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 John Taylor, Craig MacKenzie, Grant Pollard and Nigel
Preston joined forces over the Labour Day long weekend
to host a series of pursuit races on the Tom Flood
Velodrome in Bendigo. The races featured four vehicles
staggered at the quarter marks around the 412 metre
track. The HPV Pursuit formed part of the Bendigo
International Madison Carnival, which sees much of
the town’s population turn out each year over 3 days of
cycling.
Weeroona
College,
Maiden Gully PS, St Therese’s School and Bendigo
Youth Racing. All successful on the track, but could
the former managers of these teams pull together to
organise a race themselves?The answer – following the weekends Cartridge
World Bendigo HPV Pursuit – is yes. |
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The impressive field included Bendigo Senior SC, Bendigo
Sth West SC (formerly Maiden Gully PS), Bendigo Youth
Racing, Flora Hill SC, St Margaret's School, St.
Therese’s, Weeroona College Bendigo and Willmott Park
PS. The timing of the event, 1 week after the Wonthaggi
HPGP, seemed to sit well for teams and the number of
teams turning out highlighted the strength of HPV racing
in Bendigo |
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The day started with scrutineering and registration from 9:30am
and Terry Trevena and the crew from St Margaret’s School (SMS)
were more punctual than many of the local crews – despite
travelling from Berwick to be there! Riders, flag marshals and
time keepers were briefed at 11 and the gun fired for the first
heat at 11:30.
During the heats, four riders from varying classes were pitted
against each other over six laps. Many teams made up their
stagger during the heats and there were no racing incidents
requiring marshal assistance. With BYR providing flag marshals
and the teams providing time keepers, the whole day ran as
though it was it’s tenth time, not it’s first. A special thank
you to the Bendigo crew for marshalling and also to St Marg’s
and Willmott Park PS for travelling a great distance to
participate.
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One of the highlights of the day was a 25 minute gap
between the heats and finals where riders could pilot a
vehicle from another school for a few laps. Riders from
SMS were in BSSC’s ‘Vinnie’ & ‘Tree Goat’ and
vice-versa, BYR riders in Weeroona and primary school
students from St Therese’s and Willmott Park Ps in Flora
Hill vehicles too. There was time to try 2, 3 or 4
different vehicles during this period. Design critique -
from the riders themselves - began to flow, with
comments such as: “The seat
is too upright for me”,
“the leg length is too long”
and “I couldn’t see”;
through to “Wow, that was
quick!” and
“I can see why they go so fast!”
For others, the opportunity to mingle with people from
other teams and meet other students was the greatest
gain. Leigh Eeles, team manager of Willmott Park PS
reflected on the day: “I’ve made some contacts and I
think I know the direction we’d like to head to.” |
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photo
As the night session of cycling kicked into gear, 12
HPVs returned to the velodrome for a 12 lap multicar
handicap race. With a large crowd looking on, the
vehicles raised more than a few eyebrows as the riders
lit up the track with plenty of passing moves and speed.
With 80 seconds separating the field over 2 laps, it was
spectacular, even if difficult to work out who was
where. “We had no idea who was winning, but gee, it
looked great!” Nigel Preston said, “Sure, we had a lap
counter for each of the teams, but it was tricky to
relay that info when a lap only takes 30 seconds!”
It was a brilliant showcase and the Madison organisers
were impressed: “We’re
always looking for something else to break up the
cycling” one official said,
“we have the athletics, but I could see us featuring
HPVs more in future years.” The future
signs look good too – will you be heading to Bendigo in
March 2009? |
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Category winners: |
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Junior Boys
Riley O'Shea - Eco Racer 1 - St Therese's School |
Secondary Girls
Bonnie McIntyre - Silver Bullet - Weeroona College,
Bendigo |
Secondary Boys
Boyd Harris - Reloaded - Weeroona College, Bendigo |
Community
Callan Ridge - 'Old Bearded Mate'
- Bendigo Youth Racing |
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View full
results, including times |
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Cartridge World
Each class winner received a medallion and $100 cash
from Cartridge World. All schools and riders received
certificates of participation. They have been strong
supporters of Weeroona College's Energy Breakthrough
squads for many years. |
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Photos and
article written by Nigel Preston, RACV Energy Breakthrough Planning Committee.
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