Press Office

National Series Round 2 - 29th May 2005  

The Royston Rockets BMX Racing Club were competing in the 2005 National Series at the Mid Lancs. BMX Club Track in Chorley last Sunday and once again the entry was very high with almost 400 riders taking part, which ensured full gates and very competitive racing on the very fast but sometimes slippery track – and the weather threatened for most of the weekend but what rain there was did not affect the riders or spectators and the finals on Sunday afternoon were held in bright sunshine.

 The 7-year class saw Royston youngest rider, Ethan Lewis battling against riders from across the country but he was undaunted by the demanding track and recorded an excellent 7th in the main “A” final. In the 9-year class both Royston members made the finals with James Handleigh finishing in a well-earned 5th in the “A” final with team-mate Zach Stevens grabbing 3rd place in the class “B” final, whilst Royston’s sole representatives in the 40+ Cruiser class, Leroy Seaton, rode well after a long layoff to also take 3rd in the “B” final.

In the Elite Class category, Laurence Mapp took 8th in the main “A” final with younger brother Chris grabbing another 3rd on the line in the “B” final with team-mate Richard Townsend having a bad day after getting involved in another riders accident early in the last qualifying race, which resulted in injuries that made riding the big jumps very difficult so he had to settle for 6th in the “B” final. A new class for 2005 is the 16 Plus Pro-Am which saw both Richard Townsend and Chris Mapp exiting the competition in the qualifying rounds whilst Laurence Mapp made it through to the main Final where he finished in 5th.   

 Next weekend the Royston Club members will be having a rest and the following week will be back on the national trail for round 3 at the Peterborough BMX club track.

 The major improvements to the Royston club’s own track in Burns Road are almost complete with the new surface being laid this week – weather permitting so club evenings, which started in mid May will soon move into full swing. Further details of forthcoming club and regional events are published on the club web site at www.roystonrockets.co.uk, or ring 01763 260959 for more information on BMX racing.