Bob's Millennium Bug Race Results

by Bob Cruikshanks

or:

"You got to be in it and ring it - to win it"

Once again Bob’s lottery phrase – although not so catchy as last year - was "you got to be in it and ring it to win it". Ring it? You had to be at Berrow ’99 to understand.  Basically, money had been extracted, again, from several kite traders as an inducement to buggiers to enter the Monday – Friday race series.  The lottery was also opened up to the marshals and by the end of the week several skint peebs were begging to marshal in the hope of winning some beer tokens.  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, Sky Bums (Shrewsbury), Kite Magic (Lincoln), Kreative Kites (Newbury) and Mullin Kites (Old Amersham).  Compared with Berrow ’99 the numbers entering races, both novice and pro’ was up on previous years.

Race Results:

Monday - Race Sponsor - The Bristol Kitestore.

Monday’s weather was standard Berrow, yuck!  However, that said, 19 novices braved the elements and the break in the rain long enough to display their buggy skills.  Pete Swann (X-Zone) was keen to show his tail to the rest of the buggiers, taking the lead on the 2^nd lap he never looked back, so to speak.  With the persistent rain the pro’s race was put off until the following day.  Having got under way, the race lead was a tussle between Kingy’ and Steve Andrews with Mark finally picking up the first of several tankards (winners race prize).  The results for both series were:

Tuesday - Race Sponsor – Sky Bums.

The weather was an improvement on Monday.  The novice’s race saw another of the X-Zone boys, Andy Rogers, in contention for the top places.  The final results were subject to a stewards – some would say bastards – enquiry.  A certain bugger-y (no names mentioned) BBC No. 245 could only count to two when it came to flags.  It wasn’t until the next race that this bugger-y was seen to miss out on the third flag.  Makes the course shorter I suppose!!  From there on the stewards, marshals and sheriffs watched the bugger-y like a hawk, naughty Tim.  The pro’s race was less dramatic with local boy Stuart Maxwell, last year’s novice race winner, leading from the hooter.

Wednesday - Race Sponsors – Kite Magic.

The tides and the weather meant that the beach was wet but the winds were trying to blow the moisture away.  The novice race leaders fought it out to the end but Dave Peck, an ardent Kite Magic supporter, was keen to take the spoils, which he did with great delight.  In the pro race Mark K lead from the gun with Adi McCreery (311) and Stuart Maxwell weaving for the other places.  However, a mishap on the third lap caused Adi to slip well down the field and allow Steve M (otherwise known as Moose) pip Stuart at the line.

Having got the Boys racing out of the way there was a call (from the girls) for a ladies race. The call was duly announced by Chrissie Croft and taken up by two 'have-a-go' ladies; Annie Stratton and Vanessa Harmer. There were several declines - "I can't race it's too wet", "my kite doesn't match the colour of my jacket" plus a few unprintable. That said, the race between Annie and Nessa attracted a crowd and proved to be quite a tussle. Annie was away from the start but following a tumble, Nessa took the 1st lap and looked like holding on. However, Annie clawed her way back and claimed the 2nd lap and through dogged determination also the 3rd and final lap. Both racers received heartfelt cuddles and applause - plus offers of hot showers and rubdowns - but all credit to both girlies for racing in such dire conditions.

The winds on Wednesday were sufficient to set up a speed run but the wind direction was not (as expected) favourable.  With winds varying between 24 and 30 mph and a restricted short run the speed record (52 mph) was never going to be threatened – well only just!  Top speed on the day (48mph) was recorded by Stuart Maxwell in his Libre buggy using a Predator kite.  Also, with only a plank of wood and four small wheels between himself and the ground Jarren Flack (BBC 540) managed an incredible 40mph before using his backside to slow down and avoid the Berrow sh… mud.

Thursday - Race Sponsor - Kreative Kites.

Dave Tomlinson from Kreative Kites was on hand to see the best days buggying.  There was blue skies and wind – wonders never cease at Berrow.  Seventeen novices set off on a quest of glory and once again, the lead alternated between two riders with Andy Paine taking the chequered flag.  The pro race also had seventeen hopefuls.  Chris Lamb, after a years layoff, looked like holding off Mark K but Mark left it until the final lap before finding the turbo switch.  The near photo finish had Mark a sand-stakes thickness ahead of Chris.  Over the line, Chris then gave Mark a friendly one up the back – one being a bump from his front wheel.

With the series races out of the way thoughts were turned to other forms of entertainment. Two junior buggers - things that get stuck in yer boots when you step on 'em - were asked if they fancied their chances in a pursuit race. They - John McCreery and Phil Hoyland - were happy but more so their dads Adi McCreery and Mark. The course was set and the pursuit was on. Much encouragement was given and exceptional skills were displayed by both, very capable, lads. Someone had to lose and their dads will still be discussing it next year but, above all, they showed their potential and talent. Watch out Kingy, these kids will soon have their names on your trophies.

From juniors to old ..rts knockout pursuits. First up were two dads looking for revenge - Adi and Mark. Needless to say, Mark should take some lessons from Hoyland Jnr. Every round that Dave Peck (569) entered turned out to be an enduro'. Dave was working on the principle of wear 'em down not catch 'em up. The final was between Adi and Dave. Everyone was expecting a marathon with Dave involved but Dave's exhaustion and slick handling by Adi prove a winner for Adi McCreery.

From buggy pursuit to board pursuit. Many buggiers were displaying their skills on mountain/boogie boards. With little persuasion this skill was soon tested around the two-point pursuit course. The upstanding boarders were; Dave Stratton, Andy Wardley, John Eaton, Mike Shaw, Roger Aldridge, Mick Collins and Steve Passey. Being a knockout the running order was soon whittled down to produce a final between Andy Wardley and Mike Shaw. Had Andy been flying something with sticks and two short lines I'm sure he would have done better but as it was he came 2nd. With the number of people taking to boards it won't be long before we see racing purely for boarders only?

Friday - Race Sponsor - Mullin Kites.

The wind and weather was still being kind to us.  A grand total of 24 novice buggiers headed out around course.  Phil Hewitt, Kite Magic’s owner was in blistering form.  Phil was lapping riders on his second lap which was a clear indication that his days as a novice were coming to an end.  With almost half a lap lead there was little chance of Tom Gibson – another Kite Magic, Lincoln local – catching Phil.  With three tankards to his name Mark K was looking for a fourth to complete the set in the pro’s race.  However, Alistair Press was having none of it, having tasted near victory yesterday Alistair was away and in the lead from the start.  Having gained the upper hand he had no intention of giving up.  This left Mark and Chris to play follow-my-leader and talk about………….who wanted second.  That said, Mark was not about to lose his competitive edge so he went for the kill, well second place.

Saturday

With the race series over and little wind to do anything it gave Bob "you got to be in it and ring it to win it" C a chance to sort the final places.  The series-placing requirement was three race finishes, with the best three being used.  Throughout the week 47 novice buggiers had entered races, well up on last year.  Only eight novices had completed three or more races throughout the week and one of those was a lady bug-gier, Anne Stratton (BBC 299), well done Annie.  In the pro’s race 29 buggiers had given their kit and skills an airing.  With trophies and certificates awarded to the top three places the honours were as follows:

Millennium Bug Race Series Results

Most Improved Novice Buggier

(377) – Paul Martin

Final Word

It only leaves me to say many thanks to the race day sponsors, on behalf of all BBC members who attended this year's event, Bristol Kitestore, Sky Bums, Kite Magic, Kreative Kites and Mullin Kites and all other Millennium Bug Sponsors. I hope the lottery winners are back down your stores spending their winnings. Also, thanks to all those who marshalled, entered races/events or who had a hand in getting kites in the air or buggy's rollin', including you surfin' doods, because without your involvement I wouldn't have much to write about. BBC Berrow week is all about relaxing and having fun - I relaxed and had fun. Berrow 2001 - who knows????

Bob Cruikshanks