Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

  • It’s not just about the racing
  • Racing this Week
  • Race Reports

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton

It’s not just about the racing

One of the key aspects of ACT Vets events is the post-race cuppa where members can get together and exchange stories. Members are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to hang around after the race and socialise with their fellow riders.

And a reminder that next week is our Christmas Wheel Race where we will be putting on some catering to allow members to stay on after their heat and participate in the festivities and the awards.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 5th December: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
E/F/G 5:50 28 min + 2 laps
A/C 6:25 A 42m+2, C 38m+2
B/D 7:15 B 42m+2, D 38m+2

Race Director:  Phillip Coulton
Contact: Email: phillcou@bigpond.net.au    Ph  0417299149

Marshal:  Ben Davis

Wednesday, 6th December: Track Racing

The Program for Wednesday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 7.00pm: 24-Lap points race;
7.00pm – 7.30pm: Italian Pursuit.

Sunday, 10th Dairy: Dairy Road Scratch Race

Where: Dairy Road, Fyshwick.
When: 8:00 am.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
08:00 am – A/B 50 mins + 1
09:00 am – C/D 40 mins + 1
09:50 am – E/F/G 30 mins + 1

Race Director: Nick Boylan Contact: Email: paddlepower@grapevine.com.au    Ph  0406379973

Marshal: Ben Davis

Upcoming Marshall Roster

The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
Date: Event – Marshals
12-12-2017: Stromlo FP – Duane Toohey
17-12-2017: Dairy Road – Matthew Haddock
19-12-2017: Stromlo FP – Ben Davis

From the Desk of the Handicapper

Grading Changes for this week;

Stuart Cathcart B to A
John Manning C to B
Dan Grillo D to C
Tess McLachlan E to D

Rob Langridge

RACE REPORTS:

Narrabundah Track Racing – 29th November

Session 8 for the track racing season attracted 17 riders. The conditions were quite good except for a slightly higher temperature and breeze than ideal. Attendance was marginally down, but compensated by the enthusiasm of the competitors who showed up.

It is obvious that riders’ form is improving, as the season progresses. The pace in the 10-lap A grade scratch race was hot from the start with Kerry Knowler and Lindy Hou leading out for three laps. Then Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa and Ben Robey led out, with negligible loss of pace. David McCook took over on lap 7 and demonstrated his improving form with a notch up in pace. On lap 8 Michael Langdon jumped off the front with Kerry Knowler and Lindy Hou struggling to close a rapidly formed gap. However, Michael lost interest in the attack, within two laps. The pack converged as it approached the bell lap. John Paul De Sousa attacked from high on the banking and the sprint lap progressed at a furious pace. Michael Langdon and Steve Jones had a close fought battle with Michael taking it on the line for the win. John Paul De Sousa reaped the benefit of sound tactics with a solid third place. David McCook confirmed his improving form by a fourth placing.

The 10-lap B grade scratch race also settled into a solid pace. When Steve Dean took the lead on Lap 6, he gapped the field slightly with one rider dropping out and the field streaming around nervously jockeying for position. The bunch stayed like this for several laps until Tony Beasley took an opportunity to attack into the bell lap. Sue Powell and Ross Scutts pursued furiously. Tony took the win with Sue Powell and Ross Scutts streaming into the minor places in that order. Sue and Ross have really settled into B grade and become consistent contenders in all the events.

The next event was a 2-lap handicap. The handicaps are now run as combined A & B Grade races as this provides better separation of riders and a more exciting pursuit. Both handicap races had close fought finishes that greatly pleased the handicapper. In Race 1, Ben Robey and Ed Garnett had an exciting duel, from which Ben emerged the victor. Michael Langdon took third after an impressive and relentless pursuit from the scratch mark.

Race 2 also saw close racing and a big effort from all riders. Alec Millett rode brilliantly overtaking all riders and finishing with a small gap on the field. The remaining riders coalesced into a group on lap 2 and streamed past the limit rider within sight of the finish line. Phil Coulton and David McCook had fine rides to take second and third places.

The handicap races were followed by 12-lap points races, with intermediate sprints and a final sprint for double points. Michael Langdon and Steve Jones dominated in A grade with finishes in that order for the three sprints. Michael garnered 20 points for an emphatic win. Steve, who has recently returned from a long lay off, gained 16 points to confirm that he is rapidly returning to form. Ed Garnett and David McCook rode sensibly to garner 6 points each, enough for joint third placing.

In B Grade, Tony Beasley dominated with wins in both sprints and gained an impressive half lap break on the field over the second half of the race. The minor sprint places where shared among Ross Scutts, Sue Powell and Phil Coulton. Tony Beasley amassed15 points for an emphatic win. Ross Scutts took second with 10 points. Sue Powell took third with 9 points.

The lead up to the all-in, Italian Pursuit was disrupted by Ed Garnett finding a deflating tire on the start line. A hurried readjustment to teams likely left Team 2 slightly weakened. However, both teams performed flawlessly with the early pursuit being quite close. As the race ticked over, Team 1 asserted their dominance leading to an unpressured, but rapid finish by anchor riders, John Paul De Sousa and Michael Langdon. Congratulation to team 1 for a fine effort.

Major place getters were as follows:
10-Lap Scratch: (A Grade): Michael Langdon, Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa (B Grade) Tony Beasley, Sue Powell, Ross Scutts.
2-Lap Handicap: (A&B Race 1):Ben Robey, Ed Garnett, Michael Langdon (A&B Race 2), Alec Milton, Phil Coulton, David McCook
12-Lap Points Race: (A Grade): Michael Langdon (20), Steve Jones (16), David McCook (8) (B Grade) Tony Beasley (15), Ross Scutts (10), Sue Powell (9).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (John-Paul DeSousa, Ben Robey, Michael Langdon, Ross Scutts, Bruce Griffin)

Season Point Score Update:
Michael Langdon (150), Hamish Anderson (131), Tony Beasley (114), Ross Scutts (107), John Paul DeSousa (106), Paul Kennedy (105), Phil Coulton (87), Steve Hirsler (81).Ben Robey (77).

Graeme O’Neill

 

Mt McDonald Time Trial – 3rd December

With a month’s worth of rain falling on Saturday and threats of more rain and thunderstorms on Sunday, it wasn’t clear that the annual Mt McDonald hill climb would be on but the weather held off and the race went ahead.

The were 14 stalwarts turned out for the event. This year, we shortened the course to finished at the top of the hill rather than the last 1km of downhill to avoid problems with racing past Uriarra Village.

There was a good turnout of A Grade riders with 6 riders competing for the honours. Steve Crispin was the strongest on the day with a very quick time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

The other Grades had fewer numbers with Peter Taylor the best of the three C Graders, Terrence Merrigan beating Kirsti McVay in E Grade and Nick Boylan, Andrew Matz and Bernie Crow the sole representatives in B, D and G Grade respectively.

As always, the event couldn’t have gone ahead without the support of volunteers. Thanks to the Marshals Richard Gorrell, Ed Joliffe, Tony Weir and Bill Frost. Thanks to Graham Hendrie for the van and timing for the event. And Dougal Torrence for doing a course reconnoitre on Saturday evening to ensure the course was safe for the event to go ahead.

Ian Morton
Race Referee