Race Report – Rockabilly Racing’s 2010-2011 Indoor 4x #2 Abbotsford BC

Sub-Freezing temps couldn’t hold these Race-Heads back as another 65 riders showed to do battle on Tuesday night at the Abbotsford Agrifair.

When registration opened on Tuesday night, the temperature outside was -6 degrees Celsius. Which as it turns out is pretty dang cold to be out racing bikes. But the temperature inside the Abbotsford Agrifair heated up nicely as riders tore around the track while warming up for the 2nd race in the 6-race series. Abbotsford BMX's maintenance of the track has been amazing, and the traffic on the track so far has formed it into a smooth, quick, and really fun track to ride.

Results and recap inside,A few new riders built up the existing classes, while other classes were combined which resulted in really great racing in the Pro/Vet Pro class and the Pro/Open Women's class. Vitamin Water was on hand with free Multi-X Lemonade for all riders, and Sponsors Kona Bikes & Chromag drew a few toques, hats & hoodies to keep the draw prize winners toasty between motos. Points are starting to add up in the series, and the overall leaderboard is now online!

The series also received a new Sponsor and Lensman with the arrival of Clayton Racicot. Clayton snapped up a ton of pics of the riders and are now posted in his Gallery. Check out the gallery and if you see yourself on the track, contact Clayton for the ultimate Christmas gift for your Grandma. I guarantee she probably won't recognize you.


In U13, The three-way battle between Aidan MacDonald, Travis Reginer, and Michael Meade raged for another race with Travis taking this week's win over Nov 16th winner, Aidan MacDonald. Meade takes third, and holds the 3rd spot overall behind MacDonald and Reginer's 1st place tie in the series.

In U15, Darien Landers bounced back from a disappointing Nov 16th 4th place finish to take the win over Jesse McLeod. McLeod keeps his hold on the overall lead, but Landers is now right behind him with only 2 points to take over the #1 spot. Jesse McLeod's smooth riding just may be what he needs to hang onto that #1 spot. But look for the rest of the field to have something to say about that. Cole Bernier, Daniel Crane, and Carson Price all look like they may have some strong placings ahead of them. This top-5 could get shuffled a few more times throughout the series.


In Junior, Kyle Murphy showed speed that rivaled some of the 4x Lite's motos. Too bad he's still too young to bump up. Murphy takes 1st just ahead of Leapin' Liam Wallace and the powerful riding of Carson Jordan. North Shore Bike Shop's Cole Swanson, who was murdering the jumps during practice, took a spill in the main and ended up 4th for the night. Look for a little retribution when the series resumes Jan 18th 2011.

In Vet Open Men, Andrew Ewart took the win over the Chairman-of-the-Board Steve Baxter, and Travis Petersen. Paul Pinnempede takes 4th with Kim Knowles right behind him in 5th. This left a 3-way tie for the 3rd spot on the leaderboard. If you're over 35 and want to try 4x racing, come on out and take these guys on. The more riders, means more racing!


In Open Men, Tyler Shmyr's going undefeated in first place, but the next 5-6 riders on the leaderboard are looking really strong and will be chasing Shmyr down through every moto. Skiis & Biikes' Glenn Franks took 2nd on the night and jumped to 2nd overall in the series, with Nick Tingren, Sean Best, & Bob Jones hanging out in the top 5.


In 4x Lites, Everyone thought the race was over when #1 rider Bart Brown snapped a crank off the gate. Yes. He snapped his crank. Not the chain. ...It was awesome. But Bart borrowed a bike and slipped on a pair of flat soled shoes, jammed his way through the semi's and into the main when he literally went elbow to elbow with Pipeline/Rockabilly vet Jordan Timmer. Timmer's riding has grown huge in the past few years, but couldn't hold back Brown as he tore across the finish just ahead of Timmer, Wylie Easton & Bellingham WA's RD Watters.


In the Women's class, FOUR classes came together for some great racing. One U15 rider, One Junior, Five Opens and Two Pros got the full race experience as they battled over 3 qualifiers, a consolation round and a main event. Although they were combined, overall points are always applied on where the rider finished in their respective class. So if you think you came 4thth, make sure you check the leaderboard to see how you finished overall. Last week's Open Winner, Beatrice Jakob was upset by her runner up Crystal Lambert and Tuesday Night's winner Paula Armstrong. Jakob holds a 1pt lead on the Open Series just ahead of Lambert. But look for Paula Armstrong to continue riding strong in this great class.

If you're interested in racing 4x, and want to try it out, there will be a Women's clinic next week (Tuesday, November 30th) at the track at 7:30pm. A UCI License or Rockabilly membership is required, but the clinic will only cost you the price of a race fee. So come on out and get some good training, advice, and coaching in the sport of 4x. Micayla Gatto, the 3 time Indoor 4x Series winner, Crankworx Dual Slalom champ, and World Top 20 in Downhill will be on hand for training assistance and tips to make you more confident and faster on the track and on the bike.


Now back to the racing... In the PRO class, Vet Pro mixed it up with the regular Pros to show the young guys what track management and tactics are all about. Cam Murphy went undefeated again ahead of Harold Woolnough, Todd Castonguay, and the O-Show Brian Onofrichuk. Woolnough's another rider who's taken up riding 20" bikes to boost his speed and traded paint with Murphy a couple of times resulting in at least one photo finish. The Pro class racing is as tight as ever.


For full results on the night's race plus the overall leaderboard, click HERE.

Next Tuesday is Track Practice and the Open Women's Clinic. Then the track shuts down for the month of December. Race #3 is January 18th on a new track! But remember that 2011 Licenses apply! Hope to see you all then!

And a HUGE round of thanks to our generous sponsors!

www.konaworld.com
www.chromagbikes.com
www.vitaminwatercanada.ca
www.smartwatercanada.ca
www.declinemagazine.com
www.abbotsfordbmx.ca
www.claytonracicot.com