Hi everyone and I’m sure many of you are hoping to have a bit of a break over Easter to even just catch up on bits around the home. But while chocolate and a long weekend seem priority for many, our tireless club devotee Allan Dunn and his family – along with a dedicated band of volunteers – will be on fire with a smart field of entries for the 21st Vital Signs Tour de Lakes. It is always great to see this happening around the Central, Lakes and Fiordland areas with their stunning scenery to bolster everyone along for the ride.
Good luck to all those taking part and the team making it happen – we applaud you!
Dangerous Road Racing Behaviour
It was great to see the George Wilson and Sons/Southland Farm Machinery Gore to Waikiwi Classic run again on Saturday, along with the annual Curtis Dunn Junior Memorial race. Well done to all who took part. We have some photos from the day but due to a team injury the race report for the senior race is still to follow. We will circulate this once it’s completed. Huge thank you again to Allan Dunn for making this race happen again and upholding the beautiful memory of Curtis. Also great thanks to George Wilson and Sons and Southland Farm Machinery for again coming on board for this annual classic.
It is then unfortunate to have to say road racing comes with rules and riders crossing the centre line and being on the wrong side of the road in the senior race on the Hedgehope-Glencoe Highway was brought to the attention of the Police. This is not acceptable and taints the reputation of the whole club so please, please ensure you adhere to the rules or our road racing programme could suffer as a result. Also a racing rollout system is to be developed and implemented which will also be followed at future classics and competitive events.
Upcoming Racing
This weekend there is no racing due to the break. There will be the third race in the Southern Points Series on 2 April on the Hedgehope-Dacre circuit. Then the Southland Road Champs will be held with the Time Trial on Saturday 9 at Branxholme and the race on Sunday 10 meeting at the Mabel Bush Hall race the Woodstock circuit. Both events will be sign in at 1pm with 1.30pm race starts.
Next Wednesday 30 March the Wednesday Worlds will be the final South Port Criterium at the Dalrymple Street-Balmoral Drive circuit. Juniors are to sign in at 5.15 for a 5.30pm start and seniors start from 6pm. Assemble at the Appleby Cricket Club.
Junior Division Meeting Tonight
Head along to the Ulmer Lounge at 6.30pm tonight for a Junior Division meeting with the provisional agenda to include:
Financials
U19/Elite Nats report - Sid
U17 Nats report - Dave/Gerald
Jnr Worlds Riders Payments
Baxter and Neilson 2016
Road Camp 2016
Coaching/Track Time 2016
2016 AGM and succession planning
Yunca 2016
General Business
Easter Break Hours
The office will be closed from Thursday 24 March until Tuesday 29 March inclusive to observe an extended Easter break and Southland anniversary day on Tuesday, when the Stadium will also be closed. The track will still be open on Thursday for those booked in but Friday, Monday and Tuesday the velodrome will be closed. We will return refreshed and re-energised for the coming months.
Finally huge congrats to Paracyling pilot Laura Thompson and her stoker Emma Foy who have defended their World Championship title for the second consecutive year read more about it all here Congrats ladies that is another mighty fine job!
That is about all for this instalment so until next time, don’t eat too much chocolate and good luck Dunny for another mighty fine Tour de Lakes
Take care everyone