Tonight was the last Track Series at Holland Speedway, I want to thank Larry Reade, for volunteering his time to allow me to race and being the Chief Referee, Timer, Lap Counter and Field Judge. Now that is amazing when you think about it. So when you see LR Thank him. I also want to thank, Joe Cooke’s Mom and his Sister, who spent many evening helping Larry keep track of points and times. With out these volunteer we could not have the fun we had over the summer. I also would like to thank my sponsor French Meadow Bakery and Fortistar for helping with the cost of the track and the Bike Shop for donating the preem prizes.
So the last night may have been a little chilly based on some riders wearing knee warmer and arm warmers. Guess the blood got a little thinner during the summer; cross season is almost here better start putting on the winter fat.
The first race of the night was a simple 40 lap scratch race, based on the race I saw a lot of improvement in tactics from some riders. Usually I see the same faces making the race but others are now testing the waters and seeing that risks can give awards. First prime of the night had Scott Farrell (Ingram Micro) winning the sprint from Steve Toorongian (Ingram Micro) and Dave Kina (Wachovia Securities). A second prime 4 lap after had Joe Cooke (Bike Shop) winning from Mike Bridges (Shickluna) and Mike Luther (Handlebars). About half way thru, a third prime had Joe Cooke winning again, with Paul Mesi ( Bike Shop/French Meadow Bakery) and his Old Man just behind. Attacks were often token efforts, single riders testing the water but nothing stuck. So another prime saw a regular winner in Mike Bridges. Steve T was not far behind and Joe Cooke still in the hunt for another item. Right after that Mike Luther (Handlebars), Mike Loranty (Wachovia Securities) fresh from his big win in Rochester and another rider decided that sprinting may not be in their best interest and up the road they went. This time, rain did not come but Joe Cooke and another rider pored on the speed to try to catch the break. The pack looking content to watch these riders ride away. A couple laps later, and the three riders almost a half a lap up on the pack, Mike Bridges did his best Superman impersonation and tried to make contact with the 5 escapee. Down the back stretch and thru the finish he powered up to the two some still trying to catch the three escapees. A quick glance back saw a smiling Frank Mesi (French Meadow Bakery) sitting on his wheel. That was enough for superman and the Old man turned a few pedals and made contact, 2 down and three to go. Now that Mike brought him up this far, it seemed that old disc had enough energy stored so Frank keep on going to bring back the threesome. Everyone takes a rest and now the group and what is left of the pack is back together again. Now that fun racing. 30+ miles per hour during stretches. Again we are back to single riders trying that crafty art of riding away from a tired pack but Mike Loranty will have none of that and latches on to every move. Except for the winning one, off goes Mike Luther with no more than 4 laps to go and everyone watches wishing it was him not Mike going up the road. Sometimes, you just kick your self for letting that happen, but happen it does. Mike’s up the road and the group is racing for second. The bell lap and everyone is fighting for position. Just as the big wind-up is coming, Jason Skalski (Handlebars), better known as “Flash” take his patent flyer from the back and everyone is now fighting for third. Frank finds a hole and rockets around the pack for third, with Joe Cooke and Scott Farrell filling the top 5 places. Handlebars, shows the group how it is done with the top 2 places tonight.
Paul Mesi asked about having a team pursuit tonight guess the Olympic fever is everywhere, so we planned on having sponsor teams race each other, but not enough rider from every team showed, something to work on next year. So we had 4 captions pick up and had a “bragging right’s” race of 4 laps.
The Teams were,
Team Flash, Jason Mike Loranty, John Moore
Team Get Away, Mike Luther, Joe Cooke, Erb and Stuart
Team Superman, Mike B, Paul M, Scott F and Chris
Team Old but not Slow, Frank, Steve T, Adam T and Dave “the hammer” Kina
The first race was Team Get Away and Superman, with Mike shouting commands his team held off the group of “get away” artist for the win and the chance to ride again.
Next up Team Flash vs the Old but not slow group of Frank’s in a nail biter Frank’s team pulled out a win by 3 tenth of a second.
The final pitted Mike Bridges Superman vs the team of Frank Mesi “Old but not Slow”.
This is were the hammer comes from David started his group off near 30 mph, for the first lap, keeping the group close to Superman and his cartoon hero friends, The race was close for 2 laps but the Old man and his younger teammates finished off Superman with a Kryptonite blast in the final lap.
WOW bragging right’s till next year for the Old Man. Yahoo!!!
The final race of the year turnout to be a chamois (Chammy) burner, 4 laps with a fixed gear of 39/17. With those gears you would think a junior would spin away from the field, and Joe Cooke did try for 3 laps but no the Flash showed everyone that he is not only a big gear pusher and sprinted the back stretch for a easy win. Mike Loranty second and Mike Bridges 3rd. Goes to show you “a sprinter is a sprinter in any gear. LOL
See you next year.
Thanks for a fun summer at the track everyone.
