Orkney Beach Race 2009
2009 2- Day Event
Sat 29th Aug saw the start of a great weekend of racing for the club and visiting riders. The newly overhauled Heddle track was looking good even if the weather wasn't, but the riders were itching to get out and experience the new jumps, tabletops and drop-offs. With signing in and scrutineering done, bacon rolls consumed and kit on, it was time for the marshals to get to their posts. It was finally time to let the bikes out on the track for the first practice of the day. Every one looked good in practice as they found the fastest way round the track and the scene was set for some exiting racing.
First to race proper were the adult riders in three qualifying races. It looked good to see so many bikes on the track with 75 riders in total for the three heats. Away next were the junior riders who handled the track with ease. Ryan Watt said the new track was really good. Craig Savage racing next in the intermediate/senior race had cut of his recognisable locks making him more streamlined and the riders were all giving it their all with an impressive show of riding skills with Thomas Robertson from Carnousty showing how its done.
The weather deteriorated to a usual Orkney weekend with horizontal rain, and bikes and riders soon became more and more difficult to identify. I didn't envy the lap recorders their jobs.
The conclusion of the days racing came with the senior grand slam. Tony Craig, last years beach race champion didn't fail to impress when he lapped all other riders. I swear if he had gone any faster he would have lapped himself! After a long days racing the muddy but happy riders headed away to prepare for the next days racing.
First six league qualifiers were:
A league: Tony Craig, Barry Gray, Allan Reid, Stuart Craigie, Ross Donaldson and Mark Garson
B league: Mitchell Brown, Robert Smith, Kenny McCloy, Gavin Johnston, Mark Sutherland and Allan Davidson
C League: David Gibbson, Craig Mackay, David Adamson, Alasdair Campbell, Lee Elrick and Davie Johnston
Seniors: Thomas Robertson, Steven Hartshorne, Ayrton Fiorenzio, Rikki Cormack, Ronny Breck and Grant Fraser.
Intermediates: Calvin Sharp, Kevin Johnston, Liam Mc Millan, Scott Smith, Ross Miller and Sam Spence.
Juniors: Bradley Sharp, Owen MacDonald, Robert Smith, Ryan Thompson, Kyle Archibald and Aiden Cursiter.
Sunday 30th arrived all to soon. Where the weather on Sat was a big let down, the sun was smiling on us today. I managed to track down a few riders to speak to but most were busy tweaking their bikes or out walking the track. Every one agreed the track was looking good even better than last year. No body was giving anything away on tactics other than go flat out off the start.
There was a good line up of 14 bikes on the line for the start of the junior's race and the beach race was ready for the off. There were a few worried faces on the parents but as every one got away well, anxiety turned to excitement as their wee boys duelled for places and that chequered flag. Bradley sharp took the hole shot and was closely followed by Owen MacDonald and by the middle of the lap it was clear that there was going to be a big battle on their hands, Owen took the lead on the turn into lap two and further down the field Willis Deans and Evan Tait were trading paint in their battle for a place. The third laps excitement was dominated by the battle between Connor Archibald, Robert Smith and Aiden Cursiter, Connor doing what was needed to stay ahead. No matter what way you were looking you were guaranteed to find a battle between somebody and by mid race Jake Flett and Ryan Thompson were knocking handlebars determined not to let the other past. The half-hour race passed in a blur and Owen MacDonald took the flag followed by Bradley Sharp then Aiden Cursiter. Well done boys.
The Senior and Intermediate race was up next with 26 bikes on the line. The Junior race obviously wasn't enough for Owen as he was there with them to give it another go. It was now our turn to look worried. These boys would be racing for an hour, so would have to fit in a pit stop for fuel and water. With the start line filled and ready, Duncan Curry set off out in front with the flag and with a quick wave they were off up the straight and into the first corner of the full size track, Grant Fraser thundered up the start straight to take the hole shot, but the rest of the pack were very close behind him. Although Grant set a blistering pace off the line, Thomas Robertson had taken the lead by lap two and the pair of them were now pulling away at an astounding pace. With all riders were giving it their all and pushing to their limits there were thankfully no major incidents. One of the highlights of the race was the amount of air that Nicholas Taylor achieved from the drop off (only surpassed by Peter Mitchell the A league later on in the day), just the landing to sort out for next time. By the middle of the race riders were starting to pit and the pack was now well spread out with the leaders lapping back markers and riders were starting to tire and the terrain was taking its toll on the bikes too The Race ended with Thomas Robertson taking the flag having done an impressive total of 36.85 miles, Ayerton Fiorenzio took second, and Grant Fraser third.
The pit area was now buzzing with activity as riders got ready for the main event. The 93 bikes headed off towards the start. Then there was quiet and you could cut the air with a knife. With a thunderous roar the ground shook and they were away on their gruelling three-hour race. It makes you dizzy just to watch everyone stream past. Tony Craig took the hole shot and led into lap two with Peter Mitchell close behind. It wasn't long before the pack was spread out all over the track, Down from the leaders Roy Watt was going strong in third place and flying the flag as Orkney's highest placed rider. Allan Clouston, Lee Elrick and Stuart Craigie were battling it out as was Brian Fraser and Mark Sutherland. Racing was fast and riders were handling the tracks off cambers, jumps and fast sections with ease. At some point Alan Clouston lost his exhaust, making him noisier than ever which is a feat in its self. With one hour gone Peter was leading, followed by Barry Gray, Alan Reid, John Mitchell and Roy Watt. Racing for the remainder of the race was exiting and all riders put on an excellent show for the public. With the three hours up and the laps tallied up all riders did themselves really proud and the eventual winner of the Rob Mitchell Memorial cup was his son, no. 91 Peter Mitchell from Aberdeen having ridden a total of 32 laps and 107.2 miles in the three hours. It was an emotional moment when he took the flag. His mother Alison wasn't the only person with a tear in her eye. Speaking to Peter after the race you could tell it was an important win for him. He really enjoyed the race and the track was really good. One lap behind him was John Mitchell and with 103.8 miles, and with 30 laps and 100.5 miles Roy watt took third for Orkney. We had a lady rider this year, Janice Davidson from Brechin who was riding for charity. Janice did exceptionally well and finished the race to a round of applause across the line.
Photos from the sunday (By J Delday)
Results for Sunday
Well it was over again for another year. Well done to everyone. Roy Watt came an impressive third for Orkney. This is the highest place ever from an Orkney rider. Well I hope your sore bits are better and your blisters healed and you are ready to race again. Many thanks go to Billy and Erland Dass for the use of the Bu Sands again, to the Riding club who kept the riders safe by marshalling the track, to all the sponsors who support our club, and to all who came to watch and encourage the riders, making the race day the success it was.
PS and TM