OK folks, unfortunately due to the prolonged bad weather the committee have made a decision to cancel this Saturdays Club race meeting. We made an inspection of the track last night and the entire track is still covered in sheet ice and extremely doubtful whether it will thaw before Saturday.

We will however endeavour to run gate practice or some kind of session between 3pm and 6pm on Saturday. Hope to see all riders there on Saturday especially all those bound for Belgium next week.

On January 23rd and 24th, a group of Manchester riders will be competing at indoor races in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Cal Strickland, Pete Hosker, Andy Drelincourt, Roger Wilbraham Valerie Zebrokova and Rooster will be making the trip with up to 100 other British riders to take on the best Belgian riders and French and Dutch racers too.

The Kortrijk race is just one of several indoor races that take part each winter, giving riders the chance to compete when the weather has shut down outdoor tracks.

A report and pics will follow!

In the first of a series of profiles on Manchester BMX Club riders and their bikes, we meet Ross Gill;

Ross Gill

Age; 26

Race category; 25-29 20”

How long have you been racing? 6 Months.

How did you get started? I needed a break from park riding, being the son of a racing driver I’ve always had a competitive edge but didn’t realize it was so easy to get involved in racing.

I also have to say thanks to my Girlfriend Angela for giving me a kick-start and telling me that I need to stop worrying about my tail-whips and make a go of it.

What has been your best memory from racing? Best memory so far from racing? Seeing as I only have very limited experience so far it’s not a straight forward question to answer. I’ve had some ok results; winning a moto at Preston and taking 2nd in the B Final that day, but my aim is to make A Finals consistently.

Which racers do you admire? Shaun Palmer; probably the best all round action sportsman ever! He said no to lycra skin suits in the 90’s, turning up on a hammerited Intense with jeans and a t-shirt on and smokes everyone.  Valentino Rossi; greatest of all time Laguna seca 2008 the corkscrew Nuf said! Steve McQueen ”Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” David Gill (my dad) raced karts and rode observed trials in the 70’s and 80’s and showed me that bikes and racing were cool. Finally Manchester’s Rooster for his constant optimism it’s dangerously contagious

What are your racing aims? Compete at Regional level and National level and podium at a national within 4 years

What has been the best advice you’ve been given in racing? All of the advice I have been given has been good advice probably everything MatthewGlynn.co.uk has told me so far and the immortal words of Joe Davenport;  “GET YOUR KNEE DOWN AND BLEEDIN’ HAVE IT!!!”

What advice would you give to riders new to racing? Get a bike get on the track and ride you’ll have fun and who knows you might surprise yourself and be faster than you think

The Rig

Although the pic shows a slightly earlier incarnation of the bike, you can see Ross demonstrating his skills!

Frame: S&M .38 Special 21″ TT

Forks: Primo Kamikaze

Wheels: Rear - Profile Hub (Ti driver) Sun Envy Rim, Double Butted spokes. Front - Demolition Anorexia Hub, Demolition Zero Rim, Double Butted spokes.

Bars: S&M Race XLT

Pedals: Easton Flatboy

Cranks: Profile

Gearing: 37/14

Stem: Thomson

The weather is making skis more appropriate than tyres at the moment so getting out and riding isn’t possible. The track will probably be closed for a while. We’ll keep you posted!