BYR finally competes at Maryborough ... the Maryborough Invitational that is! By Micallef
The Bendigo Youth Racing boys participated in the 2007 Maryborough Invitational held on the Australia Day weekend by the Maryborough HPV Enthusiasts - taking home first, second, a new record (with $100) and first in the raffle! In the refined BY-06:MKII Micallef & Rown hit 96 km/h on the straights and averaged almost 60 km/h!
It’s a low-key 63 km time trial in the heart of Victoria along the Maryborough – Avoca road. With nothing but the clock to race, the event was a very casual affair for Bendigo Youth Racing - and it showed when it was realized that not one spare wheel was brought on the trip!
Hoping for a puncture-proof run, Michael “Mega-Pixel” Micallef was the first of two BYR riders to have a crack at the slightly hilly course. Michael eventually crossed the finish line (and half of Maryborough’s C BD by accident) in 1 hour 12 minutes (Average- 54.1km/h, Top Speed- 95km/h), slashing 23 minutes from the total-time record, set in the 2006 event by Deakin University’s Phantom P3.
Michael was very pleased with his run - “The vehicle was fast and I felt fast today. I was pretty impressed with the speed BY-06 was able to carry up hills. It climbs better then any diamond frame I’ve ridden!” Micallef explained. “I had to fight pretty hard to keep it on the road at those speeds. There were so many changes of surfaces and dips in the road that if you weren’t careful it would be quite easy to have a rollover!”
Rowan “Old Bluey” Nankervis was the last rider to tackle the route, but not before the (lack of) spare wheel issue came back to haunt the team. It was found that the rear tire was worn down to the strings, meaning a new tire had to found. After an hour of searching, a Maryborough local by the name of Dominick “Dom” Jackson finally came up with the goods. We can’t thank you enough, Dominick.
Rowan eventually completed his run, knocking a further 7 minutes off Michael’s time to record 63km in 1 hour 5 minutes (Average- 59.1km/h, Top Speed- 96km/h).
“That was really fun. I was doing 96km/h just outside of Avoca at one stage! I didn’t think I’d enjoy an event like this, but it was just as exciting as a 24hr I think.” Rowan said later.
Deakin University ’s Phantom GT recorded the 3rd fastest time for the day, taking several minutes off their PB set last year. Well done, Tim.
Rowan Nankervis not only took home first place, but also the 100 dollar prize for the rider to beat last years record.
With placings as follows:
First overall - Rowan Nankervis
Second overall - Mick Micallef
Third overall - Tim Corbett
Most innovative- Ken Houghton
Best junior - Aaron
… and BYR topped off a great day with Daryl King winning the raffle!
Bendigo Youth Racing would like to thank the Maryborough HPV Enthusiasts Inc for organizing the event, fellow team member Mark Davey and his car for protecting BY-06’s tail on the open road; All BYR members for cheering on the riders all day; and Dominick Jackson for providing what seemed to be the only disused Tioga Comp Pool in all of Maryborough!
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