August 2004 Newsletter

EUROPEAN CHAMPION

We do not normally highlight one rider, but this newsletter is different, as we must send our congratulations to Chris Mapp – European Champion 2004. Like many of you, Chris, along with older brother Laurence, started their racing career at a very young age and throughout their time have been loyal members of the Royston Rockets. Both have been European Finalists before but Chris’s success this year has to be the pinnacle of his BMX career – so far! We should also mention another East Anglia Rider – Alan Hill, who also took the European Title in his Cruiser class. Whilst not a member of Royston, Alan frequently visits us on Tuesdays for a bit of practice and a long chat!

Royston Summer Regional

The first Royston round of the Regional Series this year on July 4th went really well with many club members getting involved to make the event one of – if not the best of the year. Very many thanks to all the parents, friends and riders who came along on both the Saturday to get the track ready and on Sunday for the early morning preparation and the racing followed by a very efficient strip down – for once everything went back in the caravan without running out of space!

August 15th is the date for our next round and again we will need help from club members and their families on the Saturday afternoon for track preparation (starting at 2.00pm and if you can come bring along a spade, wheelbarrow or bucket to cut the grass back along the track edges. We will also need some more white or yellow paint for the finish line). On the race day we will need all hands on deck from 9.30am – fencing to be put up, gate to be assembled, track to be checked over and a final brush. We assume most people will fulfill the same roles as for the first event but extra volunteers for Car Park / Raffle – take the money at the gate, sell the raffle tickets and organize the raffle, Track Marshall / track maintenance – 2-3 just to man two positions on the track and ensure it is kept free of stones and dust, food preparation / selling – 3-4 to man the caravan in shifts and finish line writers are always welcome.

NOTE: Due to the container boat leaving late, Phil will be at the event but this is an ideal opportunity for someone else to try running the day – it’s time for everyone to get involved!.

Summer Regional Series Dates

• Round 7 – Royston – August 15

• Round 8 – Norwich – September 5

• The East Anglian Open Championships - Braintree on September 19

NOTE: The Regional hotline is temporarily Off Line as it is looking for a new home – any volunteers?

Keep an eye on the East Anglia Website  for the latest Regional rankings.

The Rockets got off to a flying start and were laying in second place after two rounds but have slipped to third after round 4 and are only a few points ahead of the next two clubs! We need everyone from Novice to Elite to compete at as many regional races as possible to keep us up the top of the pile – it’s much nicer than being down the bottom!. Novice Riders do not need a race licence – registration closes at 1100am.

National Race Series

The next National race is at Chesterfield on 8th August – Registration and practice for all classes is on Saturday afternoon with racing on Sunday (Practice from 0830!), camping available. If you do not feel you are at National level yet, there are now Novice classes for up to 9’s, 10-13 ’s and over 14’s.

Club Summer Series

The Tuesday evening sessions continue to go well with new – and a few old faces coming along to take part. Now the air ram gate system is sorted out and settled down – it performed well at the July Regional, more time can be spent helping riders.
More volunteers are still needed to help make the drinks, sell the food and run the races – training in most things will be given but please do not wait to be asked!

Club Web Site

If you have anything for the web site please send it direct via the “contact us” function – pictures, race reports, comments about racing – what ever you like - after all it’s your club’s site! You might also wish to have a look at the East Anglia Website which has links to the other clubs in our region.

Club Clothing – Big Discounts

To encourage members and families to wear the club clothing at race meetings, big discounts on any order are being offered - why not kit out the whole family!

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