Track Racing

Currently track racing is organised on a demand basis, please email your state representative or the executive if you are interested in track racing.

Some details of previous events follow:

Sunday 17th March 2002 at Queanbeyan

Peter Heal

The event Sunday 17th March 2002 at Queanbeyan proved to be very successful. A bit like a mini HPV Challenge actually. The weather was perfect and the 11 riders had a great time.

It was such a success, we're taking the show on the road and planning a similar event at Bowral (Southern Highlands NSW) on either 28th & 29th April or 5th & 6th May. It is planned to make a weekend of it and have an afternoon of racing on the Saturday. A group dinner on the Saturday night and a pleasant recumbent tour on the Sunday morning. Families welcome. At this stage, it looks as though the cost for track hire is nothing, zilch, zip (a price I like). Please let me know if you would be interested and preferred date.

Click here to see the Queanbeyan results in Excel format.

Bowral Track Racing and Rally Weekend 4th & 5th May 2002

Peter Heal (the track racing dude)

Following the fairly successful track-racing day at Queanbeyan in March, a similar event was held at Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands in May.

Once again the concept of racing recumbents on a banked velodrome style track proved popular although the Sydney mob was somewhat notable due to their absence. I would have thought the opportunity for some racing and riding with other HPVers so close to Sydney would be too good to miss.

In all there were 4 Canberra OzHPV riders, 2 from Sydney. 1 from Newcastle and 2 from Queensland (yes Queensland!!!).

The Bowral track is more steeply banked than Queanbeyan and perhaps not the best for our three wheeled brothers who found it difficult to counter steer against gravity if they went too far up the banking. The two wheelers on the other hand lapped it up and riders were swooping up the banking in true track racing style. The surface of the track was rather rough being weathered bitumen, but for the hire price (free) it was a bargain.

Ian Humphries convinced his parents they needed a day in the country and somehow fitted, Ian's lowracer (including tail box), Bec's SWB and a Green M5 into the falcon along with three passengers. Mr & Mrs Humphries were sent home by train!

The day followed the same highly organised program (what do you guys want to do now?) which included a 200metre time trail, a last man out race, a 1,000km time trail, a handicap race, a slalom and a 10 minute lap race. All good fun.

Peter H just managed to only just hold on to his flying 200 metre dominance from a very long legged Malcolm from Sydney, an out of form Ian H (world champion) and David McCook finding his wings on the Ian's M5 . The results of the 1,000m came out in the same order. With less than a second between Peter and Malcolm. In the 10 minute sprint, the three fasties, Ian, Malcolm and Peter were averaging around 42-45kmh and taking turns in the lead using the banking to change positions.

As the sun gradually set on the track, we made our way back to various forms of overnight accommodation and arranged to meet up for a feed at the busy Mittagong RSL. After devouring the salad bar, the crowds started to thin and talk got to more serious things, like the future of OzHPV.

Sunday morning after a cold night turned on the sunshine again and the group now somewhat expanded by the arrival of Bec and some of the Mc Cook clan, made it's Wacky way to Berrima on a busy back road. If the road was busy, then most were heading to Berrima with its historic village appearance, craft shops, cafes and THE BAKERY. Needless to say we spent some time at the bakery drinking eating and talking. The road back to Bowral over Oakley Hill was less trafficked and had a very nice although bumpy downhill into the town. Despite best efforts the group was unable to find the start of a nice bike path along the river, which was sighted the day before, and it was necessary to ride the wide kerbside lane on the busy main road connecting the highland towns.

A quick stop at the velodrome again for Bec to record some times and then it was back to Moss vale where bikes were loaded and we said our goodbyes.

It was a very successful weekend, I feel and a great pity not more members could have taken part. Thank you to all those that came and I hope you enjoy your complimentary supplies of OMO flavoured Isosport..

On my way back to Canberra, I stopped in Goulburn to check out yet another country town velodrome – very nice it was too. Maybe I'll organise something in Goulburn next time.

Click here to see the Bowral results in Excel format.