Thursday Night Thunder
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!