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Wilson Shield TT
Sproatley - 6th June 2006
Time Trial Series
The closest result yet!
Another nice night, another bumper turn out (29 riders) and only 1 DNS - thanks it makesevery ones job easier when there aren't loads of amendments to the start sheet.
The float night that everyone keeps waiting for didn't quite materialise but at least it was dry and sunny even if it was a little cool and breezy. It was a night for the the strong riders to show on the slightly undulating roads around Sproatley. The southerly wind meant that most of the course was affected by side winds with very little back or head wind. Personally, I found it a strange night as the long finishing straight from Sproatley that should have been headwind, felt like the fastest part of the course- bizarre!
No great surprises in the finishing order but the closest result yet between the top 2 riders. Chris Whitelam turned in yet another Ulrich style ride to motor to his sixth straight victory and remains unbeaten in solo events this year. 32 min 58 seconds to cover 14 miles is good going on a drag strip but on these roads with 3 square corners, umpteen little drags and poor road surfaces its phenomenal. But look at the gap to second place rider our own Ivan Basso - Andy Barnes - just 10 seconds (less than 1 second per mile). Andy continues to amaze me with his times and is certainly the most improved rider over the last few years. He actually lost 16 seconds on the first lap but pulled back 6 of those on the second lap. Just under a minute behind Chris, Steve Macklin turned in another solid performance for third place.
A minute behind these two, Dean and Paul were separated by 2 seconds for 4th and 5th places with Mark Robinson a further 20 seconds adrift.
Only 90 seconds covered the next 6 riders, comprising Calum, John Lockwood, myself, Andy peers, Matty and Nathan Chester.
Calum's ride is especially noteworthy and showed a marked improvement over the last event and gave him maximum points in the Juvenile section, with Matty second and Vince third.
Vince's ride was slowed by an 8 second late start and also an unshipped chain but it is unlikely to have affected the finishing order.
Dave Jacketts put in another strong performance in only the second event of his comeback to finish on 38.00
In the one lap event Kim put in another strong performance, with Val second and 2 private entries behind
Thanks to Graeme, Gil, Jim, Barry and Ian for their help and to all the marshals
Can Chris maintain winning run in the next event when he partners Paul Purdy in the 2-up 24?
They face a very strong challenge form Steve and Andy in what promises to be a very close event. On paper Steve and Andy should have the edge, but Paul's experience and determination might just help them to keep their tyre in front - Tune-in in 2 weeks time to find out the result
Entries received/notified to date are as follows (not in start order), let me know your intended team if your not listed below
| Mark Walker | Phillip Eden |
| Dave Jacketts | Kim Blackburn |
| Mike Kilgour | Greame Lawton |
| Mark Dicconson | Pete Smith |
| Nathan Chester | Mark Summer |
| John Lockwood | Dave Galbraith |
| Vince Cartwright | Calum McElwee |
| Paul KIlvington | Tim White |
| Mark Robinson | Dean Fulstow |
| Andrew Barnes | Steve Macklin |
| Chris Whitelam | Paul Purdy |
Wilson Shield TT Results:
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