Cridland Displays the Winning Formula
Tuesday 11th March 2008
It was Go Go Go at Heffron Park on Tuesday night as FRF driver Luke Cridland pushed his Argon to red line to take the chequered flag. In a flashback to 2002 Austrian Grand Prix Bar Bici driver Liam Kelly backed off in the final sprint to allow Cridland to easily take the win over Kelly and third placed series champion Peter Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick bagged more vital championship points and looks set to take out the series and Giant looks set to win the constructor's championship over Argon and Trek.
After driving most of last week under the safety car, championship racing was back and B grade was heavy on the accelerator and light on the brakes. Eastern Suburbs new driver Kevin Black showed that the transition between teams has not taken any of the torque out of his ride. A grade in its usual style fired up their twin turbo, nitro charged engines and drove each lap like it was a qualifying round. After a few weeks of ending up at the back of the grid A grade was keen to take their rightful place back on top.
With the hammer down in all three grades it was not until the last few laps that all grades came together. Racing was fast and furious and on the last lap Kelly dropped the clutch and flew off the front in the back straight, Cridland used all his wits and went with Kelly as the two of them accelerated away from the bunch. Kelly shifted down a gear near the finish and Cridland was able to cruise over the line. Fitzpatrick showed his class and consistency and took third place and yet more championship points.
Fellow FRF driver Robbie Cater drove another good race to take fourth place and move into 5th place overall in the series, with the form he has been showing it is likely that more points will be forthcoming in the last three weeks. Kevin Black rode it like he stole it to take 5th place in his first race for Eastern Suburbs. Peter O'Connor showed that a few months of gardening leave is just what the Doctor ordered and was first unplaced B grader home. Matt Backhouse was 1st C grader home beating C grade big engine David Cobcroft.
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Results
1. Luke Cridland (Southern Cross - (A)) 7
2. Liam Kelly (Sydney - (A)) 5
3. Peter Fitzpatrick (St George - (A)) 3
4. Robbie Cater (FRF / NSWIS - (A)) 2
5. Kevin Black (Easts - (B)) 1
First B Grade over the line - Peter O'Connor - Easts
First C Grade over the line - Matthew Backhouse - Easts
Overall Pointscore Tally
Peter Fitzpatrick 21
Luke Cridland 13
David Cobcroft 12
Tim Willing 10
Tim Rice 9
Robbie Cater 9
Shaune Higgerson 7
Brad McGarry 7
Aaron Richardson 7
Andrew Matthews 7
Anthony Spurgeon 6
Matthew Backhouse 6
Peter McDonald 5
Adam Goc 5
Nathan Saunders 5
Brad Mills 5
Kevin Black 4
Shane Howley 3
John Ebeling 2
Chris Jory 2
Rogert Shackleton 2
Matthew Bozzanno 2
Luis Trueba 2
Stewart Campbell 1
Doug Hammond 1
Guilian Robertshawe 1
Warwick Edwards 1
Steven Foster 1
Kris Koke 1
To view the progressive tally across the series click here (report has been recently updated to include points from this weeks race 18.03.08)
The Cycling Projects Series continues every Tuesday at 6pm during day light savings. A 2008 racing license is required as is an Australian Standards approved helmet and some ticker. A Scapin frame is the major prize for the winner of the point score series.
Wet Weather Line
In the event of inclement weather please call 0424 824 959
For information on Tuesday night racing at Heffron Bike Track, Maroubra, visit the Cycling Projects Race Series page.
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Archived Reports
Eastern Suburbs were on the front of the grid
Adam Goc and David Cobcroft with the pedal on the floor
Luke Cridland on the front all day showing the sort of form that has seen him picked for the Australian team in the past
Have a look at the trees on the right and you know why everyone is strung out in the gutter
Cridland gets the flag as Kelly gives pit lane the thumbs up
Fitzpatrick edges out Cater for third
