Track Racing results Aug 12 2008

No rain today, yahoo, track racing full speed ahead and start our engines we did. Got there a little late but looked like a good crowd for the 2nd last track series this year. Temperature a little cooler, fall is coming and the winds out of the southeast made for fast finishes. 19 racers decided that the Rochester crit was not fast enough on Saturday so they came to test their legs once more on the track at Holland.

The first race of the night was a simple 20 lap scratch race to warm up the legs, the pace was tentative to start and people were eyeing each other waiting for some one to make the move. And wait we did till the bell lap, Joe Halter (Handlebars) took the lead down the back straight into the wind, looking behind to see what was coming. What he saw was a pack of edgy riders looking for a wheel to get them out of the wind. Joe turned on the jets thru the corner. Wachovia Securities rider new kit and all Jim Cowle bring the group up to Joe, Mike Bridges (Shickluna) makes a jump to pass with Ken Thomas (Wachovia Securities) fighting with Frank Mesi (French Meadow Bakery/Fortistar) for the wheel. At the finish Joe held off the train, Mike Bridges finishing 2nd , Kenny getting around Jim for 3rd and Frank filling the final point spot.

Our next event was a hold over from last week, the strong man event the Individual Pursuit, the riders choosing to do 6 lap which is a little short of the 3000m standard distance for senior or the shorter but not easier 4 lapper. Joe Halter again proved to be the leader of the pack with a respectable time of 3:52 and some change. The next fastest had old man Mesi with a 4:01, Ken Thomas 4:06, Jim Cowle 4:08, Mike Bridges 4:10, for the 6 lap distance, a complete listing will be up shortly.

Our final event a 15 lap point race, this time the pace was blistering from the start, Jason Skalski (Handlebars) rode into town with guns blazing and everyone was holding a wheel and nothing more. The first sprint was fast and furious, Bridges, Thomas and Cowle with Steve Toorongian (Ingram Micro) taking points. Everyone looking to rest but Jason again says no and takes up the pace, bring Frank with him. This time there will be no rest for the group and the carnage is great. Riders are falling off the pace and out the back and we have not heard the second bell sprint yet.

Frank is off the front, 3 riders catch up Ken Thomas and Mike Bridges and Steve Toorongian. The bell lap rings and Ken is leading out the group. Frank gets around Ken for the sprint win and points are taken by Ken, Mike and Steve. Frank is getting the idea that the pursuits may have taken some sting out of the legs of some riders and takes off in search of greener pastures. He holds this for another sprint win, Joe Halter immerges from the group to get 2nd followed by Greg Jenson (the Bike Shop) who showed everyone his sprint, like he did by winning the cat 5 race in Rochester Saturday (congrats)and Ken Thomas.

Frank looks behind him sees the deer in the head light look from the pack and continues his pursuit to the finish. The pack is now hoping that he dies or someone sacrifices himself for the good of others.

Just when he thinks he may get to the line by himself for the easy win, up from the ashes comes a blistering Joe Cooke and Mike Bridges, damn he think now there is going to be a sprint to the finish. But Joe is not waiting for that to happen and takes off, just as the bell for the final lap rings. Ten meters head and holding off Frank with Bridges in toll. Down the back straight they go, Joe still in the lead and winding up for a fast finish. But no Mike Bridges will have none of that and click, click ups the gear and leaves a tired Frank in his wake and catches the fast junior just before the line. Ties Frank in points and wins because of the final sprint. Welcome to the Holland speedway fun and games. Jason takes the field sprint with Dave Bisnius (Wachovia Securities) picking up the last point places, our juniors are becoming more aggressive.

For the night, Joe Halter wins again, Mike Bridges out paces Frank Mesi for 2nd and followed by Ken Thomas and Jim Cowle.

Next week is the last of this years Tuesdays night Track Training series, I like to thank the Bike shop who has donated a bunch of prime prizes this year, and French Meadow bakery/Fortistar who gave the BBC the money to rent the track and help with cash prizes, I hope for a great turnout next week to close out a return to the track, here at Holland.

Thanks everyone who came out to race this year.