Gorrick Spring Series 2008
Words by Clive Ely, photos by Guy Swarbrick.
With the final round of the Gorrick spring series at Porridgepot Hill on the 20th April completed, a short roundup of how members of the team got on. It's worth pointing out that not all the team members competed in all of the rounds. For some of us it's part of this years racing focus, others are concentrating on different goals for the year - NPS, Southern XC, various Enduro events etc. - and use the early season Gorrick's to gauge how the winters training has gone.
All the Gorrick races are part sponsored by Mountain Trax. They are obviously very well attended (500 riders plus at some rounds), and this provides good exposure for the shop. The van and spacious orange awning allows us to support not only the team but also many of the regular shop customers with encouragement, bottles and shelter which I think this year was limited to a hailstorm at Crowthorne - not bad considering the 'spring' we had.
Race support as good as you get at the Nationals!
Starting with our newest and youngest member Steve. First overall in the Youth Male series, the title sewn up before the last round even took place!
Despite his young age, Steve's already got the hang of this arm waving lark
In the Master Female category, Lorraine claimed second overall. A great effort as, by her own admission, Lorraine's forte is the mega long distance events!
Lorraine is joined by the Veterans on the podium
Moving up in years to the Veterans, our sole representative Little Dean competed in three rounds with a best finish of 11th at round 1.
Moving up in years yet again, Clive competed in the Grand Vets for the second year with a hard fought podium third which came down to the last race to decide. Sporting Director John completed 3 rounds with an 11th in round 4 - the toughest race of the series.
Clive with the seemingly invincible Ray Crosthwaite, and Tim Stowe
Moving up to the very competitive Super Master Male, Paul came in 13th overall with a best 4th position in round 1.
In Male Sport our team owner Chris came in 25th overall scoring points in the last round of the four he competed in. A sterling effort, whilst coping with providing race support to team members and customers, setting up bikes for demo rides and keeping the shop open for business too.
This year Ben and Warren moved up from Sport and Calum moved up from Youth to compete with the Experts for both pace and distance. Ben finished 8th scoring in two out of the two rounds he competed in with his best result a fourth in round 4. Calum claimed 12th overall scoring a great third in the one round he competed in. Warren competed in rounds 1 and 2, but unfortunately out of the points.
So a good start to the season as we look forward to seeing how all the team progress.