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Addiscombe Cycling Club, JB Smith Memorial Road Race
Saturday 15th May 2000, Norwood Hill course, Leigh, Surrey.

The race was for 3rd and 4th Category riders over a course of five and a half laps, giving a total distance of 54 miles. The JB Smith memorial trophy was available because there is no Addiscombe open road race this year. Hopefully that will return soon. The usual BCF and Surreyleague points were available. Surreyleague ‘primes’ of two points each were also to be won at the top of the long drag to the finish on all bar the last lap.

Over seventy racers pre entered the event but with the awful weather on the day several did not bother getting out of bed. A few hardy souls arrived to enter on line so a full field of sixty riders started. Obviously they were hoping that the weather would change. However, the occasional shower and cold wind remained through out the race.

The fast pace and tough circuit soon took its toll on the less experienced competitors and within a few laps two of the four Addiscombe riders were having difficulty. Although Doug Rollins and Nick Mann both finished they found out how tough racing can be. Our Paul Tunnell, a second category vet. racer, was given a special concession along with a few other second category riders, to race in this promotion by the Surreyleague officials. He finished a lap down having punctured. Our fourth entrant, Mark Bayliss, still surprisingly a fourth category racer, was flying the club colours in fine style and was always at or near the front of the field. Unfortunately it was not his day as he punctured just over a lap from the finish. He hid his disappointment well. He had been in a very good position to challenge for the race win.

Gary Mikklesen also looked very strong and he won the last two ‘primes’. Despite his and a few others best efforts no break could stay away. This gave us a close race with a very exciting bunch sprint to decide the winner.

The final top three positions were as follows:-

1st Gary Mikklesen Charlotteville Cycling Club 2 Hrs 14.00 Mins 2nd Paul Atkinson VC St Raphael Same time 3rd Keith Parvin VC Bayeux Same time

A few days after the race I spoke to Gary Mikklesen and he was very generous in his praise of our club. He asked if we were promoting any more races this year, as he would definitely enter them. He liked the course but he also said and I quote “All the Lead Car drivers did an excellent job and so did all the Marshals. It was all very professionally run”

It has to be said that all the members who helped did a marvelous job. I would not normally mention individuals but you deserve it. Thank you all very much indeed.

All our racers who entered offered help knowing that this event was our duty to the Surreyleague and was not strictly for our riders benefit.

Paul Tunnell, Mark Bayliss, Doug Rollins and Nick Mann.

All the drivers and this includes a few with very little experience in these responsibilities.

Lead Car Dave Palmer ably assisted by Holly, Marks girlfriend. Com 1 Mike Rivett with Commissaire Gordon Higgingson 2nd Lead Car Andy Montgomery ably assisted by Pam, Doug's partner Com 2 Ron Alfacre with Assistant com Liam Mcloughlin, and Bob (Ron and Bob even helped clean up the hall when we finished)

The Marshals out in horrible weather, it was so wet I bet they all shrank a couple of inches. Each and every one are stars. Not one swearword, curse or moan. Well not to me anyway. I love you all. From the first corner……

Gus Andrews recovering from a heavy chest cold, sounded awful a few days before, Jim Trenowdon- He was so cold I lent him a jumper, Stan Brown With Joan in attendance, still barely recovered from broken bones Joe Wand with an Old Ports member helping at Parkgate. John Watts As soon as I said thanks, he said “will you help at the open 25”. Steve Bayliss (Gore Bikeware) racing the next day but still helped, I dare say against team orders. Gus Luthwaite, Peter Tunnell, Ernie Oakford - At the bottom of Stan Hill, in the rain; horrid.

The catering team - is there any one else who is taken more for granted? I doubt it.

Chris Watts. Chris spent days cooking loads and loads of trays of puddings and cakes Our Joyce again, loads of cakes and made gallons of tea, then washed it all up. Space here left for Eddie, I know he would have helped if he could but he had another promotion previously committed to. He was certainly missed.

As I am sure you all know this was my second promotion and I believe it passed off a little bit more smoothly than the first one. I feel very fortunate that there were no serious incidents to report and generally the day was enjoyable even with the weather as it was. The only negative feedback I got was that some believed that the race should not have been open to any second category riders. I share those sentiments, this is a special concession that I feel should not be considered for this course, nor for this type of event.

I would like to say the biggest thank you of all to Joyce for being so supportive and helpful to me. I hope that the experience did not put any of you off road racing and that we can do it all again next year. Well done and thanks again. Hopefully John would have approved.

Keith Knight

Road Race Secretary Addiscombe Cycling Club