The end of the FNWTR season is drawing near. In fact, next week is the last week for 2007. Once again, this week was a crucial night for the riders at the top end of the series point score. Point score aside the night was one of the best ever on its own merit.
The huge feature race of the night was the final round of the Hillbrick series. The final race saw the top 10 of the series line up in a do or die 1km handicap. The winner would take home a Hillbrick – Ryan Bayley signature Track bike value =$950.
One rider, Jason Roberts, lined up on the scratch mark, giving away a massive 145m to Ray Gorrell. Ray started firmly and took an early lead. He turned around after the first lap and realised that he had gapped the other three div 4 riders. This determined the rabbit for the race as Ray continued out in front.
Jason Roberts had made a brilliant start, and caught the div 2 riders quickly weaving his way through the group however, he only passed three of them.
One of the Div 2’s had flown the coup. Garry Mandy had possibly the best start of his career and had joined Ian Aitkins in the chase down of Ray Gorrell. With the scratch markers seemingly out of it, all eyes turned to Ray who was still well clear of the div 4 chase group and the chasing duo of Gary and Ian.
As Ray received the bell, Ian and Garry made contact with the chasing three of Kierin, Emma and Phillip. With half a lap to go Ray was swallowed by the group who had fanned out across the track four high. Coming into bank three it was Kierin Heffernan on the inside with Phillip Mullany on his hip. Ian Aitkin and Garry Mandy were left no option but to go high and we were treated to a four up drag race.
Kierin came into the finishing straight first however Garry, who was about 2m back, had the roll off the bank and came around the quartet to take the victory. Garry didn’t hold back the emotion punching a fist in the air and screaming simultaneously.
Paul Hillbrick from Hillbrick racing was on hand to make the presentation of the track bike to Garry who indicated he will be giving it to his club as a development bike. Hillbrick spoke of the great qualities of the entry level track bike and of how proud he was to be involved in the FNWTR serries.
Paul then presented the minor place getters with their prizes and invited all FNWTR patrons to come along to cheer on the riders at next weekend’s Goulburn to Citi Classic. Paul has been a driving force in the running of this upcoming event.
Round 3’s racing was a brilliant conception of a handicap race over 500m whereby riders would start at the top or the bottom of the track.
Amazingly this resulted in very close racing in almost every heat. Every heat, except for Shaun Hopkins’. Shaun has just come off a world Championships campaign and is in sterling form. He annihilated the riders in his heat (and so he should).
Round 4 on Friday was a weird one, with the annual running of the Poker race. In this event riders win a card upon winning a sprint. If they win a second sprint they earn another card to add to their hand.
The winner of this race is the rider with the highest card. This race is won on ability, tactics and LUCK (but remember you make your own luck).
No more was the luck element more evident than in the Division one event. In this event Jackson Law went out hard early winning two sprints and this gave him a high card of the 10 of clubs. Shortly after Jason Roberts launched his sprint on laps 6 and 7 and took the lead with the Jack of Diamonds.
Stewart Campbell won the next two laps receiving a two and three of clubs (suffer). On the final sprint Jason watched intently to see if his Jack would hold up. Mitchell Stock won the final sprint receiving a Queen of Hearts and was declared the winner.
Next week is truly one not to miss. The final night of the series is always a great night for riders and spectators alike. The Red Bull energizer girls will be in attendance to ensure everyone has extra wings.
The racing will have extra importance as the riders will be vying for their final position on the series ladder. The music video along with the final presentation will put the icing on the cake. Added to all this every spectator will have the opportunity to win a Schwinn stingray bike. Don’t read about it, be there. Spectator entry is free.
Cheers Paul
Pointscore is on the website http://home.vtown.com.au/~pcraft/
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