Sunday saw the MCR posse travel to Bradford for the latest round of the North Region Summer Series. Results will follow, here are some cracking pics of the action from our resident snapper Abi:
Pics courtesy of Abi Taylor check out her site www.abitaylorphoto.com for more galleries of excellent pics.
The second round of the club’s Summer Series saw an increase in rider numbers from Round 1, including 4 Talent Team riders rocking up to do battle (I say battle, I mean “fly round the track at warp speed making it look easy”)
Jake putting on a show
These guys may not be old enough to leave school, vote or drink alcohol, but they can certainly handle a race BMX round a track… Adam Smith is a regular at the Platt Fields track, despite having to travel for several hours to get there and looked as though he’s got it dialled. Kyle Evans was back on his bike after his rude introduction to the ground at the Leeds Regional and gave Adam someone to chase in a couple of motos. Jake Roberts plus Robert and Michael Hawker made this rack look like an A-Final at a National. Watching them rip round the track as though it was a training session was exciting but made me feel old. At least I’m secure in the knowledge that I can get legally drunk whilst voting. Yay for me.
Valerie “The face of Manchester BMX” Zebrokova was up to her usual tricks and led her race by a considerable margin. Valerie has a bright future in the sport and it’s great to see her parents cheering her on at races. Rumours that her dad David is considering getting a cruiser and entering races have largely been started by me, but hey, I think he should get on a bike so will continue to bother him about it at every opportunity.
In the 30+/Cruiser category there was some cracking banter, with Andy Drelincourt and Neil “Hitman” Harbour taking on Mark Ferguson, matthewglynn.co.uk and me on cruisers (thanks to Sutty for lending me his rig for the race…it’s a sorted bike!) and Kev Blackmon looking cool in an old school adidas tracksuit taking on newcomer Ross Gill on 20″.
Andy looks as though he’s been putting in some hours training, as he turned up to the last committee meeting looking suspiciously healthy…whatever he’s been up to, it paid off with an impressive performance in motos sealing the win on the night…He’s got an explosive snap! The man with his own web domain, matthewglynn.co.uk looked good too, fully recovered from a couple of nasty spills earlier in the season. Mark and myself battled it out at the back of the pack, with honours going to the man with a regular haircut. Ross transferred his experience riding park to the track and looks to have a good future as a racer. Kev needs to get himself racing Regionals asap as he’s too good not to be.
Thanks to all who took part and parents/WAGS/friends who turned up to support riders and the event. Thanks to Sutty for the commentary and to Abi for registration and Nikki for finish line duties.
Pics; Mark Ferguson
Adam Smith
Robert Hawker
Kyle Evans
The past few months have been a steep learning curve for me, BMX wise. Like I’ve heard from most of the people who turn up at the track for the first time, ‘I used to ride BMX back in the day’. I had a chrome GT Pro Series which I loved; laid back seat post, ski pole grips, you get the picture… My friends and I used to race around the streets and make jumps, but never rode our bikes on a track, as there wasn’t one we knew of near by.
Roll on 15 years to 2009, I’d just moved house to the doorstep of the new Manchester track, I wanted to get fit and spotted an old school GT on eBay that I got for £41. I arrived at the track one Thursday, seat post up and handlebars forward with a borrowed helmet and pads (I’m still borrowing the pads!). I didn’t know what I was doing but found all the guys there to be very helpful and friendly. Neil sorted out my bike as much as he could and I pottered around the track slowly, getting to grips with the jumps and start gate. I was instantly hooked. On the next session I met James (Rooster) who was in the same boat as me, we both caught the BMX bug and have been riding regularly since.
After a couple of weeks practice the track closed for maintenance work. I missed riding, but filled the time off the bike with a shovel and rake, this was also an opportunity to get to know some of the guys better and start to understand the basics and excitement of racing a little more. Andy, Neil, Pete and Roger’s enthusiasm and commitment to the cause were second to none; everyone else who pitched in, especially when the weather was bad deserves a medal. The track gradually took shape and we were back riding before too long.
After doing laps on several of the other members’ cruisers I decided that 24” would be better for me. I got myself an Avant Factor that was for sale on BMXtalk. I instantly felt an improvement in my pace and technique. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still slow but I’m making progress and more importantly still really enjoying riding. I’ve not even competed yet, but aim to do so soon and I’m especially looking forward to the Manchester regional and national events in July and August. When the track will host some of the best riders in the country. I know how much hard work has and is going on behind the scenes so I’m sure both events will run smoothly and prove to be a great success.
I suppose the point of this post, aside from sharing my story, is to welcome new riders to Manchester BMX club. If you were thinking of coming down and giving it a try, there’s nothing to be worried about. In my experience everyone at the club has been really friendly and welcoming, whether you’re a complete novice or experienced rider, people will have time for you. There’s no pressure and you can always go at your own pace.
One of the things I love about BMXing is that it’s so simple. Get yourself a cheap bike, gloves and helmet and you’re away. Practice is £2.00 (or £1.00 for members), so it’s not going to break the bank like some sports can. I have found BMXing to be a really welcoming and down to earth sport, no egos, just friendly people enjoying themselves with competitiveness saved for race days.
So if you’ve been considering riding, beg, buy or borrow yourself a bike (don’t forget gloves and a helmet) and come down to Manchester BMX on a Saturday between 15:00 and 19:00 or on a Thursday between 18:30 and 21:00. I’m sure, like me you won’t regret it.
Mark
The Amazing Blue Tent travelled to Yeadon for the Leeds round of the North Region BMX Summer Series. The track was a fast one, with nothing too technical to challenge riders, the pace of the racing was high. The first berm caught many riders out, including yours truely, as 8 riders hitting a 90 degree turn with no grip causes problems.
Kyle Evans from the BC Talent Team slammed very hard but got up and left the track under his own steam. Everyone from Manchester hopes to see him fully recovered and back at Platt Fields making it look easy soon! Our own Daz Bovill was another victim of the gremlins in the first corner, going down in some style in Old School.
Darren
In 6 and Under Boys, our very own pocket rocket Harrison Drelincourt looked relaxed as ever getting 8th after a good performance at the Peterborough Nationals. Rumours that he races for Haribo Test Team are unconfirmed.
Harrison
Another victim of the crashing bug (it was a theme for the day) was our Superstar in Training Val Zebrokova. She is indestructable though and had done enough in motos to ensure another fine victory. In the 4 rounds of the series, Valerie has 4 wins. Her 200 points gives her a 14 point lead over her closest challenger in 10-12 Girls. Get her autograph now before she starts charging for it.
Valerie
Riccardo “The Rocket” Addymellor and Brandan Nolan gave it their all in 11 Boys, but coming out on top of the MCR posse was Spence McLeod with an excellent 3rd on the day.
Matthew “Mr. Smooth” Saunders was up to his customary tricks, making the racing look like another practice session. After dominating his motos he got 2nd on the day, which is enough to give him a 1 point lead in the series in 13 Boys. I think his new monochrome race kit was the secret, as he took his “factory” look seriously and showed the rest of us how it’s done.
Matthew
Jacob Roberts bagged 1st in 15 Boys, handing series leader Michael Hawker his first defeat of the series.
Josh Nicolas’ 6th place sees him in third spot for the series so far in 16 Boys.
In Masters, I managed another stunning win, which now sees me hold a 95 point lead over my closest rival in the series so far. The fact that I was the only Masters rider (as I was at Crewe) should in no way diminish the quality of my victory, testament to the superb form I’m demonstrating in leading the series in my first season. I actually raced with the 40+ Cruiser boys and they went round the track like angry grizzlies in a corridor…Manchester’s money man, Neil “Matthew’s Dad” Saunders put the hammer down and earned 6th spot on the day good enough to see him in an excellent 2nd place in the series. He’s actually in the 45+ Crowzer category, so is technically leading that by some margin.
Neil Saunders
matthewglynn.co.uk (he’s got his own domain, now that’s flash) put in another good ride in 16-29 Cruiser for 3rd on the day and second in the series. I’m not sure if Matty actually belongs to MCR but hey, we’re claiming him.
30-39 Cruiser was missing Roy “Sutty” Sutton due to injury (rest man!) but was still, as is always the case, stacked. In it for us was Andy “Dynamite” Drelincourt on his superlight steed, Neil “Hitman” Harbour fully factory on his Dialled and the BC Bullet himself, Roger Wilbraham on his 4X Beast (more than one gear? Suspension? It’s just plain wrong!). Motos packed with bumping, banging and lots of overtaking saw all three of our guys through to the final, with bragging rights in this round going to Andy in 5th, with Roger in 6th and Neil in 8th.
Roger sits in 5th place in the series, with a 5 point lead over Andy in 6th. Roy is in 8th with a 3 point lead over Neil in 9th. Stacked!
The next round is in Bradford on Sunday June 21st.
