After having a rain shortened training session on Wednesday night we struck it lucky with a very pleasant Friday evening. Riders and spectators enjoyed the conditions and the riders put in some good performances.
First race for the night was an A grade 6 lap scratch race and the riders swapped steady turns until the last lap. Fletcher Hill moved away early but was challenged by Oscar Davis down the back straight however, he showed his great fitness to finish strongly up the home straight to score a clear win. Ethan Davis had a battle with Ryder Evans for the third place but finished too strongly for Ryder.
In the B Grade 5 lap scratch race, Hugh Livingstone was having his first race and showed plenty of strength and courage, riding the outside of the track from the bell. Down the back straight it looked like Zac Evans had held of the challenge but Hugh kept powering along well wide of the other riders and found he had enough speed coming off the bank to roll in a winner over Zac with Renee Hardacre holding of Bastian Jefferies for the minor place.
It was then on to the 1 lap dash against the clock with riders keen to see if there skills and training were making improvements to their times. Fletcher Hill clocked in a new PB at 35.39 secs to lead the times. With the good night and recent training it seems all did new PB’s – Oscar Davis was next best at 36.00 sec ahead of brother Ethan at 37.90secs and Ryder Evans at 39.68sec. In the B grade field, Hugh Livingstone stopped the clock at 44.00 secs just quicker than Zac Evans at 44.82 sec, Renee Hardacre at 46.05 sec and Bastian Jefferies at 51.02 sec.
Riders then fronted up for some handicaps. The A grade 1 lap race saw Fletcher, riding from scratch surge home to claim the win from Oscar (20m) and Ryder (35m) in third. After this sighter the handicapper made minor adjustments and next time it was Ethan (35m) taking he win from Fletcher (scr) and Oscar (25m) in third. In the B grade handicap Bastian Jefferies (50m) enjoyed the handicap to lead all the way. Next in was Zac Evans (15m) and Renee Hardacre (20m) in third. In the revised race it was Renee Hardacre (15m) taking the win ahead of Zac Evans (scr) and Bastian(40) just hanging on for third.
The riders then had some sprint heats and a chance to practice some skills. In the first Fletcher was too quick for Oscar whilst in the second heat it was Ethan who claimed the win ahead of Ryder. The third heat saw a close race between Zac and Renee with Zac taking the honours whilst the 4th heat saw Hugh account for Bastian. IN a change of opposition it was Fletcher who again proved to quick, this time over Ethan. In the next heat it was a narrow win for Oscar over Ryder. In the final sprint – a 4 up affair, it was Renee who dashed home the winner ahead of Zac, Bastian and Hugh.
To finish the night it was an elimination race. With some close calls each lap it was finally down to the business end and it was Ryder claiming third with Ethan 2nd and Fletcher taking the win.
Training is Wednesday night, weather permitting, at 6pm at the track. We can find track bikes for new riders so come along and have a go, just as Hugh has done.
Lindsay
updated 9am 25th Sept.
