After the recent damp weather, the sun shone on Brands Hatch for the event on the evening of Friday 6th July.   A good crowd of riders and supporters turned up at the Kent motor-racing circuit for the Pre-Tour de France event.  With several of the Le Tour teams staying in the nearby hotel, and more motorbike fanatics preparing for their weekend racing at Brands Hatch, the riders were inspired to perform at their best!

In the first Youth race for U8’s, U10’s, and U12’s, 11 riders took part, using a 10 lap circuit of the Pit Lane and Brabham straight.  Alice Barnes (Palmer Park Velo) U12 won in a time of 16mins 50sec’s, just 18 seconds clear of Joseph Fry (Welwyn Wheelers) U10.

In the second Youth race for U14’s, U16’s, 12 riders took part, using a 14 lap circuit of the Pit Lane, then out to Clearways, and then back down the Brabham Straight. Samuel Fry (Interbike RT) U16 won in a time of 29min’s 20sec’s, some distance clear of Hugo Humphreys (Lee Valley Youth CC) U14.

Racing in the main event - the “Southborough Classic” was fast and furious as a strong tail wind down the Brabham Straight assisted the riders on the fastest part of the circuit.The event got underway in its customary Handicap style with the Elites, 1st and 2nd Category riders departing the start two minutes after the 3rd and 4th Category riders.   The Elites, 1st and 2nd Category riders caught the others at just about half race distance, and shortly after several groups of stronger riders got away.   The lead group which contained Paul Mill (Team Edwardes), Daniez Davies (KW Heist Zuiderkempen), and Andy Lyons (Heron Cycle Sport) worked well together, and were close to lapping the main pack.   In the finishing sprint Paul Mill won by a bike length of so from Daniez Davies and Andy Lyons.  The winning time was 1hr 15mins 30sec’s.

A good evening was had by all, but apologies to the main pack for the lap board error on the last lap. As a result of the larger costs demanded by Brands Hatch for use of the circuit, a small donation will be made to the Dave Rayner fund.

Three Southborough riders partook, with Peter Rowe finishing strongly, ahead of Neil Lewis and Keith Henderson.

I would like to thank the Southborough Wheelers members, who as usual, voluntarily assisted on the evening with the event.   I will try again next year to see if we can once again get the use of the track, but as many will recognise, it’s getting more and more difficult each year.

6:15pm U12, U10, U8 10 laps (?km) Pit-Lane / Brabham Straight - 15 mins.

Under 8's 

1. Cedric Klassen (Kingston Wheelers) U8

2. Oliver Jackson (None) U8

3. Torin Henderson (None) U8

4. Elliott Jackson (None) U8

Under 10's

1. Joseph Fry (Welwyn Wheelers) U10 17.08

2. Henry Barnes (Palmer Park Velo) U10 @ 1.30

3. Jonah Hawkes (None) U10

Under 12's

1. Alice Barnes (Palmer Park Velo) U12 16.50

2. Hamish Paget-Brown (None) U12

3. Tim Rowe (None) U12

4. Eleanor Hawkes (None) U12  

6:45pm U16, U14  14 laps (?km) Pit-lane, Clearways, Brabham Straight - 30 mins.

U16's

1. Samuel Fry (Interbike RT) U16 29.20

2. Ben Goddard (Newport Salop C.C.) U16 @ 1 lap

U14's

1. Hugo Humphreys (Lee Valley Youth CC) U14

2. Hannah Barnes (Palmer Park Velo) U14

3. Daniel Snow (Team JD Cycles) U14

4. Josh Green (Lee Valley Youth CC) U14

5. Euan Cattermole (VCL) U14

7:30pm-- J,4,3 & 2,1,E & V,W  25 laps (50km) Handicapped - Full club circuit

1. Paul Mill (Team Edwardes) 1.15.30

2. Daniez Davies (KW Heist Zuiderkempen)

3. Andy Lyons (Heron Cycle Sport)

4. James Stewart (KFS-Speokveh/Sunday)

5. D Shannon (Heron Cycle Sport)

6. Dominic Schills (Interbike RT)

7. Chaz Hollosi (Gemini BC)

1st Lady - Alice Mongel-Godfrey (Glendene CC)

1st Junior -Dominic Schills (Interbike RT)