It looked hazy when we were driving out to the course, but by the time we got out there, it was high seventies and next to no wind. Time to rock and roll.
We had a very special car doing sweep for one of our three evening heats.
The conditions were great, even for the first heat, and Teagan lead it off in style by going 52.55 mph and earning a hat. Trefor had to scratch after several false starts. The team had added a latex membrane to close part of the front wheel opening, and that made it difficult to steer.
The second heat was even more action packed. Damjan coasted through the traps after unshipping his chain. Continuing on the same theme, Jan Marcel went 76.33 mph, even though his front tire was deflating during the run. Todd set perhaps his personal best with 78.46 mph in Eta. He said that the powermeter showed that he wasn’t putting out as much power as he thought. Then Peter got his “60 mph at age 60” by going 60.08 mph with legal wind. I am so jealous!
Closing out the heat, Alexei got a new personal best in Tetiva 2.
It was getting dark by the time the third heat started. Rik blasted through the traps at 82.18 mph, just 1 mph shy of the record. Then Gareth Hanks set a NEW WORLD RECORD for trikes at 72.94 mph. More importantly, he beat Ben to regain his title as the world’s fastest Aussie. The ball is in your court, Ben. Greg Thomas cruised at 68.22 mph. Then Barbara had a good run at 98.2% of the women’s record.
Finally Ellen must have been wearing night vision goggles as she set a new personal best of 70.82 mph.
After the heats, I particular liked how the Aerovelo van arrived with speakers strapped to the roof blaring the Star Wars Imperial March. Apparently they weren’t allowed to play music at start.
At the post race meeting, we learned that our use of the Civic Center is under threat because teams were making a mess. This would really be too bad, and it would reduce us to working in the parking lot of the Super 8 next year. Not a good scenario.
On a more cheerful note, before the evening meeting, Eric Ware mentioned that his frequent partner in crime, Mark Anderson, didn’t make it this year, but his mom sent along streamliner cookies.
Robert Barnett and Sven announced the winners of the drag races. As long as I am in the same age bracket as Tom Amick, I have no hope.
After that, the 5 mile times were announced, and everyone was back in good cheer.
Here is a trio of trike people; good to see the Schroeders again.
For U of T, it looked like more tweaking was needed, but so what else is new. All part of the Battle Mountain experience.
One more day of racing. Let’s hope for more good weather!
Thanks for the updates and photos Jun. Any plans to make another run yourself? Go for it!