| Subject: Race Results - Gurston - 1st June 2003 |
Author:
Tom Worsley
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Date Posted: 01:17:57 06/06/03 Fri
Race reports -
SSSprint British Gravity Championship Meeting - 1st June 2003
Overview
We arrived on the Hill - just as it started raining...but with big doses of optimism in the accuracy of the weather forecast, we were only delayed by about an hour and a half before the sun came out - and the track was dry again in minutes.
Street Luge - 6th Round
The first hour or so after the rain was taken up by preparation of luges by some of the racers, and the playing of target practice with the cones by the novices, and Kay. We were soon ready to race, with Nick Christie as acting Time Keeper (thanks Nick!) under Rains experienced eye. Immediately, Jack Banyard and Ben Bewley set the pace for the lugers with first runs at the 59 sec mark. Congratulations to Beth Daunter, who put in her personal best time on her first run of the day.
Meanwhile, the novices also pushed hard from the start, and James Stearns, James Lubbock and Chris Britton all managed 1min 5s or less by the end of the day. (Unfortunately Chris fell heavily on his wrist on his last run, and it later transpired that he had broken a bone in his hand. We all wish him a very quick and comfortable recovery.)
Francis Hasek, although unlucky with his qualifiers, achieved an admirable 1min 19s, and Olly Nelken, despite just having the two runs, sneaked in front of Neil Trehearn for 10th place. Neil then got his own back by putting in the fastest time of the day at a remarkable 57.66s.
Congratulations also to Kay Podymakhina, who achieved a personal best of 1min 03s at the end of the day, and to Nick who got first place. Again.
Gravity Bike - 6th Round
The gravity bikes were now facing stiff competition in the form of GB novice Vithia Gunalan on the new SSSprint creation, which the others admitted wasn't bad at all for something built up from scrap! However, all the glory was snatched by Ian Round when he put in an excellent 55.13s as a qualifier.
The other racers took up the challenge and pushed hard to rival Ian, with Mike Whitehouse closest at 57.24s and brother Graham at 58.7s. Vithia put in a great first attempt of 1min 2s on the new bike, and even Neil Trehearn jumped on to a bike at the end of the day to put in a qualifier, taking the numbers up to five this round.
Stand-Up - 6th Round
Arguably the bravest people on the hill, the stand-up riders numbered greater than the gravity bikers on Sunday, though from their times, it was clear that few of them were novices.
Chung Song unfortunately finished early due to a couple of hard falls, albeit having posted a better time than Nick Christie's first attempt at stand-up. Nick, however, was undeterred and vows to return (good for him!). He will certainly have some stiff competition at Gurston, with none of the others ending the day with times greater then 1min 7s.
Congratulations to Tom Evans who put in a personal best of 1min 7.07s, and also to Anders Osterling and Steve Mobbs, who achieved 1min 5s on their first day at the hill. Meanwhile, Luke Wetherall and James Harmon both put in 1min 2s runs, but sadly Luke blew both of his qualifiers.
An excellent time for experienced Stand Up competitor Darren Rathbone, broke the hill record with a stunning 1.00.66 to take 2nd place on his first outing at Gurston.
However 'Run of the Day' must go to Jason Muscat who then put in another hill record for the stand-up championship and breaking the minute barrier. His 59.84s. left those of us who don't race stand-up, and who have seen the Hill record broken at each meeting, wondering exactly where the limit is going to be!
Congratulations must surely go to Jason, who has managed set hill records at every meeting he has attended so far.
Conclusion
In spite of the rain delayed start, it was one of the most colourful and exciting days I can ever remember at Gurston. With more competitors than ever wanting to run the Hill, the limitations - in terms of turn around between runs - that this enthusiasm is beginning to cause was clear. I would like to reassure riders that this issue is being addressed, and that a new system is to be introduced for the next SSSprint meeting which will ensure that an increased number of riders is balanced by more runs being available to all through the day.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is proposed for Sunday 22nd June at Gurston Down.
I can never predict how many will attend, but numbers have risen at each of the last three meetings - to the point where three riders had to be turned away from the last meeting due to its being over-subscribed. To avoid disappointment, and help me with the booking process, I would really appreciate riders letting me know if they wish to attend immediately - and not leaving it until the Thursday afternoon before the race.
If you wish to enter for the next race meeting, please contact either Ding or myself a.s.a.p.
Tom
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