The final round of the Thursday Night Thunder Summer Race Series saw some great action as riders battled for precious points.

With classes catering for all ages, the series had some cracking action over the summer with 92 riders competing in one or more rounds.

Club races are the ideal way for new riders to get valuable experience in BMX racing; with low entry fees and the benefits of using the same track, riders can build skills and confidence to enable them to be ready to face the next step up, which is Regional competition.

Manchester’s TNT series has seen many riders coming from our Youth Club to compete and performing well. Sabian Brown has been a real star this year, rising from newcomer to the sport to one to watch for the future, as he took the series win in 11-15 Boys, the largest class with 24 riders. Matthew Saunders did very well grabbing 2nd overall, as 5 results from the 6 races counted and he only rode 4 rounds! In third was another newcomer to the club, Nathan Slamon. He’s improving every week and is another who will hopefully step up to Regional racing. Spence McLeod and Riccardo Addymellor were 4th and 5th respectively, both are talented riders and have already got experience battling it out at Regionals. We hope to see them qualifying for the Brits next year.

With 12 riders doing at least one round in 8 and Unders, the grassroots level of racing is growing. The TNT series saw three friends taking each other on for the title; Harvey Howard took the overall, with Matthew Gilston and our own Harrison Drelincourt 2nd and 3rd. Look for these three amigos to be racing together for many years to come!

Elena Stafford took the honours in 11 and Under Girls, racing in with the boys and often beating them! Likewise Valerie Zebrokova had little company to challenge her in 11+ Girls, so she raced the boys and got some great experience throwing elbows with her clubmates.

9-10 Boys has seen more Youth Club riders step up, with Ellis Burgess displying power beyond what his years might suggest to take the overall title. Callum McDonald rode well to take 2nd, with Haroon Aljeddal an excellent 3rd despite riding just 3 rounds. Another rider to watch out for is Remy Culpepper, yet another newcomer who got 3rd in the final round. 16+ Novice welcomed Andrew Thornton and Josh Mayhew, who are both promising riders we hope to see doing more club races this winter.

25+ saw some fierce racing, with newcomers and experienced riders going elbow to elbow. Ross Gill, in his first year racing after honing his skills as a park rider, took the overall title and bought friends Rob Evans and Joe Davenport to the club, with Rob 6th overall and Joe taking a win in the final round to seal 4th overall. I got myself round enough times for 2nd overall, with Tim Williams demonstrating to the Youth Club riders he coaches that he actually knows what he’s talking about by getting 3rd overall.

In Cruiser, matthewglynn.co.uk took the overall win, with some great riding throughout the series. Mark Ferguson took an excellent 2nd overall, with Neil “Hitman” Harbour 3rd. John Hewitt looked in control as he stormed to a win aboard his MTB in the final round, let’s hope he sees the light and invests in a BMX!

16+ was graced with some of the best riders in the UK taking part this summer, who can complain when a club series attracts British Cycling Talent Team riders, National Champions and Elite riders? The final round saw Cal Strickland and Kyle Evans go head to head, with Kyle taking the glory, as he did in the overall series. In second was Michael Hawker, two spots higher than his older brother Rob in 4th. Between them was Adam Smith, who makes the trip from North of Durham to ride at Manchester.

A big thank you to;

Abi Taylor for her hard work registering all the riders and performing finish line duties

Nicky Hawker and Tina Strickland for finish line duties and bringing their sons to race!

Neil Saunders for start duties

Pete Taylor for pens and compiling results

Roger Wilbraham for commentary

All the parents who bring their riders to Manchester to take part!

The riders, we look forward to seeing you in the Saturday Slam Winter Series!

Congratulations again to Jacob Roberts, who now adds the 2009 British Championship to the National title he wrapped up in Bournemouth.

Jacob’s success is remarkable as it is now the third year in a row that he has done the double!

We are also delighted to report that Manchester was voted the Best National of 2009!

In a fantastic weekend at Cheddar, Jacob’s success was part of a great time enjoyed by the Manchester club and the North Region. In addition to Manchester’s National recognition, the North Region won the Best Region award on Sunday, with 10 British Champions hailing from the Region.

Valerie Zebrokova got an excellent 2nd in 10-12 girls, which was one of the largest classes with 39 riders. Matthew Saunders made the final in 13 Boys, and his dad Neil made the final in 45+ Cruiser. Neil Harbour just missed out on the final in 30-39 Cruiser, with 5th in his semi. It was a super stacked class, the largest on the day with 41 riders. Andy Drelincourt had a nasty crash that ruined his chances of progressing.

Matty Glynn wore Union Jack race pants that certainly made him easy to spot in 16-29 Cruiser, but he hade a tough day at the track and din’t make the final. Josh Nicholas in 19+ gave it everything, but was another Manchester rider who didn’t make the cut.

Everyone had a fantastic time, with next season seeming too far away! Roll on October 11th and the first Winter Regional!

The National Series came to an end over the August bank holiday weekend in Bournemouth, with several Manchester BMX riders in attendance to battle it out for their place in the final standings.

Jacob Roberts blew away the competition and secured the 2009 National Championship in 13-14 Boys. Jake’s achievement is down to the hard work he’s consistently put in, as well as his sheer talent, and the support he’s had from Diane and Roy (always ready to fix a wheel or more!)

Val Zebrokova was in new colours, having been picked up by Redline for 2010. She secured 3rd spot overall in 10-12 Girls at Bournemouth, so congratulations are in order, as in 1 full year of racing, Valerie has gone from beginner to one of the best in the country and a sponsored rider!

matthewglynn.co.uk had a great outing, fighting hard all weekend to get a fantastic 7th place overall in 16-29 Cruiser.

Andy Drelincourt was still battered from his super hard slam at the Northern Club Champs in Hartlepool, so just missed A Final places both days. He made up for it by winning both the B Finals by a mile. Dreli ended up with a great 12th place overall in 30-39 Cruiser.  Neil “Hitman” Harbour didn’t make the trip so he could let his injured wrist heal, and ended in 11th overall.

Josh “Peebz” Nicholas battled it out in the tough 19+ class and came away from Bournemouth in 25th overall for the Series. I made my first National Semi on the Saturday and took home 21st spot overall in Masters.

With the Nats done for the year, everyone’s attention moves to the British BMX Championships on September 19th and 20th. Held in Cheddar on the super fast downhill track, these will be raced in Regions, so the MCR riders will don the Black of the North. The Brits is the biggest event in the domestic BMX calendar, like a Regional round, only much much bigger. Every club in the UK will be in attendance, with more riders than there are at National races.

No points up for grabs, no series to fight for, just win on the day or go home with nothing…..

Jacob wrapped up the National Title at the final rounds of the National BMX Series in Bournemouth over bank holiday weekend.

Congratualtions to Jake for the victory, a result of hard work, talent and great support from Diane and Roy. The first National Title for Manchester BMX!