Press Office

Summer Series Round 1 - 24th April 2005  

The Royston Rockets BMX Racing Club were competing in the opening event of the 2005 Summer Series at Milton Keynes last Sunday and for the first time in many years this was an Inter Regional event which included a round of the South Region Series. The two regions put together almost 240 riders, which ensured full gates and very competitive racing on the very fast but sometimes slippery track – the dry weather ensuring everyone had a good time.

 This event used the new age group categories, which has reduced the number of classes but made each one more competitive. The 7-8 year class saw Royston youngest rider, Ethan Lewis battling against riders up to two years older but he kept his form and recorded a good win in the “B” final. In the 9-10 Male class all three Royston members made the main final with James Handleigh leading the race from the gate for an excellent win with team mates Zach Stevens not far behind in third and one of the youngest riders in the class, Kyle Gutteridge taking a fine 8^th place in the class. In the 11-12 Male class, seventh place in the B Final went to Anthony Taylor whilst Ben Gutteridge went one place better in 6^th. In the 13-14 Male class, Royston’s only rider, Wayne Gutteridge took third in the B Final whilst Royston’s two representatives in the 17+ class had varying fortunes with Shaun Doherty taking a spill in his second qualifying race to end his days racing whilst Ashley Seaton came out of winter hibernation to claim 6^th in the “B” final. Another rider out for the first time this year was Stuart Butler Smith who took 5^th in the 30+ “B” final and in the very competitive Master Class category, Chris Mapp grabbed third on the line with team mate Richard Townsend just behind in 6^th in the class A Final whilst Laurence Mapp had a disastrous day by his high standards after sliding out early in the qualifying races.    

The Club members move onto Burnham on Sea this weekend for the first round of the National Series before returning to do battle with the South Region in the return match at Hayes later in May.

 The Royston club’s track in Burns Road is undergoing so major improvements but club evenings will be starting from May 3^rd whilst the rebuild continues. 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.