North Shropshire Wheelers 25.

Torrential rain may have affected the turnout, but it didn’t affect the quality of performances on show in Round 14 of the Friction Hydraulics Series at Prees, with sub-hour times and personal bests recorded in a chilly North Shropshire Wheelers 25. Riders brave enough to endure a thorough soaking clearly demonstrated one of the truisms of time trialling – that heavy rain can allow easy passage through the air – although County winner Dan Watts seemed to belie that and didn’t have an easy time for the win.

Watts has finished top of the pile in three rounds and runner-up in two, but had to work hard for his 55 minute 9 second time with the cold almost getting the better of him. He explained: “I was glad to come away with the County win in the end after a tough day out on the course. I never felt like I found a good rhythm and suffered in the cold weather. Huge kudos to the North Shropshire Wheelers’ marshals and time keepers for standing out in the rain“.

If Watts suffered for the points that wasn’t the case for Richard Kay, who took the honours for the promoting club with a personal best time of 56 minutes exactly. Kay wasn’t finished there either, taking the same runner-up spot in the Veteran’s Championship and entering the Top 10 as a result. The North Shropshire Wheeler was delighted with his morning’s work, stating: “A personal best – I need to ride in the rain more often! Great riding by Dan as always. Great rides by everyone in those conditions to be honest, and many thanks to my club for organising the event and looking after us all“.

Kay wasn’t the only rider setting a personal best effort with Alex Leek also fired up to make it to the finish line as quickly as possible – and taking third spot in 57:04, just two seconds ahead of Nova Raiders’ Tim Beardmore. Leek moved up to fifth in the Overall standings. He revealed: “I’m happy with third County rider on a tough morning – it was a course personal best for me. I think the bad weather helped a bit, spurring me on to get it over with! Well done to Dan and Rich for first and second, and thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for running the event – and the timekeepers and marshals for braving the weather so we could race“.

Beardmore had the consolation of finishing third Veteran and is finishing the season strongly thanks to a delayed start due to injury. He ended his morning on +10:09, 30 seconds behind Kay, helping his club to extend their lead further in the Top Club Award standings – and was another rider surprised by his time: “I was hoping to beat the rain but it didn’t quite work out. I felt good throughout the race and tried to ignore the weather. I’m very pleased with my time, especially given the conditions. Massive thanks to all at North Shropshire Wheelers for marshalling in such awful conditions. Well done all who raced“.

Meanwhile Beardmore’s team mate Deb Hutson-Lumb continues her champagne form, taking wins in both the Friction Women’s event as well as doubling that up with the Veteran’s win too. Hutson-Lumb posted an excellent effort of 1:02:53, a huge margin of 5:37 ahead of Women’s Series leader Jenny York. This translated to a fine Veteran’s Standard of +11:16, moving her up to the Bronze medal position in this Championship. She stated: “I was pleased and surprised with my result having, due to the conditions, decided to use the ride to practice my pacing for the upcoming Chester RC 50 back at Prees.  No hammering off from the start and, as it was a ‘bit wet’, some very, very cautious cornering and pulling away from the roundabouts. Considering I improved on the times I’ve done on the fast Berriew 25 course on lovely warm days there is definitely something for me to learn from this event! It’s the first time I’ve ridden the course and I’d love to do it again. Kudos to everyone who turned up and rode – in particular the later riders who got the brunt of the bad weather.  However, mega kudos has to go to all the marshals, time keepers, and everyone else involved in the smooth running of the event on such a grim cold day. Thank you guys“!

One rider who didn’t enjoy his morning’s soaking was an already distinctly under-the-weather Henri Bedford, who took the maximum 60 points on offer in the Friction Junior Series to move up to the Silver medal position. The Revolutions Racing youngster stopped the watch on 1:08:11, well down on his season’s best of 1:02:27. He stated: “A disappointing time. I’m still struggling with energy levels and pace after a bout of sickness. I was grateful to complete another different course. Fantastic commitment from all the volunteers and marshals on staging the event in such poor weather. Well done and a big thank you to all“.

Result

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 14

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 55:09 60
2 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 56:00 55
3 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 57:04 50
4 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V 57:06 45
5 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 57:10 40
6 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V 58:00 35
7 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 1:00:10 30
8 Andrew Clarke Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 1:01:24 25
9 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:02:10 20
10 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 1:02:53 15
11 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:03:09 10
12 Philip Gardner Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 1:03:14 5
13 Andy Maxwell Nova Raiders S 1:03:20 5
14 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers S 1:04:45 5
15 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 1:07:31 5
16 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:08:03 5
17 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 1:08:11 5
18 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 1:08:30 5
19 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member W 1:09:08 5
20 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:09:27 5
21 Colin Lythe Oswestry Paragon CC V 1:09:38 5
22 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 1:09:39 5
23 Amrico Atwal North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:09:52 5
24 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:10:14 5
25 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 1:12:43 5
26 Jason Davis Paramount CRT V 1:12:59 5
27 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:24:18 5
Bryn Davies Hafren CC V DNS-A
Helene Belmans North Shropshire Wheelers S DNS-A
Richard Berry North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A
Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V DNS
Tony Harvey Mid Shropshire Wheelers V DNS
Milly Deer North Shropshire Wheelers W DNS
Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS
Dean Dovey Nova Raiders V DNS
Tom Richardson Oswestry Paragon CC S DNS
Allan Henderson Wrekinsport CC S DNS
David Gostelow Wrekinsport CC V DNS

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 14

Vet Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vet Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV +11:16 60
2 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V +10:39 55
3 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V +10:09 50
4 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V +10:01 45
5 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V +09:38 40
6 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V +09:15 35
7 Andrew Clarke Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +08:40 30
8 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV +07:31 25
9 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V +05:52 20
10 Philip Gardner Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +04:48 15
11 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +03:48 10
12 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +03:45 5
13 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V +03:05 5
14 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V -01:09 5
15 Amrico Atwal North Shropshire Wheelers V -01:38 5
16 Colin Lythe Oswestry Paragon CC V -01:48 5
17 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V -02:54 5
18 Jason Davis Paramount CRT V -05:21 5
19 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V -17:15 5

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 14

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 1:02:53 60
2 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 1:08:30 55
3 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member W 1:09:08 50
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:09:27 45
Milly Deer North Shropshire Wheelers W DNS
Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 14 

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 1:08:11 60

 Top Club Award – Round 14

Pos’n Club Points
1 Nova Raiders 135
2 North Shropshire Wheelers 110
3 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45
4 Wrekinsport CC 40
5 Oswestry Paragon CC 10
=6 Paramount CRT 5
=6 Revolutions Racing 5

 Cumulative Standings after fourteen rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 540
2 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 525
3 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 445
4 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 380
5 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 300
6 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V 295
7 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 290
8 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 200
9 Kirk Vickers SCCA Private Member S 195
=10 Matt Garthwaite SCCA Private Member S 180
=10 William Baugh Ludlow CC V 180

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Vets Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 595
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC 495
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 350
4 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 340
5 William Baugh Ludlow CC 285
6 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member 280
7 Dave Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers 275
8 Andy Rose Nova Raiders 210
9 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers 205
10 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers 200

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 585
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 500
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 380
4 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders 375
5 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders 350
6 Juliet Suddaby Mid Shropshire Wheelers 215
7 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 165
8 Sarah Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers 125
=9 Hetty Niblett Mid Shropshire Wheelers 120
=9 Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC 120

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Kieran Morris Oswestry Paragon CC 300
2 Henri Bedford Mid Shropshire Wheelers 200
3 Sam Holwill Hafren CC 165
4 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers 130
5 William Hints Ludlow Brewery RT 115
6 Ronnie Tse Mid Shropshire Wheelers 55
7 Ben Pierce Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45
8 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45
9 Daniel Morris Wrekinsport CC 40
10 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers 30

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Nova Raiders 1605
2 Hafren CC 1215
3 North Shropshire Wheelers 535
4 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 505
5 Wrekinsport CC 485
6 Oswestry Paragon CC 380
7 Ludlow Brewery RT 335
8 Revolutions Racing 270
9 Ludlow CC 195
10 Paramount CRT 105
11 Clee Cycles 40
12 Newport Shropshire CC 30
13 Evolve 5

 

  • With the unusual situation of no medals yet settled it’s all to play for in Rounds 15 and 16, which conclude the Series in a double-header weekend on 15th and 16th September. The Saturday sees Nova Raiders promote their 10 mile event on the sporting Cherrington – Newport course; whilst on Sunday it’s the re-arranged SCCA & WCTTCA 30 starting at Waters Upton and taking in Market Drayton and Shawbirch before finishing at Crudgington. Both events close for entry on 4th September.