CLUB NEWS: A busy weekend of GP style racing for the Hawks

HETHERSETT HAWKS / YELLOW BRICK MORTGAGES had a busy weekend of Grand Prix style racing. On Saturday 18 members travelled to Ipswich for Round 3 of the South-East Grand Prix which for some categories doubled up with a Regional Round of the British Youth & Junior League. Hethersett’s points tally in the latter means they look certain to qualify as a Club for the National Rounds for the first time in many years.

Some riders, especially those making their debuts there, found the fast, banked track difficult to adjust to but will have gained useful experience. Five riders reached “A” Finals with Nyla El-Labany (Under-8s) Aiesha Musa (Girls) and Glyn Morgan (Vets) achieving third places and Amelia Dodson (Girls) and Dave Martin (Vets) finishing fourth.

Full Hawks results –
Team – Kesgrave 114 Hethersett 67 Ipswich 41 Hellingly 39 Norwich 11 Gt.Blakenham 6
U8s – Nyla El-Labany (A – 3rd) Isaac Emms (B – 2nd) Henry Everson (B -4th)
U10s – Ronnie Harding (B -2nd) Arlo Davies (B – 3rd) Alfie Gunn (C – 2nd) Neve Snook (C -3rd) George Snook (D -1st)
U12s – Lola Martin (B – 2nd) Luca El-Labany (B -4th) Austin Brailey (C – 3rd) Jamal Musa (C -4th)
U14s – Matthew Sidell (B 2nd) Hugo Kemp (B – 3rd)
Girls – Aiesha Musa (A – 3rd) Amelia Dodson (A -4th)
Vets – Glyn Morgan (A -3rd) Dave Martin (A -4th)

Round 4 will be at Hellingly on 10th June.

The following day it was a squad of 18 again who competed in Round 3 of the Norfolk GO-RIDE and Grand Prix series at Harford Park. Series leaders consolidated their positions by winning their categories with the exception of Nyla El-Labany who withdrew after a fall. This left the gold medal up for grabs which was duly won by a beaming Isaac Emms. Oscar Copeland is coming under increased pressure from Arlo Davies in the Under-10s.

Full Hawks results –
U10s – Oscar Copeland (A – 1st) Arlo Davies (A 2nd) Alfie Gunn (A 3rd) Thomas Barnard (A -4th)
Isaac Emms (B – 1st U8 – 1st) Henry Everson (B – 2nd U8 2nd) Dakota Ridge (B – 4th) Nyla El-Labany (C – 1st ns U8 3rd)
U14s – Aiesha Musa (A – 1s) Luca El-Labany (A – 2nd U12 1st) Lola Martin (A – 3rd U12 2nd) Amelia Dodson (B – 1st) Austin Brailey (B – 2nd) Hugo Kemp (B – 3rd) Jamal Musa (B – 4th)
Seniors – Mason Martin (A – 1st U16 1st) Dave Martin (A – 4th) Katie Adams (B – 3rd)

Round 4 will be at Hethersett on Wednesday June 7th.

The previous weekend Glyn Morgan finished second behind series leader and reigning British Over-60s Champion Phil Gard in the Eurovets Over-60s round at East Park. Third place in the Over-50s final too meant a real test of stamina – a seventh ride and a number of restarts on the biggest track in the UK!! Next up in this series is Exeter on 24th June.

Lola Martin made a long trip to Bury in Greater Manchester for the Women’s Battle of Britain. With the home region short of riders she guested for the North & Scotland gaining a lot of experience paired with British Champion Emily Burgess. She went on to win the Intermediate B Final in the Grand Prix Series. The next round is not until 24th September at Ipswich.

Only action this weekend is for Mason Martin at the Southampton Junior Grand Prix.