Track racing season 2016-17
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sK5jAIM1AM]
The 2016-17 Track Racing Season concluded on Wednesday 29 March with a final, combined Italian Pursuit, trophy presentation and small celebration to mark the end of an excellent racing season.ACTVCC President, Dougal Torrance attended the final session to thank the participants and hand out trophies. Dougal has recently developed a taste for track riding and should be a regular trackie next year.
The 2016-17 track season saw 37 riders participating in one or more track sessions. Overall, the attendance was similar to last year. The enjoyment level was as high as ever. This season started well with good attendance and some of the missing veterans from Queanbeyan Park days, finally giving the Bundadome a go. The high-banked, Bundadome track is more challenging and enjoyable than Queanbeyan Park and the track facilities are much better.
The track season was injury free. We had a few close shaves with novice riders. However, everyone learned from the mistakes made and better rider protocols were put in place, immediately. The standard of riding was high and most of the regular riders improved considerably over the season. The most improved rider was Alec Millett, who commenced the last track season in B grade and progressed to be the front runner in A grade, this season. Alec unfortunately had a fall when racing external events, just prior to intended competition in State titles. Hopefully, the consequent injury is just a temporary setback.
As usual, we had a core of regular riders who turned up week in, week out. For example, Ross Scutts competed in every track session and Phil Anderson missed only a single session due to work commitments. There were around 20 other riders who raced consistently.
There were 20 track sessions with around 75 races over the track season. The season provided a variety of race formats including scratch races, handicaps, pursuits, match races, sprints and time trials. All of the races contributed to an overall Track Championship. For the third year in a row, the gold medal for this championship was won by Michael Langdon. Michael started and finished the season in great form and impressed everyone with his spirited riding, ability and all round good humour. The silver and bronze medals for the track championship were won by Ross Scutts and Phil Anderson respectively. Both riders were deserving medal winners and real stalwarts in B grade.
The Track season included a Christmas Wheel Race with the trophy taken by Ben Robey. Towards the end of the season, we ran a four-event Omnium Championship that was won, jointly, by Michael Langdon and Ben Robey.
This summary would not be complete without acknowledging all the parties who contributed to a great track season. This includes the club committee who book the venue, support the track racing discipline and publish results, the first aiders from Sports Medicine, all those who assisted in myriad ways over the season and, finally, the riders who invariably displayed the best competitive spirit and camaraderie.
Graeme O’Neill
Results
Final Track Championship Point Scores
Michael Langdon (332), Ross Scutts (295), Phil Anderson (290) Steve Jones (260), Tony Beasley (258) Alec Millett (220), John Paul De Sousa (203).
Final Omnium Championship Scores
Ben Robey (14), Michael Langdon (14), Steve Dean (13), Ross Scutts (12), John-Paul De Sousa (11), Andrew Peel (10), Dougal Torrance, Tony Beasley, John Lowe (8).
Christmas Handicap, Track Championship & Omnium Winners
Ben Robey, Michael Langdon, Ross Scutts, Phil Anderson.
We have a spreadsheet with the complete Track Racing results for 2016-17.
