Week 5 report.
Scratch Races Andrew Mills and Michael Smith worked great with each other in Div 2 taking a 1-2 in the warm up scratch. Smithy led out from a long way, with Millsy sitting on his wheel. Millsy was content to sit on the wheel, ready to go around if anyone should challenge the lead, no one had the speed or strength and the boys got the 1-2.
I was the lone Coastie in Div 4, and picked up 4th. After last weeks gentle welcome to RAW in Div 5, it was interesting mixing it in with 15 or so riders.
Win'n'Out The Div 2 riders again showed how to ride 'together'. Smithy led it out once the boys had settled into the race and Millsy went around him to take first place.
Heat 2 of Div 4 saw me miss first by the width of a tyre after I hesitated just a fraction on the final bend. I decided to keep going and not wait for the bunch and took out second.
Mystery Lapper Div 2 was a great race to watch, with the guy who took it out going hard early. The gap he took was enough to put the rest of Div 2 in trouble chasing him, and he looked to be away when the bell rang. Millsy had taken charge of the chase with Smithy on his wheel for what seemed like 5 laps. I'm sure it wasn't quite so many, though I bet Millsy would back me up. Millsy blew as the bell went, and the race looked to be gone. Smithy never gave up, chasing hard, and missed the win over a tiring leader by inches.
Heat 2 of Div 4 saw me in my first Mystery Lapper. Richard Pettigrew had offered advice which made perfect sense... Attack on the lap you think the bell will ring!
Lap 10 saw me on the front, so I had a go hoping to be able to hold the bunch off until the bell tolls... I gained a small gap, one I thought would be enough to hold them off if the bell went, as laps went by. 11.... 12... 13.... 14... I swung up and waited to tack onto the back of 2 riders coming through. I hoped I would be able to recover enough for the sprint if the bell went. 15... 16... On lap 17 the guys in front started to try some tactics, and slowed. Coming onto the home straight they slowed too much for my liking so I jumped out of the saddle and took off... The bell rang as I went over the line and the gap I had gained was enough to take the win.
A few of the guys had a go in the combines with Richard Pettigrew (I think) returning the best result for the Coasties in 4th. Maybe if he a clean bike he would have been able to slice through the air a touch faster and take 3rd!
The Time Blaster was the final event of the night with the Div 1 and Div 2 riders taking the cash away.
Another night of great racing from Paul...
