Week 4 of RAW Track was our first cold night of the season. It was also the first derny night of the series. A big thanks to Sean Eadie (2002 Sprint WC) who rode the derny superbly over 22 events. Other firsts for the night included; first time race “Dueling Dernies”, first Chinese international rider and first crash of the season.

 

The feature race for the night was the Div 4 Tineli Custom Clothing 1.75km Wheelrace. This event actually started in round 1 as only the top 20 Div 4 riders qualified. Once this was done we were ready for the action with David Russell on scratch and Peter Buckingham on limit (220m).

 

Guest reporter Michael Langdon DHBC (eventual winner) takes over.

 

 

 

 

It was great to have Chinese international Jinjie Gong attending RAW track for the first time. The World silver medallist is in Australia training with Sean Eadie and was delighted to mix it with the boys in Div 2. Sean has a specific program for the young sprinter. On Friday morning she trained in the gym for 2 hours and then at 3pm it was training at the DGV which concluded at 5:30pm. Next it was off to the HBT for a satisfying meal and then returning to the DGV for her opening race at RAW Track.

 

 

In the opening race Jinjie found herself on the front of the field with 2 ½ laps to go and she decided to stay there lifting the pace with each challenge. In the final bends she got rolled by two riders but had done enough to show her class to the applauding crowd.

 

The second Friday of the month is of course the night the derny comes out to play.  Round 3 was the sprinter’s domain, with the ever popular Kierin racing. Many great races were conducted but the highlight for many was Jinjie Gong’s explosive ride in Div 2. At 150m to go Jinjie was sitting on 5^th wheel and hadn’t started her sprint. It seemed to me that she was a little intimidated by the strong boys in the sprint. Suddenly I noticed her step out from fifth wheel and start her drive home. Coming out of the final bend she was four high on the track and still in 3^rd place but the run off the bank and her superior power ensured her victory to the delight of the crowd.

 

The next ‘first’ for this week was the gruelling “duelling dernies” race in round 4 for Div 1. This race had to be seen to be believed so I am not going to try and tangle myself in words of description. If you were not there on Friday you will have to ask someone who was to describe this impressive race, as it received thumbs up from riders and spectators alike. Even Sean Eadie, who was on the derny, was blown away by how cruel and punishing this race was (spoken through a huge grin). 

 

The final first for the night was a crash in round 5 which took down 3 riders. Subsequent medical checkups have revealed that Justin Bagge has broken his clavicle. We wish Justin a speedy recovery. On the positive side, the 2008 season has run 122 races with only one fall.

 

The Hillbrick series is well on its way and we have two clear leaders at this stage. Kierin Heffernan (Div 4) and Gavin White (Div 1) have hit the front in the 7 race series. I have pasted the point score at the bottom of this email. 

 

 

 

Next week’s RAW Track will be an absolute blitzer. The night will contain two of my favourite races. The tactical sprinters will revel in the Win’N’Out . Whilst the endurance riders will be left guessing in the “Mystery Lapper” - don’t miss out on the fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Guest report from Div 5 this week.

Ross Clague, Central Coast on his first race at the Dunc.