PREVIEW: Yorkshire Individual Championships
This Saturday sees the staging of Yorkshire Individual championships at Heckmondwike’s Firth Park circuit. The championships were restored to the calendar four years ago and is open to riders based with the Heckmondwike, Hull and Sheffield clubs.
The main aim was an attempt to re-fire interest in the Heckmondwike club. The current membership and progression of the West Yorkshire club is testament to the success of the event. For a second time the trophies have been provided by CRA consultancy firm, the main backers of the Sheffield Rockets Northern league team. The open meet will see local hero Pawel Idziorek (pictured above in yellow helmet) attempt to win back to back titles, having beaten Radek Handke last year. He could face stiff opposition from British Champion Andy Angell (who has yet hasn’t been available to compete in any of the previous years) and Hull team-mate and British finalist Adam Stephenson. Also in the mix, if they can make it, will be Sheffield’s elite squad members Bobby McMillan (pictured in blue helmet) and Damian Zareba. Those five could offer up some tasty racing. With nine age categories up for grabs, there could also be some fireworks for the other titles.
The under 16’s, under 19’s and Vets will all race in the open event (with the top scorer in each group crowned the champion). So in the under 16’s we have Sam Schofield (British No 2 under 16), Adam Watson (British No 3 under 16) and Niall Morton (Northern under 16 champion). Those three will also have a shout in the under 19 title along with Richard Hudson (British under 16 indoor champion), Kyle Holland and Aiden Owen (Northern under 19 runner up). The vets event will see home favourite Darren Kent looking to win the title for the fourth successive year. His main challenge is likely to come from Jason Burke, who is riding high in the Eurovets series. Unfortunately, the two events clash this year but Jason is to forego the long hike to Suffolk for the short hop to West Yorkshire. Sheffield’s Luke Morton (third last year) could also spring a surprise.
The Womens event could be quite intriguing. The potential line up could include Vicky Brown (British No 2), Laura Watson, Sandra Tamborksa and Ellie Sullivan. Anyone of the four are capable of taking the title, the spectators will be hoping all four can compete. Favourite for the under 13’s will be James Bunting (British No 2 and third in the BYJL under 14’s) but he will face a tough customer in Tom Whitwam. Tom races well above his years, and gave James some food for thought when pushing him all the way at Cookson earlier in the year. The under 8’s, 10’s and Girls under 12’s could potentially have any winner. Each club have been adding to their roster of riders in this age group, and all will depend on whom they can encourage to travel and compete. The home club will have Harvey Wells and Bella Naylor, while Hull can include Charlie Wade, Ed and Jack Lister. Plus many more and I’m sorry I don’t have your names to give a mention to. Sheffield will have Logan Perkins, Charlie Cottam and Jack and Joe Brownell (all of whom have raced in the BYJL) plus some newbies who will be having their first competitive racing.
All in all a great days racing is in prospect. Registration is from 12, with the Under 8/10/13’s likely to start at 12.30. The other racing will then start at approximately 2-2.30.
Many thanks to Rob Mawhood of Sheffield for the preview. If your club has a preview of an upcoming meeting of any kind, whether it be regional, elite league or individuals, all categories are welcome, please send to 3318news@gmail.com.