TT Sec Report – 2021 Season
First of all I would like to give a massive vote of thanks of all those members who have given up so much time and put in a massive effort to ensure we had a successful Time Trials season – particularly when most of the season was impacted by Covid restrictions.
Whilst overall numbers taking part in our TT’s seem to have gone up, the number of SCC riders has gone down compared to previous seasons. Even so, some very good performances have taken place with a number of members recording PB’s
In addition to the Open 10 mile TT – more later- we had 15 Evening 10 mile TT’s and 2 x 25mile TTs. 3 x 10s were lost due to bad weather, and 1 x 25 was lost due to road works and a ‘non counting’ 10 was hastily re-arranged.
The Open 10 Mile TT was held on Sat 29th May ( Bank Holiday). And despite covid restrictions it attracted a field of 110 riders from all over the country. It was won by Alex Royle of the Manchester BC with a course record of 19.43. Debbie Moss of Team Merlin took the female award with a time of 22.35 Former SCC member Conor McKinnon was 3rd with an Espoir course record of 20.08.
There were Juvenile records for 15 year old Reuben Corlett of Birkenhead North End, and 14 year old Evelyn Field of Liverpool Century. The event was sponsored by Simon Deeley at CCN Sport, who in addition to providing prize vouchers, also provided a set of disposable race numbers.
Full details of income and expenditure have been submitted to the treasurer
The final result was a surplus of £407.26 to club funds
The Evening TT series
Over the season we held 17 out of a possible 20 events including 2 x 25 mile TT’s
3 events were cancelled due to inclement weather
458 riders have faced the starter (140 riders from 39 clubs)
23 Southport Riders have also ridden at least one event – includes a couple of youth riders.
After expenses and payment of the CTT rider levy, the Evening TT series produced a surplus of over £800
The 10 mile course is gaining in popularity – and can claim to be the fastest in Lancashire after Simon Wilson of Ribble Weldtite demolished the course record with a time of 18.22 towards the end of July.
Hill Climb – Ashurst Beacon
An inclement forecast and a number of other factors meant that only 8 riders faced the starter, and they were rewarded with dry conditions (well it stopped raining). Joe Wilson won by more than 2 minutes from Mike Rimmer in a new club record time of 6m 5s. Carole James was fastest Lady, and special mention must be made of Melissa Moscrop (age 12) for her time of 13 m 4s. Afterwards around 30 members made their way to the Applecast where we presented medals, and enjoyed a buffet lunch. Joe Wilson subsequently tested positive for Covid the following day – which no doubt explains why he did not break the magic 6 minute barrier! – and thankfully no-one who was at the social tested positive for Covid afterwards!
A few SCC members have taken part in Open events around the country chasing PB’s and some even succeeded.
Neil Laing and his daughter Olivia travelled all the way to Thruxton in Hampshire to compete in the National Closed Circuit TT championships, where Olivia gained an Age Group award (8 years). A future star in the making.
At the other end of the spectrum, Special Mention goes to local barber Rob Rix for returning to competition at the age of 73 after an absence of many years (following surgery) and riding events from 10 miles through to 12 hours. Just goes to prove that age is no barrier if you want to keep testing yourself.
I’m stepping down as TT Sec at the end of this year – however I will still be organising our Open 10 and an Open 25 during 2022.
The Open 10 is scheduled for Sat 28th May 2022
The Open 25 is scheduled for Sunday July 3rd 2022
I’ve also submitted details of a 15 Mile TT course to CTT ( based on the D25/5 25 Mile TT course) that starts and finishes near Sollom on the A59, and goes to Banks R/A via Holmeswood. It might be worthwhile including a couple of 15’s in our evening TT schedule for 2022 – just to add a bit of variety.
Neil Langridge has volunteered to take over TT Sec duties next season, and I’m sure he will do a fine job. (I didn’t have to twist his arm too hard) I trust that club members will give Neil just as much support and encouragement as I have received these past 5 years.
Alan Stark
