Track racing on Friday night was a quiet night even though conditions were very good. A number of rides were away doing the Great Vic Bike ride and another was up to Maryborough for the Country titles whilst another was just beck from a Melbourne School Camp. Club coach Tony Smith saw the night as a great opportunity to bring the motor bike out for some motor paced events. This was another new learning event for Harley Elms having only his second night of racing.

After a warm up behind the motor bike the riders had a 1 lap time trial. Tom Dudley posted a 33.04 sec time which was his best for the season. Ben Patterson was next best with another personal best in 34.28 sec. Third place went to Matt Dudley with 35.94 sec whilst Harley managed to take a second of his previous time in clocking 37.12 sec.

The time trial was followed by a 2 lap handicap with riders on scratch, 30m, 60m and 90m handicaps. Harley pulled his foot out of the pedal at the start so he was soon out of the race. Ben Patterson was away to a brilliant start and caught Matt Dudley and had a sit for a half lap and looked like the winner. However, he did no press on for the win coming into the back straight. This allowed Tom Dudley to close down the gap and cruise past the others in the dash to the line to claim a solid win from the scratch mark. Ben claimed second and Matt 3rd.

After a brief recovery the riders were back on the track for a 10 lap motor paced scratch race. Ben Patterson did a good job round to bell lap but Tom Dudley was again in cruise mode as he powered home for another win. Matt Dudley finished well to claim 2nd ahead of a tiring Ben and Harley.

After the club riders went to Melbourne last Saturday to watch the World Cup meet, the riders were keen to try out a kerin. This was run over 5 laps with the motor bike providing the pace for 3.5 laps. Again it was Tom Dudley winning ahead of Ben and Matt.

The last event for the night was a team sprint over 1 lap. Tom and Harley taking on Matt and Ben. At the end of a half lap it was the team on Matt and Ben just in front. However a power next half lap by Tom saw the win go to Harley and Tom.

Last week the Club annual general meeting was held. The new president is Kevin Feely with Tony Clark as Vice President. Several new members were elected on to the committee Paul Taranto, David Lumby and David McFarlane. This is great news for the club and we look forward to some new ideas in the coming 12 months.

Race report by Lindsay Love