Mark rides again. And again. And again!

Mark Ottaway is looking to gain that elusive 1st cat licence - and obviously the free pair of shorts and jersey that comes with it - this year and has started the season quite early. Here's his update:

"I have raced all the Hillingdon winter series, first race was not good finished 26th, 2nd race came 14th and 3rd race 5th, 4th race -15th, I wanted to improve at Hillingdon but I was not happy with Saturday's race.

Race broke up very early and lots of little groups but I did not commit, thought it would come back together, and just waited for the sprint, but could not get by Owen Lake, if only my nose was a fraction longer would have got 14th.

Hog Hill on Saturday was very fast in places, felt good even after slogging up the hill time after time, and on the sprint Owen Lake was once again in front, and I finished 4th.

Back at Hillingdon on New Years day and maybe Hog Hill Saturday, have not done much training apart from rollers, weather has not been too good Im getting soft lately, but I figure if I do 4x races in a week that's good interval training.

Upavon starts 9th Jan hoping to race there and then get to Hillingdon in the afternoon then race at Fowlmead on Sunday !!!!!!!! I am looking forward to racing at Dunsfold this year and doing more Surrey league events."

Day Family Expands

Chris adds twins (one of each) to his expanding family. Well done Mrs Day and congratulations from all of us.

The crazy costume didn't appear to "hamper" santa's progress on Boxing day, and freshly fueled with brandy and mince pies, our Christmas Caper King rode a "cracker" to place another top ten at Hillingdon.

Willing helper Rudolph Ottaway placed a respectable 15th.

Obviously Tim "Elve"erson, St Nick Upshall, and Justin Ho! Ho! Ho! Hoy found the weather a "trifle" cold and decided give the race a miss.

ps New comedy writers required, please apply in writing...

Lost for words.

http://www.mstina.co.uk/news/

Member expulsion notice.

We have been asked to post this notice by club officials in line with club rules. A recent meeting of the club disciplinary committee decreed that (with some regret) Nicholas "Mint" Upshall shall be expelled from VC Meudon and shall cease to represent the club from today's date nor wear club kit at any time in public. This follows an incident in contravention of club rule 12 (part b) - matters relating to taste. The afore mentioned transgression (see photo evidence) was not undertaken as a commercial exercise and the defendent's claim that "It is a bit of fun, I'm going to drive across Europe with a friend whose car has an identical sticker thing" was rejected as a pisspoor excuse.

SE cross - What the papers say.

Our intrepid reported K. Brooks reports from the pits:

"Despite being huddled together discreetly in the corner of the 1970’s styled diner that Ipswich Witches Speedway supporters call their clubroom we still could not escape the sharp eyed papparazi as an elderly gent with a full grey beard, NHS glasses, Farnborough and Camberley style oversize woollen tracksuit top and woolly hat slid up to us and boldly said to me “were you the winner?”. Now I know I don’t always look my age but with both Dilksey and Newall either side of me I think it was pretty clear that it was more likely one of them.

Stepping quickly back and pointing out Jamie to the guy he introduces himself as a member of the press and produces from somewhere under the oversized top his clip board and pen….”can I ask you a couple of questions” he sez which is not the correct thing to say to Jamie who starts to tell the man from the press his life story, how he got into ‘cross, his training methods, who he works for, details of his new car, how the race went and some family background. The man from the press made some notes, not exactly copious but I did see at least three words. “I don’t normally do this but I was at the Tricycle Association agm yesterday in London and I’m on my way back home”.

He thanked Jamie and wandered off looking for other stars telling us that his full report will be in the Ipswich Evening Star this week (not available in Surrey).

We endured the prize giving, the guy presenting the prize had more money filled envelopes than Keith Butler did at the SL agm and it took a full 15mins to get to Jamie, and then made a hasty retreat out of the building to se it there in its full splendour….The Trike, complete with saddlebag, he had obviously ridden to London for his rendezvous and then was riding back to the land where tricyclists live.

Oh the glamour of ‘cross!!!!!!!!!!!"