In spectacular style, Round One of the Australian HPV Super Series has been run and won. Although each category had its own convincing winner, it was the minor placings that created a furious finish and had the crowd screaming until the last gasp.
With Channel 7 filming the action (lead story on the evening news!), it was a day to remember. We’ve received plenty of messages and emails from teams and spectators saying how much they enjoyed the event - and, believe it or not, we even received an SMS from staff on the RAH Rescue Helicopter who flew over the track at one stage and said the scene looked magnificent from the air.
Back on the ground, everyone who took part had a blast, and the crowd of several thousand loved every minute of the action. All in all, it was an incredibly good event with lots of exciting racing.
So, let’s check out the results, category by category:
Category 1 (Primary):
The Flying Hubcaps from Aberfoyle Hub School - can anyone beat them? These superkids in blue raged to the front of the Primary School pack and never looked like being caught. Six hours later, in their awards acceptance speech, their Team Captain put their success down to their strong training program, their dedicated parents and supporters, and their tireless Team Manager Mr T. Obviously they’re doing something right – they won the Endurance Trophy by a massive four laps (6km). In total, they rode 104 laps (156kms).
The battle for second place in Category 1 was a nail biter. For the last hour, FIRE from Immanuel College held off a late challenging Red Baron (Hahndorf Primary School). In the end, FIRE held on by a lap, but not before their team supporters came close to losing their voices.
In the All Girls Teams competition within Category 1, a terrific performance from Cruising Hubcaps (Aberfoyle Hub School) saw them take first place, with a very solid 89 laps completed (133.5kms). And, how’s this for a stat: of the ninety-odd teams in Category 1, Cruising Hubcaps finished tenth overall (Endurance). Whatever the secret at Aberfoyle Hub School, expect more of it in Round 2.
The Fastest Lap honour in Category 1, however, went to the hard-charging FIRE (Immanuel College) with a time of 2 minutes, 52.2 seconds (2:52.2). Well done!
It must be said that every Primary School that entered the event did so with a great deal of enthusiasm and joy. There’s nothing like the excitement and passion these kids have when their team is racing – they should be very proud of their efforts at the race and in the build-up to the event. Everyone on the Australian International Pedal Prix Board hopes that every youngster, family member, manager, friend and school had a day they will always remember – you really are the future of this great sport. See you guys in Round Two!
Category 2 (Junior Secondary):
One word: ICE. Cool, classy and calculating, ICE from Immanuel College dished out an awesome performance. It was real show of strength and belief from the young outfit and their support crew. In the celebrations afterwards, it was all yellow shirts and big smiles as they accepted their trophies and medals for winning the Endurance Race. ICE rode 116 laps in six hours (174kms), winning by a huge margin of 6 laps (9km).
The race for second place was nowhere near as comfortable for Granite Growler (Wudinna Area School) and Heathfield 2 (Heathfield High School). In a finish that literally relied on pure courage, these two teams crossed the line almost side by side with just one lap to go. Exhausted, on their 110th lap (or, in other words, after 165kms), eventual honours went to Granite Growler, but Heathfield loomed like a storm cloud in its rearview mirror.
And spare a thought for the pilot of Concorde (Concordia College), who broke a chain on the final lap. Not one to give up, he created a unique Pedal Prix moment, reminiscent of the Olympic Games: utterly exhausted, he unstrapped himself, alighted from the vehicle and started to push it home for the last few hundred metres. The crowd, amazed at the scene, roared its encouragement – and when the Concorde finally crossed the line, the rider was greeted with massive cheers.
In the All Girls Teams competition within Category 2, it was a big day for SCR-1 (Scotch College). Completing 91 laps (136.5kms), they came 18th overall in Category 2. Now the girls can look forward to Round Two: back-to-back victory will now be one of their major goals.
It was another Immanuel College team that won the Fastest Lap award in Category 2: FUSION, with a time of 2:33.9. FUSION had a brilliant start to the race, and will surely fancy their chances of consolidating in Round 2, looking towards a podium finish.
Category 3 (Upper Secondary):
Well, well, well … these guys never give up. The Calais (Westminster School) has been a class act from day one. The Calais, sporting its new characteristic green Westminster design, was built entirely by the students, with Team Manager Richard Baird putting his faith in his very experienced and high-achieving team. Frequent winners of the Innovation Award at the Australian International Pedal Prix, The Calais ran the smoothest of races, completing 132 very fast laps (198kms). They won the same fixture last year – in 2008, can they go for three out of three? With the boys now in their final year of school, it’d be a huge thrill to win the 2008 Championship, a title which has eluded them by the narrowest of margins for the last two years.
Another team familiar with success finished second: Lucky (Gleeson College), riding a total of 126 laps (189kms). This builds upon the Gleeson reputation for HPV success – Lucky had a cracker of a season in 2007. In third place in Round 1, a solid ride rewarded Back in Business (HUB RACING TEAM), with 120 laps (180kms).
In the All Girls Teams competition within Category 3, Blur 1 (Loxton High School) was unstoppable. The girls finished with a total of 97 laps (145.5kms). This placed them 18th overall in their category (for Endurance) – an excellent race.
The Fastest Lap was clocked by Lucky of Gleeson College, who broke the 2½ minute barrier with a time of 2:27.6. Times like this might make the Endurance results of Round Two a lot closer.
Category 4 (Open Category):
It would be fair to say that there was an air of expectation in the crowd, coming into Round One, that Ballistic would give the Open Category a complete shake-up. But life is full of surprises, isn’t it?
Having never won a six hour event, BlueShift (tafeSA) came to Victoria Park with one goal in mind: to take the Endurance Trophy in Round One. And they did just that. In their streamlined HPV, they wrestled their way to the front, shaking off early heat from Ballistic. In the end, BlueShift was clinical, brilliant and oh so fast. After six hours, they completed 144 laps (216kms), winning by a total of 4 laps. As for the annual championship – they won it in 2005, and that was without winning a 6 hour event … could 2008 be the year of BlueShift?
Meanwhile, while BlueShift strutted its stuff, an absolute vein-popper of a battle was unfolding in the fight for second place. GT-6 (Deakin University Student Association) pickpocketed second place from Gary (Team Bluebird) with only minutes to go, and was able to hang on until the chequered flag was waved. Both teams completed 140 laps (210kms).
And the Fastest Lap? Even to the naked eye, it was easy to pick: Expats (Expats Racing) almost did the impossible: a sub-two minute lap. Their time – an amazing 2:00.3. Had Expats not lost a wheel during the race, would the results have been a lot different?
Speaking of wheels, Ballistic had a few troubles of its own. Team Manager Dave Malone – who generously awarded prizes to the category winners from his company (Ballistic) – said after the race that his team is looking forward to a much stronger result in Round Two.
Earlier, we mentioned what a credit the kids and the teams are to the spirit of the Australian Human Powered Vehicles Super Series. In fact, that of course goes for everyone who was involved in every category and every capacity, from competitors to volunteers to St John’s and The Lions Club, to Mums and Dads and teachers and our sponsors, with particular mention to The Adelaide City Council. We know that all of you expend an inconceivably large amount of time and energy on the HPV events. And, like you, we also know the rewards of such a unique commitment are long-lasting. With your team, you’re creating an incredible experience, building character, community spirit and a healthy sense of teamwork and belonging – what an amazing thing to encourage and role model to our kids. Genuine thanks go to you all from the Board.
So, now, let’s look forward to Round Two, July 27, 2008. There are seventy days between Round One to Round Two – that’s seventy days to reflect upon the first race and figure out a way to do it even better. It’s time to challenge yourself to obtain even greater heights, whether your goal is to reach the podium or score a Personal Best performance. It’s time to assess, to learn and to be even more inventive and ingenious.
In the meantime, make sure you keep your eye on the website for full results (via the link), pictures and brand new stories. And, if you have a special interest story, please email us, and our editorial team will be in touch.
Now, did somebody say seventy days between Round One and Round Two? Seventy days? That’s too far away! Bring on Round Two NOW! |
