but the E grade bunch worked together brilliantly to reel them in after one lap. Kate Westmoreland was quick to seize the opportunity to jump in with the boys for much of the race. In the end the teamwork of E grade was just too good, edging out a fast finishing D grade for the win. Kate held onto her advantage to be the first women across the line. After much debate it was felt that the handicapper did a pretty good job on a very windy night and another ½ lap would have seen all the grades coming together.
The competitors, families and friends were then treated to a great xmas spread courtesy of Dan and the V-mobile crew. Great night to wrap up a great year of racing. Hope everyone has a fantastic break and come back refreshed in the New Year. And to those Vikings out of action at the moment – get well soon and hope to see you back on the bike before to long.
Results
Wheelrace Qualifying Heats (top 5)
3 laps
A
Mitch Lovelock-Fay
Simon Dwyer
Simon Niemeyer
Mark Harris
Simon Claringbold
B
Mike Christopherson
Jamie Young
Bradley Lovelock
Leigh Taylor
Andrew Lake
C
Tony O’Connor
Mark Stevenson
Tom Behrens
Ben Long
Kane Piper
D
Scott Bowen
Rob Fisher
James Fisher
Etienne Blumstein-Jones
Richard Gorrell
E
Andrew Collins
Richard Altria
Andrew Thaller
Oliver Thearle
Brad Booby
WB
Meredith Hutchison
Shridevi Vasudeva
Lyn Vasudeva
Lyndsey Vivian
Ingrid Kimber
WC
Emma Wensing
Kate Westmoreland
Kylie Biilmann
Carol Paice
Linda Rigby
Wheelrace finals
5 laps
Handicaps
WC limit (0)
E 0.20
WB 0:40
D 0.50
C 1.20
B 1.50
A scratch (2.10)
Andrew Collins (E)
Andrew Thaller (E)
Oliver Thearle (E)
Richard Altria (E)
Scott Bowen (D)
First women
Kate Westmoreland (WC)