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Bob's Big Race Resultsby Bob Cruikshanksor: Yes folks, the buzz phrase at this year's Berrow '99 Power Break was "you got to be in it to win it". The background behind this was simple, well almost. As an inducement to get people buggying, in races, several kite traders had their arms twisted hard enough to put up some of their hard-earned dosh. However, in keeping with the spirit of the BBC and Berrow, instead of giving the money as prizes for doing well in the race Mad John Eaton came up with the idea of giving everyone who entered (and started) the race a chance of winning the cash prizes. Hence the Berrow '99 Power Break Lottery was born. Three prizes were drawn for each novice and pro' race; £15, £10 and £5. Each days racing (Monday to Friday) was sponsored by a different trader, these were: The Bristol Kitestore, Kite Magic (Lincoln), Kites Up/Hi! (joint sponsorship), Kreative Kites (Newbury) and Mullin Kites (Old Amersham). As with previous Berrow's the results counted towards the novice and pro' series. Race Results:Monday - Race Sponsor - The Bristol Kitestore.Due to the weather being a nightmare the results of Sundays racing was used for both the series and the Lottery entrants.
Tuesday - Race Sponsor - Kite Magic.The weather was light winds with very wet conditions (sand, kites etc) which made for a mare of a start for the novices. During the novices race the wind tailed off making the job of flying wet sandbags very difficult. Out of the 18 starters only 4 buggers/iers finished. The pro race didn't fare any better with half the starters retiring.
Wednesday - Race Sponsors - Kites Up & Hi! Bob.The weather and beach was still damp but the winds were beginning to improve. First and second positions in the novice race were set from the start but the rest of the field put on a good spectacle with all but 4 of the 16 starters finishing. The pro's race had a handicap start system, anyone placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in previous days racing started 50m behind the rest of the field. The slight head start for Pete Russell over the previous winners enabled Pete to hold the lead throughout. From 6th place on the first lap Andy S carved his way thro' the field to pip Mark K on the line for 2nd place.
Thursday - Race Sponsor - Kreative Kites.The weather was beginning to show its teeth. Winds blowing +15mph and gusting above 20mph meant that buggiers, having spent their money earlier in the week on big kites now had to consider spending more to equip themselves with something resembling a handkerchief (1m - 2m tops). In the novice race even when he jumped the start, Andy Wardley, on a mountain board, still only managed 2 laps and, Dave Roberts' (293) marshalling proved a test for the discerning novices. The pro race proved to be a tussle between the previous day's top 3 with Andy S taking the honours in the last stretch from Mark K.
Friday - Race Sponsor - Mullin Kites.The wind was still kickin' arse, literally. Several injuries had been sustained by buggiers being caught by sudden gusts. The worst was a broken collarbone, ouch! However, this did not put off the hardened runners 'n riders, the novice race had its biggest start (and finish) with 20. Where's the photo finish when you need it? It would have been bigger if the Mullin boys had got to the start line with their buggies instead of playing with those stick kites. After a reasonably clean start the novices provided a grand spectacle with a stream of kites heading for the first marker. The handicap start for the pro race wasn't really needed. Due to the macramé generated by the pros at the start Mark K was penned in. Not one to get flustered Mark bided his time and set about catching the field, starting almost 1 lap down he used all his skill to take the chequered flag.
SaturdayThe winds were up and down. At the start of the Brean Sands Challenge - the big race - the winds started to desert the beach. Tony F (234) gave everyone a demonstration of Buggy Rage by abusing his very placid, or should that be inactive, kite a verbal beating. Something to do with intercourse and female genitals. Anyway, after a chorus of "Why are we waiting" from the buggiers Tony F got a replacement up and the big race duly started. The sand ripples proved enjoyable for Annie "give us a wiggle" WJ (soon to be Stratton) who couldn't stop giggling as she came through the gate. What no prize for the only girlie? As the results show, Tony F obviously abused his kite throughout the race. 41 buggers completed at least one lap and many did 4 or 5 laps. The top ten placing in order were:
Berrow '99 Power Break Race Series Results
Best Improved Buggier(394) - Jack Stewart Bob Cruikshanks |
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