October 13, 2006 – How do you define fast? One of the easiest way is to assemble some of the fastest track specialists around and put them on the boards in Burnaby. Yell “Roll out” and let them go! That was the way it happened last night. With most of the national team and team hopefuls in attendance things got off to a very fast start. With the likes of Matt Barlee, Keith Bruneau, Mike McCorkel, Cam McKinnon, Matt Chater and Gina Grain and some “locals” on the rail the racing just had to be fast.

Two races for each group starting with a scratch followed by a points race. Thirteen A’s and twelve B/C’s took to the track for the first of ten evenings of racing. With riders counting the best eight of there best ten evenings organizers were expecting a slower gradual start to the indoor racing season.

Clearly this was not the case!

First to line up were the B/C’s . There was no lack of aggression as they rolled out for a short 30 lap scratch race. Action picked up early as up and comer Mike (my bike is too small again) Rothengather decided to go off the front early and make everyone pay.

The group soon caught back on and managed a well organized last couple of laps to a gentlemanly finish! First race for the A group 40 quick laps. Right from the bell the sprinters pushed the pace very hard. Unfortunately not hard or far enough. Less than half way into the race Matt Chater and Cody (just try to make me hurt) Campbell took off, worked together and lap the field. I would suggest writing the name “Cody” down as he is only 16 years old and can only have a bright future in this sport.

Some riders decided to save themselves for the next race and headed to the infield for a rest as the pace was relentless. Andy George (BVC El President)was overheard saying “we were doing 50 km and these two just went right by us!” Top three were Cody Campbell, Matt Chater and Murray Solem.

The next B/C race was a 30 lap points with sprints every 6 laps. No real rest in a race like this. The group stayed together and once again had a very orderly (read easy to score) race. Stewart, Nick (I’m only a courier),Tobin Copley, Mike and Doug Prescot rounded out the top 5.

Once again the A’s lined up for the 36 lap points with sprints every 6 laps. In classic Keith style he won the first sprint and then let the younger guys battle it out. No one managed to lap the field this time but the pace was very fast with riders lapping in less then 14 seconds. After the dust settled Scott Lalaliberte came out on top with Chater, Mike (iron man) McCorkel, Cody and Jeff (it’s pronounced with a P) Ain rounding out the top 5 spots.

A couple of Honourable mentions for the night. Lori-Ann Muenzer dropped by to say hello to the racers. Nice to see an Olympic medallist hanging out for the evening. Gina Grain fresh off a very successful season riding a new bike with a reflector on the back wheel. That’s correct right off the old three speed. Apparently her aerobars with the bar end tassels will be here next week. Last but not least Keith riding with a spare tire in his hand and passing it around his body and bike while riding in the infield.

Next week two more races for all categories.
First BVC Race Series weekend Nov 11-13.

See you on the boards