Walk-on Walters

Wow, that was 13 races done and dusted before we even knew it. And when the dust, or rather snow, ice and rain, had settled it was Sigma Sport teamster Jerone Walters sporting the biggest smile, a worthy victor of the E123 series. And shockingly there was home team win in the Category 4s, with Imperial Racing Team’s own Dave Ryan tying up what was this year a very competitive field.

We’re very pleased to say we saw just over 300 riders sign on this year, making up over 1000 individual race entries for the series. And it was a series that again managed to avoid any race cancellations, despite even the snow. We were delighted too when mid-series we upgraded the event from C+ to National B, meaning more points for those hungrily chasing them down, ready for the summer season. What with the introduction of specialist video equipment for the finish we hope you’ll agree the event did get measurably more professional again this season.

It has to be said the 4th cats were a revelation. You guys had certainly done your homework, for the standard of riding (and tactics) was very high. And our apologies here must go to any of the huge entry that made week one and who must have been put off by the seriously big field and high standards they met. Do come back again and let it be said if you do keep coming then you do settle in, it does get easier. But it’s never actually easy, of course.

We were pleased too to see such diversity in the entries. Sixty year olds rode side by side with teenagers, and of course quite a few of those older guys taught the whippersnappers a trick or two. And again the racers were truly international – you only have to read the results – and we were delighted to receive raiding parties from the North too.

A special word here for Rudie Marais, winner of Doug Collins’s Most Combative Rider award. Rudie really took on so many of the E123 races, forming breakaways, or pulling them back, and always-always attacking. Rudie made 10th in the series and maybe if he chose alternative tactics he might have scored higher – but would we have been so entertained? Probably not – a crowd pleaser is Rudie.

And finally, again well done to the winners. Jerone Walters (36) came new into the series and made it his own. While Paul Alderson (40), another newcomer and Cat 2, by stealing the final podium position showed that even in the cut and thrust of circuit racing age (and experience, clearly) can count for a lot. To Chris Moores (a mere youth at 26) it was 2nd again for the second year running. But Chris is a stylish and capable rider, maybe next year will be his.

To all of you who came along, again a very big thank you, we enjoyed your company, your spirit and your efforts. We hope you enjoyed yourselves too and go on to have a great summer of racing. And when it gets cold and dark at the end of the year, you’ll know where to come.
See you next series!

Class of 2008/2009