The Final race of the 2007 FNSS was a great end to a disrupted year. Made a counting round to ensure as many people as possible had a chance to get in the required 5 counting rounds for a series position, for once a few of the titles and many of the podium positions depended on the outcome.

 

80 plus riders showed the series was a popular as ever in its best attended year to date despite the worst summer the series has ever seen.

 

In the senior race Nick Jones and Paul Robertson only had to finish to take over the first and second spots in the series, and from the gun those two and last years champ Matt Barret headed the field.

Paul could not match the pace of the leading two who rode wheel to wheel for all seven laps before Matt as expected took the sprint finish on the uphill drag into the “arena” Nick took the series overall though and Paul with his solid third place moved into second overall knocking Adi Scott back to a series third.

 

In the Vets fast starting Phil Roach held on for almost a lap before teamates John McAndrew and Jef Sharp took over and easily pulled away. Again they circulated together scything through the senior field passing all but 5^th place. On the penultimate lap Jef pulled the pin and established a 30 second lead but with the Overall series in the bag eased back as John powered round on his last lap to pass him for his first ever FNSS win. Respect to John though who put in the fastest vet lap of the race on that final sprint.

 

Phil Roach hung onto third, whilst a race long battle for forth saw Keith Sperry hold off the hard charging "Rookie of the year" Steve Large.

 

Jef took the series overall championship, and with some consistent finishes newcomer Steve Large was second. The absent Matin Eadon slipped to third bidding a fond farewell to the series as he is moving up North in future.  John McAndrew’s win saw him leapfrog to 4^th overall

 

Steve Bunn who completed every one of the 9 rounds took a Grand vets win but could not change the overall position which went to Vic Barnett. Last years winner Rob Chaundy was third.

 

Martine Verweij had to finish tonight to secure the Ladies Overall prize, which she did with ease taking her 5th straight win with Lynne Coldray second on the night and overall too.

 

In the Youths Ben Roff racked up another win to keep his 100% record and take the series although James Harman pushed him hard and is one to watch out for in the future.

 

In the Junior Kristian Morris took yet another win and already had the series in the bag but again has to be congratulated (and his parents I guess) for completing every round, one of only two to do so.

 

So its all over for another year, keep registered here for the earliest posible updates on FNSS2008, and by all means please add comments on all aspects of the series

(Sorry its a bit dull. though i had  a few photos but they came out way to dark and blurred)

More from the bar-cam
Lightening fast start from Phil Roach chased by Gary Hill and others. I move up to fourth before my lungs Implode and I get out of the way to let others pass and disappear.
Notice the speed at which Steve Large (blue shirt) passes me and Gary Hill when he gets going, Rookie of the year for sure in FNSS 2007.

What I needed was for either Paul Robertson or Nick Jones NOT to turn up; both were present and correct on the strartline so I knew I was 'only' fighting for fourth in the championship and even that was not a foregone conclusion.

At the hooter I got an excellent start and soon moved into 4th place on the track, following Matt Barrett, Jones and Robertson.  Their pace was just too hot for me, so I settled down for a long chase with Lee Goodman in very close attendance.  We were just still just within sight of the leaders at the end of the first lap.  Goodman's bike was equipped with semi-slicks so he was just able to cruise behind me as we gently moved away from Jason Hucklesby in 6th. 

Disaster, I lost a brake pad at the start of lap 3, the front brake lever came right back to the 'bars as I braked for the start-finish complex.  Goodman had just moved past me for 4th, so I fought hard for the next lap with just a back brake but I was bleeding places all the time, Hucklesby came past and I 'retired' at the end of the lap.  Upon inspection of my brakes it appeared that the pad material had fallen off the backing plate, still leaving me something to use for retardation.  Back into the race then, excellent. 

By this time several other riders had come past so now it was real damage limitation time.  Brakes sqealing like a herd of strangled pigs and rubbing like a chuffing steam-train down the straights, I threw everything in passing Carl Dyson, Mike Cowland and Josh Ibett within the last two laps.  Thus I was 7th across the line, not improving my points tally but not for the want of trying.  It turned out I was just half a minute shy of Phil Hughes who was riding a 1991 Salsa (his usual Scott Strike having developed a fault in it's swing-arm), a good ride from him on an utter retro rig.

Fourth overall in the points table then, getting the nod over Goodman on 'count-back'.  At the start of the series I was aiming for "top 10 - POSSIBLY top 5", so fourth is more than I could have hoped for.  I was forced, through family illness, to miss a couple of races mid-season, and suspend training completely at the same time.  Also I reckon I'm one of the oldest, if not the oldest rider in the top 10 and hitting 39 next year it'll be my last year as a senior. 

See you next year dudes.

With the final race counting after all the weather problems we enter the final race with a grandstand finish promised in the Seniors class. 3 riders can still win it.

Twice previous winner Adi Scott leads at the moment on 240 but a win will up his score to a max of 243, but he can be overthrown by either Nick Jones or Paul Robertson.

Nick is reported to have a broken rib and we wait to see if how much he wants the title. Its complicated for Nick but if Adi or Paul dont win he could cruise round (for him) in 6th and still win the title.

Paul at the moment looks the favourite though, if Adi dosent win he only needs a top 5 to take the title, either way his job is simple keep Adi in your sights and the Trophy is yours.

John Smith will be using his run of good form to try and hold on to at least a top 3 placing while Jason Huclesby and Ian Whatling can jump up to a potential 4th with a top 4 placing as Lloyd Bettles is away on World masters duty in France.

In the Vets the battle is on between Steve Large and Martin Eadon for 2nd Spot, that will be a true head to head battle.

In the ladies Martine Verweij effectively only needs to finish to take the ladies title.

Hello to you all,

 

Just a short note to ask the riders & supporters of the series, has anyone got any floodlights of any sort they can bring along to the last round? Although we are a week ealier, it is still pretty dark by 9pm.

I don't mind hiring them for the evening or paying for the petrol for a generator, but if you can help, it would be most appreciated.

Yours

Neil Holman

CATS MBC & FNSS Co-Ordinator

Hi riders and canoeists,

Sorry I have been abit quiet on what is happening, but I have had no internet for 5 weeks, but I am now back on line.

Bulwick estates event will go ahead, no matter the weather, the course will be designed around what we can use.

The final round at Brixworth country park will now be a normal cross country race and will be counting towards the overall positions, so you will still need 6 to count, as well as the BBQ afterwards, conditions permitting.

Treads are sending me a refund cheque, so all their pre entries will receive a cheque from myself, Kettering CC are sorting theirs out themselves.

For those who haven't heard, the Rugby round, due to be held at St Andrews, will now be held on the Cosford again.

 

Yours, Neil Holman

Series Co-ordinator

Well to say the first 2007 FNSS race was hectic is a slight understatement, nearly 130 riders meant a split of starts for the first time ever. This must have been quite an introduction to some of the slower seniors as the vets and grand vets carved there way through the pack, subsequently your author here didnt see much of the action from the sharp end.
Previous Senior Champ Smiffy takes up the tale.

The start was a touch messy, Neil was quick on the hooter and I was swamped, perhaps 30th into the second lap around the paddock, having already seen a pile up on the first corner.  As we turned right at the timing tent and dived downhill I took the low route through 'the trench' and emerged at the far end just abreast of another rider who was so surprized by my sudden appearance he promptly rode into a wooden bollard, whoops!

It settled down once everyone was past the 'log jam' (sic), I could see the leaders had already gone, so it was a case of see how far up the field I could get.  I passed Ian Whatling/numplumz who is really getting bloody speedy, and I moved up onto the shoulder of Josh Findlay (OBRI) in company with Paul Robertson (Treads).  Robertson and I moved through into 5th and 6th, I made an effort on laps 3 & 4 to get past and hold 5th, but it wasn't to be;  the chase through from the start had blunted my speed and I had to settle for 6th, with Robertson still in sight ahead.  I was satisfied with the result, and have to concede that the field today was younger and stronger than me.  All around I was happy with the race, especially as the swingarm bearings in the Strike had called enough. 

Roll on the Bowl, hopefully this year I can get round without leaving bits of myself and bike all around the course!

Nick Jones (Team MK-TREK-Phil Corley) and  Matt Barrett (Lutterworth cycles)battled for the whole race and it came down to a sprint with Jones getting it by a tyres width as you can see by the photo.Rob Friel/Raleigh.co.uk finished off the podium in 3rd with Adrian Scott/FreeRideSpain.com chasing hard. Lloyd Bettles/Numplumz.com rode to a chilled 7th getting Josh Findlay/OBRI Coaching RT on the line.

Nadine Spearing in her new team colours for XCRacer (Trek) showed a good ladies field a clean pair of wheels for the win.

Ben Roach/Rugby Velo road up there with the fast Seniors as he took a comfortable win in the Junior section.In the Youths Ben Roff/Team Keyne and Bradley Burbridge/Kettering CC resumed last years battles.

In the Vets once the initial carnage had settled Jef Sharp/Ben Haywards OTH/KCNC.co.uk took over from his fast starting teamate John McAndrew as the pair continued with their domination of vets racing this year. Keith Sperry/Welland Valley CC gave chase but a few incidents slowed him in the later stages allowing Steve Large to break away from an early battle between  Gary hill/Cats MBC Jack Peterson/Numplumz and Phil Roach/Rugby Velo to overcome him for third for the flag.Gary grabbed 5th with a strong final blast up the hill holding the edge into the arena.10th Place went to Birthday boy Paul Brown/Kettering CC in his introduction to the competitive old boys cat.

In the Grand Vets Victor Barnett/Welland Valley CC and Tim Stowe/Mike Vaughan.co.uk joined in the vets Hill/Peterson/Roach battle showing considerable speed as Vic took a slim win, Last years champ Robert Chaundy/Team Keyne got third.

Photographs are now available for competitors or spectators to view and purchase at www.petercrightonphotography.co.uk/eventphotos.htm

Promoter: CATS MBC
Contact: Neil Holman
Facilities: On site Shop Pitsford cycles will be open late for business for the event. Full bike spares and all the kit available, please pay them a visit.
Full Toilet facilities on site.
Parking Info: Plenty of free parking on the night (normally pay and display during the day)
Race Terrain: Waterside tracks, field trails and climbs and some very loose gravel track descents. Fast and Furious
Lap Length: About 2.5 miles
Misc: Bring some wine or beer for the End of year Bar-B-Q, and a fleece.
Directions: Well signposted off the A508 Northampton to Mkt Harboro road.
North &East Use the A14 - take the A508 Northampton turning and head South on the A508 Once past Brixworth look out for signs on a roundabout for the Pitsford water/Brixworth country park

From the South/West - Note their is no exit to the A14 from the south M1 If on the M1 use junc 15a or 16 (A43/A45) and follow the Sixfield stadium directions towards Northampton. Then directions for Market Harboro A508 to approach Brixworth.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=475250&Y=269460&A=Y&Z=5