Wangaratta 2011

30 December 2011

Bit late, sorry, but better late than never.

Victorian Christmas Carnivals wrapped up in Wangaratta this year.  As noted yesterday, it is a big track- 500m, and fairly flat, but also fairly fast. (Sorry no photos- no one got a decent one, if you find a post from racing at Wagga, that is what the Wang track looks like.)

Unfortunately, my top end speed decided it was time to get ready for New Year's and stayed in the back of the car.  Of course this meant I could only manage minor places, or that place just off the podium in just about every race!  Is there anything more frustrating?!

It may not have helped my cause that their seemed to be a bit of a sprinters flavour to the program!  Including horror of horrors, yet another keirin, followed by a second impromptu one at the end of the night instead of a longer race!  3 keirins for me in 2 days, what has the world come to!

Regardless of my above moaning, the night was still a lot of fun.  Especially the informal "betting ring" between Dad and Matt, which seemed to be purely based on bike colour or skinsuit design!

Despite not being able to win a wheelrace to save myself, the 4 days were a blast and there was a wad of cash in my wallet for the trip home!

Big thanks to my fam' for the beds to crash in between races and for coming to the races too (that includes you too L & J!). And good job to super soigny, mechanic and chauffeur, Dr Matt! 

Shepparton 2011

29 December 2011

The Shepparton track is what I imagine the Narrabundah track is meant to be like.  It is 333m, concrete but unlike 'BundaDome it is relatively smooth and sedate. It does also share the same wind though it seemed!!

There was a big program of racing for the A grade girls on the night- 6 races to get through.  The first 3 were largely for the sprinters, including an invitational keirin.  Having never raced a keirin before I was grateful for the hot tips from Danny's sister Bec, who jumped in to hold me for the start.  They didn't do me much good, although I did manage a 4th.

The early part of the night was a reminder of a couple of things- 1) I am definitely an enduro- short races really aren't my thing and 2) indecision is a kind of Darwininsm on the track! Much of the night was spent 1 position out of the money, until the races got longer.  I was pretty happy to finish 2nd in the Omnium Points Score and in the Victorian 5km Championship.  (This Omnium is made up of an event at each of the Christmas Carnivals, with points allocated for 1st to 4th, winner is the won with the most points, I think I am in 3rd overall after tonight).

Well done to Shannon McCurley who got me on the line to take the win and to Ruby who picked up third

There is one day of racing to go in Wangaratta.  Apparently the track there is 500m!  But that is offset by the claim that it is the fastest flat track in Australia!

Horsham 2011

27 December 2011

Xmas carnivals 2011 in Victoria got underway in Horsham. Despite the headwind in the back straight I can't complain about a win and some minor placing for the day!

Like all good Xmas carnivals there is always the long transfer at the end of the day. At least we had the cracking sunset to watch as it was on to Bendigo!