Just 3 weeks out from the most anticipated race of the year the Bendigo Youth Racing team last night rolled up to the Bendigo Harness Racing club to host our annual Warehouse Sales raffle.
As the first race for the night got underway, so was our raffle with the major prize of an LCD HD TV very popular with the large crowd. We received a very steady flow of people all willing to spare a few dollars to support our 2009 Murray Bridge Campaign with one guy buying $50 worth of tickets! It took about 20 minutes to write out his details on all 30 tickets!
As the night progressed, so did the weight of the money tin with the team taking in over $1000 for the night. This is very welcome income to pay for the final touches required to get BY-09 to the start line.
It was a very successful night and we would like to thank Darren McPhail from Warehouse Sales Electrical for his continued support and for organising the night. We'd also like to thank Lorraine Lea Linen for the second prize and Bertochi Smallgoods for the 3rd prize meat tray.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to race day.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
BYR on a Winner at the Trots
Friday, 28 August 2009
Dave's thought of the week (#1)
"Right now, BYR could take down an antelope."
We're not entirely sure what this means, but that's Dave for you.
He felt as though this could be his contribution to our Blog.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
BY-09 Revealed
The new BYR vehicle, titled "BY-09" was today put through its paces for the 3rd week running at the Bendigo Saleyards.
We also decided that it was time to remove the smoke screen and reveal our new weapon. So with 4 weeks to go here it is!
We also decided that it was time to remove the smoke screen and reveal our new weapon. So with 4 weeks to go here it is!
Aims of our Test Day with Flora Hill Secondary College
The team arrived for a 12pm start along with the Flora Hill Secondary team who also joined us out on track with their new vehicle 'Furious George'. The main objective of the session was based around getting some decent hours for all of our riders to acclimatize to the new smaller vehicle, as well as getting some kilometres into the trike before September.
More importantly to ride into the night and test some solutions to our "Achilles heal" of previous visits to Murray Bridge, which many of you would already know is fogging!!!
So first up was Nigel who saddled up for his first decent ride in the new vehicle who completed a solid 45 minutes until he got a puncture around the back of the circuit.
Nigel handed the reigns over to Troy who is a new addition to the team for Murray Bridge 09. As the day progressed and we all got a decent stint in 'BY-09', which is requiring time in the vehicle to make the transition from our previous design.
We are all starting to get a better idea of the of the vehicle boundaries and riding it is beginning to feel somewhat 'normal'.
BY-09 in action at Night.
So all in all we were happy with how the day went as we reflected on what happened and what more could be done to fine tune 'BY-09'.
Monday, 10 August 2009
First Vehicle Test Session for 2009
Bendigo Youth Racing conducted the first of many scheduled testing sessions on the weekend.
Saturday was the first time our new vehicle had been tested in full race trim, including the new canopy design.
The feedback from the riders was very promising, as they reported:
- improved acceleration,
- top speed,
- cornering and
- comfort
as the most significant improvements from previous designs.
Plans are now in place to improve some sections of the vehicle as well as conduct some night testing over the coming weeks.
Above: The open, smooth tarmac of the Bendigo Saleyards awaits Bendigo Youth Racing's new 2009 rig.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
How do you pick a team?
In Human Powered Vehicle racing, you only have 8 riding positions.
So how do you choose the riders from 10 fit, experienced and committed guys?
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| Our 2008 Australian International Pedal Prix Team. Pic from Pics08 Gallery |
It's just not cricket...
It's not like footy or cricket where you can miss a week or a test and be back in the team for the next game.
We only race once or twice a year at best and we spend up to 10 months building our vehicles from scratch too. There's too much riding on it to sit one out. (pun intended)
We're not in the pro-peloton
It's not like a pro cycling squad either, who can pick their teams for the Classics, Tours or One-Day races based on riders strengths and race styles.
We are all HPV racers.
History Repeating?
In the past for Bendigo Youth Racing, we've rarely had an issue of too many riders.
In fact, Wonthaggi in '07 is the only time that we can recall where one rider elected to sit out.
In most cases our teams have come together in the final few weeks when the top 8 has become kinda obvious.
At other races, we have taken members to ride who were underdone fitness-wise because we simply didn't have a fully fit eight.
With 6 weeks to go, we've got 10 - 11 guys pushing for selection:
(in alphabetical order)
- Adam 'Gavin' King
- Cal Ridge
- Daryl 'Daz' King
- Dave Maud
- Deven Pearce
- Nige Preston
- Jarrod 'Chooka' Henderson)
- Troy Hutchins
- Charles (Mark Anson)
- Matt Anson
Here's some selection models we're looking at:
- What do you think is the best method?
- What experience have you had with your teams?
- Team Poll
Each team member nominates their top 8 riders - either rated 1-8 or simply 8 names on a slip. The votes are tallied and the results announced. Daz suggests that people need to be "honest and ‘think of the victory" when selecting their preferred rider line-up. They should choose "the 8 quickest riders who will bring the vehicle home safely."
- Selectors Panel
Similar to Cricket Australia I suppose, where a group of senior team members, ex-riders and neutral team friends choose the 8. "It's tough to do this way because you are choosing between friends and we're all deeply committed mates who have put in loads of work. It could be very personally scaring."
- Ride-Off
Either in a vehicle, on a road bike or on a wind-trainer, each rider is subjected to individual tests. Best 8 times get the places.
"I don't really want to have one hour time trials in the race vehicle, because it will just end up on it's lid." BYR President Jarrod Henderson explained.
- Self-Select
We could simply wait until the final few weeks of our lead-up and those who are illness and injury free would either 'self-select' or 'self-omit'.
- What do you think is the best method?
- What experience have you had with your teams?
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