Report from Jock Murray (CCCC rider in Div 2)
• The report was posted on CCCC forum and is aimed at CCCC patrons however still very informative
• I hope Jock doesn't mind me cutting and pasting his report
• incidentally, the CCCC Point score Jock refers to is a points system that the club has used to crown a Club Winter Track Champion, if your club is interested in the format used please email me for the details
Cheers Paul (Artson)
This is Jock was also week 1 of Jr Dev and week 1 of the Hillbrick series and week 1 of the CCCC series. Crikey! No wonder there was about a million riders there!!
Things got off to a good or bad start (depending on your personal preferences) when Crafty's beloved PA system failed to ignite and we were left with the threat of deafening silence for probably the first time ever. Of course the crowd greeted the news in true Panto style by cheering raucously. Some time later order was restored when the obstreperous PA system finally crackled to life.
Good representation by Coasties again this week with a few heading NW to Gunnedah: Millsey and myself in Div 2 with our honorary Coasty Carl Smith, Dan TBM and GT (sans Sue) in Div 3, Andrew Baker (debut) and Simon in Div 4, another honorary Costy in Richard Schuhmaker (debut) in Div 5, and Michael Hull making his debut in the novice grade despite having ridden on every other planked track in the country. It was good to see a few old mates from Newcastle down for a ride too: Dean Benedetti (ADF), Mick Rand (ADF) and Bruce Masson (HDCC).
One of the things that I've noticed over the last two weeks is the atmosphere. The whole place hums with tall stories and laughs being shared amongst friends and long-time rivals alike. And everyone gets involved in the action across all grades, with massive gasps erupting from the stands and the infield whenever there's a close call on track.
With junior development starting up we're now seeing some tiny, tiny tikes on their tiny, tiny bikes with their tiny, weeny gearing serving it up to the big boys and girls in the lower grades. They don't often win a race but they sure to capture the audience with their heroic attempts to outrun the field. It's the only thing they can do because they haven't got a hope in Hades of taking out a sprint, and they do it pretty well. The audience loves it and cheers them on for one simple reason: they're giving it a red hot go.
Jnr Devolpment hosted by Micheal FerrisWhile watching Michael Hull in the first novice grade race it was very surprising to see almost everyone travelling together at a reasonably high pace coming into the final sprint. It had to be one of the best novice fields I've seen on a Friday night and a few Div 4 and 5 riders might be looking over their shoulder in the next few weeks.
Novice grade looking like a real race In Div 5 Michael Schu had a solid first night on the boards and enjoyed every minute of it despite not figuring in the results. It seems he's just another of the growing number of poor souls who fall victim to RAW addiction.
Simon and Andrew had a quiet night in Div 4, with Andrew spending most of his race time coming to grips with the banking in close company. In the round 2 Sprint Races Simon lead the field out for what seemed like an eternity before being mown down with just 100m to go. It was a good tactic for Simon to try but he just didn't have enough when the challenge came.
Simon and Andrew (CCCC) the long and the short of it GT was spectacular in his choice of tactics in Div 3. His lack of sprint speed meant he had to resort to dirty enduro tricks to scramble for a point or two. And it paid off with some handy placings: 2nd inthe scratch race, 3rd in his sprint race. If only Sue had been there to urge him on, who knows what might have happened. Ahead of him on points though was Dan TBM. Dan won the opening scratch race, his sprint heat and finished second?? in the winner's race to launch him to the top of the CCCC pointscore and open his account well in the Hillbrick series.
Div 2 was split for the first time in 2009 and both scratch races were contested at a solid speed from go to woe. As usual Millsey was there at the pointy end of proceedings having fun in the sprint. He failed miserably (unnecessary taunt) in the sprint however, coming in second to some turtle. It was up to me to restore some pride in the CCCC colours (even though I was wearing a RAW skinsuit!). I was up against Gary Mandy, Bruce Masson, Nosh Mistry, Heapy and someone else. Damn, everyone was faster than me. Rolling out I headed for the hills, everyone stayed low and didn't cover the move. Invitation accepted, and the 730m time trial event was mine. Thankyou linesmen, thankyou ball boys. Hillbrick points secured, CCCC point in the bag.
The winner's race in Div 2 was not so good, however. In the first sprint Millsey and Gary Mandy went toe to toe. Millsey lost out and headed to the pack to recover. I sat in a nice position close to the front of the pack before launching for the second sprint with a lap and a half to go. There's a general rule of thumb in race that says you shouldn't attack from the front. But I'm not afraid of staring defeat in the face. Ivan Colig didn't mind me doing it either, and he had that sprint won when he sidled up to my shoulder coming into the final bend. Bugger! As Luck would have it Carl won the 4th sprint and waltzed away with the win to steal points from Mandy, Colig, et al. I'll sharpen a special thumbtakc for Carl, just in case it's needed!
Carl Smith leads, Andrew Mills, Scott Mills and David McMasterIn the big league there was plenty of spectacular action in all races. From the RoadRunner kids dominating the scratch race to Gavin White cleaning up in the sprint and keiren despite being 7 months pregnant, it was all good. The madison was a special treat with plenty of excellent moves and some really silly ones as well.
Gavin White doing what he does best So no points for me or Millsey in round 3, leaving Dan TBM as the leading CCCC pointscorer for the night. A special box of thumbtacks will be reserved for him in a fortnights time.
all photo's by actionsnaps
www.actionsnaps.com.au 
