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PP News - 2009
Track racing in Brighton would just not be the same without his commentary. So what does he do on those nights that he isn’t standing by the track with microphone in hand? He’s at home either writing the weekly reports you can read on this and other web sites or editing our very own PP News. Gavin Smith is the voice and pen of track racing in Sussex. Gathered here are excerpts from this year’s PP News plus full colour PDF downloads of the complete News paper.
Other Articles from PP News 2009 - Race Day Tips ¦ Points Race Tips
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Preston Park Goes International!
 With his attacking racing style, Jean Spies has helped liven up the racing here at Preston Park since he first rode on Wednesday 6 May. Jean is the reigning South African national champion at both keirin and Olympic sprint and he is a member of his country’s national squad. He is spending the season racing for In-Gear, to get wider racing experience. In his first two weeks here, he notched up a few runner-up spots but no wins. Last week (20 May) he not only won a famous victory in the Preston Park Senior Scratch Championship but also took the 3-lap dash. His average weekly points score is 18, just below that of Felix (22½). So, “Welkom” to Jean, and we look forward to witnessing more great battles between him and our other stars over the next few weeks.
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First Ever Meeting at Preston Park
Report by Sussex League archivist Colin Cartwright
I managed to visit Brighton recently and spent most of my time focussing on the opening of Preston Park and the first races there. I discovered the following from the Brighton Guardian:
1)
Preston Park cricket ground and track was formally opened on Thursday 12th May 1887. To quote the piece from 18/5/1887: (the new ground) 'has special features not possessed by the older ground. The chief of these is the splendid cycling track...'. It was a cinder track.
2)
The next week the Brighton Cycling Association met at The Gloucester Hotel. This had been formally incorporated on 19 March 1887 in order to 'promote cycle racing in the district'. The Association was an amalgamation of all the local cycling clubs, ostensibly (as the article explains) so that the clubs could band together in order to afford hiring the new cycle track. They give forward notice of two race meetings in July & on the (early) August Bank Holiday. My great grandfather was one of those present at the meeting.
3)
16th July was the first race at Preston Park, which included a 2-mile open handicap, a 3-mile roadster handicap, a 1-mile open tricycle handicap and a 5-mile invitation bicycle race (in which my great-grandfather participated, without coming among the placings). This was not an entirely successful opening as the crowd was smaller than expected and some of the participants failed to show up! (Reported in Guardian 20/7/87, and the Brighton Herald confirms that this was the first race meeting at the Park).
4)
31 July saw the second-ever meet with the U.S. Champion Mr W M Woodside taking part in the races and trying for the world record for a quarter of a mile (Guardian 3/8/87).
There were between 3,000 and 4,000 spectators.
5)
Finally, I came across a piece in 1891 re the amalgamation of Brighton Cyclist Club and the Brighton Excelsior Club.The new club adopted the BCC title. However, during discussion it was clear that those from Excelsior wanted to keep something of their old name and suggested it as the new club's motto, but this motion was defeated. The vote was very close and I'm not sure how long the new club lasted! (Guardian & Hove Recorder 5/8/1891).
Still a lot to research, but at least this establishes that the 125th anniversary of Preston Park track falls in summer 2012.
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1949 meet (62 years after the first one!)
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DAN DUNBAR, ACE PHOTOGRAPHER AND FILM-MAKER
Dan can be seen at the track most Wednesdays taking many of the brilliant action shots which go up on the websites with our reports. Gavin thought it was time to find out more about the man behind the lens.
Gavin: How old are you, Dan?
Dan: 16.
Gavin: Apart from Preston park, what other projects have you done?
Dan: I’ve made a film called “What happens when you call 999?” for the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, I’ve made a short film for the NHS on the local area, and I’m currently working with the British Youth Council to make a documentary about youth culture in the UK over the last 60 years. I’ve also worked on the Arts Award project, and I’ve been a finalist in the National Young Filmmakers Awards and many more.
Gavin: Are you planning to go to college to study photography or film?
Dan: I’ve applied for two options out of photography, media, ICT or a media production BTEC National Diploma.
Gavin: Any thoughts on a career in photography?
Dan: Yes, I’d like to work in the industry and my ideal job would be working with the BBC.
Gavin: Are your GCSEs this year?
Dan: Yes, I’m currently taking them.
Gavin: Where can we see more of your photos?
Dan: On my website www.dandunbarphotography.blogspot.com.
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FELIX ENGLISH – A STAR IN THE MAKING
We’ve witnessed his sheer speed and power here at Preston Park for the past few seasons, but especially since 2007 when he first won the Senior A League aged JUST 14!!! Ever wondered what else Felix has achieved in recent years? Well, here is an up-to-date list for your perusal:
FELIX ENGLISH’S PALMARÈS:
Ridden for England at Junior level and also raced a lot abroad in Belgium/Holland.
1st - U16 British Cycling South East Omnium Series 2007 and 2008
1st - Welsh Madison Championships 2008
1st - British Schools National Hill Climb Championships 2007 and 2008
1st - British Schools National Hard Track Championships 2008
1st - British Schools National Best All Rounder 2008
1st - Crystal Palace Overall Series Winner 2008
1st - Preston Park Senior A League Winner 2007 and 2008
2nd - U16 British Cycling National Points Race 2008
2nd - GHS National Time Trial Championship 2008
3rd - U16 British Cycling National Road Series - Hillingdon 2008
3rd - U16 British Cycling National Road Series - Thruxton 2008
3rd - U16 British Cycling National Pursuit Championships 2008
3rd - Senior British Cycling Hard Track Series - Kingsbury Cup 2008
3rd - Senior British Cycling Hard Track Series - Paris-Bordeaux 2008
3rd - U16 Madison Championships 2008
4th - U16 British Cycling National Road Series - Fowlmead 2008
1st - Isle Of Man International Youth Tour Green Jersey Points Classification 2007
1st - GHS National Time Trial Championship 2007
3rd - U16 British Cycling National Scratch Race 2007
3rd - Isle of Man International Youth Tour Yellow Overall Classification 2007
3rd - U14 British Cycling National Omnium Championships 2006
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CHARLIE HEFFERNAN WINS NATIONAL YOUTH RACE, KIM ENGLISH TAKES A BRONZE MEDAL AND SEVERAL OTHER PP REGULARS ARE WELL-PLACED!
Charlie Heffernan pulled off a masterly performance in the National Youth Circuit Race in Solihull, West Midlands, to win the U16 Boys race in real style on Sunday 14 June. Competing in a field of 45 of the country’s top youth riders on the new purpose-built circuit in Tudor
Grange Park, Charlie was part of a mid-race breakaway which was eventually pulled back. However, Charlie later went away on his own and stayed away for a great lone win. ”There were a few attacks, but nothing really developed that much”, he told Preston Park News. “It was a very quick race, averaging nearly 30mph. I was in a few attacks myself, then I got away on my own with about 3½ laps to go and pulled away with a reasonable lead. I was able to ease off before the finish line to take the win. My main aims this year are the track nationals in mid-August and the circuit nationals at the end of July.” Charlie is coached by VC Jubilee’s supremos Sally and Roy Page. Sally was full of praise for Charlie when PP News caught up with her: “That was a fantastic result for Charlie. He has shown commitment to continuing his training to prove his ability at the highest level.”
On the same day, Kim English also put up a great display of racing, finishing in third place in the U14 Girls race. And two more of our top PP girl racers Amy Jacobs and Emily Barnes achieved fine results, notching sixth and ninth spots respectively.
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Charlie crosses the line alone
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Kim (right) on the podium
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A TRIP TO THE MARKET by Gavin Smith
On Saturday 6 June, I took the train and red double-decker bus to see the Smithfield Nocturne in London. It was a great event with full-on entertainment from 6pm to 10pm with an interesting selection of races to wow the crowds. The 1.1km circuit was fast and exciting, with good vantage points, both at the finish area and also at a point where you could see riders twice per lap. Preston Park organiser Vern McClelland was commissairing at this event.
Although I went there on my own, it’s never long before you’re chatting to people you know, who this time included Preston Park celebrities Sean and Kathryn McClelland, Mark Burgess, Rupert Rivett, Nigel Foskett (see below) and (hanging precariously from a lamp-post) Martyn Potter. It was also interesting to look out for other famous people before and during the races. I spotted Rob Hayles and Ed Clancy (both racing later), Geraint Thomas and the famous fashion designer Paul Smith (no relation!).
There were 3 folding-bike races (two heats and a final) with Le Mans-style running starts and the competitors dressed in jackets and ties having to assemble their machines before riding their races. A wonderful spectacle! It was good to see two PP regulars taking part with success. Richard Bailey and Nigel Foskett (riding Rob Fuller’s bike) both got through to the final, where they were placed 5th and 12th respectively.
Another PP rider Andy Edwards featured well in the 2/3-cat race, being well up in the lead group throughout the race and finishing exactly 20th. It should be noted that this race was consistently lapping at 1min 33sec, or 27mph! There was also a race for top women riders, a city-firm relay race and a fixed-wheel skid contest which brought three riders thundering to the ground!
The main attraction, of course, was the elite race over 1 hours plus 5 laps. Previous PP champ Gyles Wingate was in this, and despite efforts by many to get away, it was more or less impossible, with regular laps timed at 1min 25sec (33mph!) and it all came down to a sprint with the surviving 20 or so riders, won by Russell Downing.
After a couple of tube-train rides, I managed to get my train back to Sussex and into bed at 1.00am. Well past my bed-time, but the trip was well worth it. If you’re able to get up there next year, it is highly recommended.
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THE “BACK-TO-FRONT” TROPHY by Dave Gerrey
The Back-to-front Trophy was awarded at last year’s prize-giving for the first time. The trophy was the idea of Ian Mitchell, Pete’s dad. Ian had, and probably still has, very happy memories of watching some epic battles at Preston Park between Pete and some of the other youths riding here at the time, particularly Matt Howard. His particular highlight was the handicap races which often saw Pete and Matt starting as far back as the fence by the pavilion and sprinting flat out from the off to overhaul those starting off round by the second bend.
To celebrate those battles, Ian donated the Back-to-front Trophy to reward the rider in the U16/U14 category who had the best handicap performance over the season. So, how do we measure this and decide who is best? It’s really quite simple, at least that is what Vern keeps telling me! Basically, we keep a note of what distance the winner of the U16/U14 handicap has had to make up in order to win on the night and keep a total. The rider with the biggest total at the end of the season wins the trophy. Imagine you start on the 40-metre mark and the rider furthest out is on 150 metres, if you win the race you will have made up 110 metres (150 – 40). Do that a couple of times in the season and you stand a good chance of winning the Back-to-front trophy.
So, where are we so far this season? Unfortunately due to rain we have missed a few U16/U14 handicaps. We have had 4 so far with Elliot Tabraham-Dowers having won two with a total distance of 135 (55 + 80) and Thomas Evans having won the other two with a total of 50 (15 + 25). Could this be a hare and tortoise race? Perhaps Elliot will win the trophy with just a couple of big wins or maybe a slower rider can get enough shorter wins to pip him at the post. Find out at the annual prize-giving on Saturday 17 October.
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EURO SILVER MEDAL FOR PP STAR PETE MITCHELL
 Preston Park star Pete Mitchell (pictured, centre) teamed up with Jason Kenny and David Daniell to win the silver medals in the European Under-23 Team Sprint Championships recently. Their excellent time of 44.721sec took them to the ride-off for gold and silver, in which they were narrowly beaten by the French squad.
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LEE POVEY GRABS GOLD IN NATIONAL MASTERS SPRINT
 Lee qualified with the fastest time of the day (11.450sec for the 200m TT). After a relatively comfortable win in the semis against Paul Butler, it was down to business with the final against super-strong John McClelland. Lee had the mental advantage of knowing that his own qualifying time was 0.4sec faster than McClelland’s. As Lee said after the race: “John is a renowned endurance sprinter, so I controlled the race from the front to stop him going for a long one. I kept the pace fairly slow, and in the end I won quite comfortably.”
. . . AND HE LANDS SILVER IN THE KILO!
Lee recorded 1.09.893 for the silver medal, behind Adam Roberts (1.08.743). “Last year I came fourth”, said Lee, “so it’s an improvement of two places. I was a little disappointed not to win, as I was way up at half-distance. But it caught up with me on the last lap, where I really struggled! It was a proper “seeing stars” moment and it took me a good 15 minutes before I could get up from the floor and talk”.
. . . AND HE IS ALSO UP FOR THE EUROPEAN MASTERS CHAMPS
This week, Lee will be at Manchester Velodrome, taking part in the European Masters Championships, where he will be defending his sprint title against the top riders from France, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Germany and of course Great Britain.
“Good luck, Lee, from all your fans here at Preston Park!”
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CHARLIE HEFFERNAN SEES THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC SITE AND MEETS PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN
On Wednesday 15 July before the evening Preston Park meet, Charlie was invited to see the London Olympic site and to chat with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This had been arranged by Brighton & Hove City Council in conjunction with the Brighton & Hove Sports Development Unit. Charlie is in receipt of one of their grants, and he was a guest of the MP for Hove, Celia Barlow.
 Charlie said: "Me and dad took the train from Stratford, then a coach to the Olympic site to see the major venues. We visited a balcony of some flats which looked over the whole site, which is enormous. Then took the Stratford tube to Westminster to go into No 10 Downing Street to wander around and we met lots of GB and sports stars eg Daley Thompson, Boris Becker, Hugh Porter and others. We chatted with them and Gordon Brown PM, and had some nibbles. There were other young people there, from London mostly and also Wales - and most of them were into athletics. I think there’s still a bit of building work to do at the Olympic site!"
This was an inspirational trip for Charlie and it was interesting for him to see all the work going on at the Olympic site.
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YOUNG COMMISSAIRES OFFICIATE AT PRESTON PARK
Last year, two of our young regular riders attended the British Cycling commissaires’ course and achieved their accreditation.
 Daniel Gerrey and Ben Miller, both members of the thriving local youth club VC Jubilee, were aged only 18 at the time. Towards the end of last season, Daniel and Ben each took charge of one of our league meetings. Their excellent performance was commented on by several riders.
This season, with regular commissaires Vern McClelland and Rob Fuller both sometimes unavoidably absent from meetings, Daniel’s summer return from university came at just the right time. Having been a judge at the league for the last three seasons, he has now competently taken charge as commissaire for three meets. And he may complete the season in this role, having just received official notification that he has been appointed as a Regional Track Commissaire. He is one of only a handful of under-25-year-olds in the country to reach this level.
 For his part, Ben is one of the most successful riders in the senior B-league and is currently lying in fifth spot, despite dropping out at least one week to help with the officiating. He is ready and willing to take control of a meet if the usual commissaires are absent. Away from the track, Ben has organised this season’s very successful Hove Park season for youths as well as a recent circuit meeting at Goodwood for all categories.
Both Daniel (right) and Ben (above) have been recognised by British Cycling for their support of the sport as Young Volunteers.
British Cyclng’s Officials Education Officer Robert Jefferies fully supports the involvement of youngsters in a commissairing role.
“I am personally very committed to increasing the amount of young people who can participate in our sport by officiating”, he said. “Eventually I would like to see every youth meeting at least in part officiated by young officials.”
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YOUTH GAMES
INFO FROM SALLY PAGE & PAULINE ENGLISH
Preston Park youth riders have filled 5 out of the 7 places for the UK Youth School Games due to take place in Wales from 3 September for four days. 1,500 athletes from 10 sports will be completing at three different venues. Our chosen riders are Charlie Heffernan, Nick Smith, Ashley Dennis, Amy Jacobs (all from VC Jubilee) and Kim English (Palmer Park Velo). Emily Barnes (Palmer Park Velo) has been selected as a reserve rider.
The selection was based on their position in the 4 Southern Regional Omnium Series meetings – and Charlie, Ashley and Amy all won their respective age categories.
Lucas Anderson (from Kent), together with support from John Scripps in his new role as Olympic Talent Development Coach, is managing the SE track team. If you would like to find out more about the event check out www.ukschoolgames.com. It is a HUGE event. The idea is to create the feel of an Olympics / Commonwealth Games multi-sport environment, so participants can get used to the atmosphere from a young age. There are opening & closing ceremonies and team issue kit etc. All sports accommodation is in an athletes’ village which will be at Cardiff University. The track cycling is at Newport (so no rain delays!). Darren Campbell is ambassador of the event, the cycling events will be from 3-6 September and cover a full Olympic programme for girls and boys. Events include: team pursuit, individual pursuit, Madison, points, scratch, sprint, team sprint, TT and keirin.
This may be a one-off opportunity, as in following years if the event is not near an indoor track, cycling might not feature. So, best of luck to all those who will be representing the South East at these games, and what an exciting opportunity.
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