VET'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS-RACE REPORTS-RESULTS FROM VETERAN RACING all photographs copyright impact internet services 2000 SAVCC ROAD CHAMPS STRATHALBYN 16-7-00 Blair "the animal" Howell Photos taken at Strathalbyn 16-7-00 by richard surfield. copyright2000 It's always a pleasure to travel down south and the journey is made all the better if your heading for beautiful Strathalbyn, just a pleasant hours drive from Adelaide. Whichever way you approach the township its a tourist bonanza with rolling hills, lovely views and many small villages with plenty of character. I chose to head off via Clarendon, Kangarilla, Meadows and then skirting Ashbourne to take in finally, a huge panoramic view of not only the township of "Strath", as she is affectionately known, but the countryside reaching right down to Milang in the distance. Added bonus this time of the year is the appearance of blossoms on almond trees together with clumps of jonquils and dafodils that the early settlers planted in many sites that were once their homesteads. It was a grand start to what would ultimately be a grand day for all who were associated with the SAVCC 2000 Road Championships of South Australia. I must say right from the start how refreshing it was for me personally, with the Council paying my expenses for attending and covering the races. There are so many who just take it for granted that I will be there week after week without even a word of thanks or a cup of tea on a cold day, but not our AVCC people and to them I say thankyou for your gesture, it certainly is appreciated and welcomed.

Steve Hazel - lone chaser

Peter Moore - simply terrific

The course chosen for racing was just a picture and the fine weather, bright blue skies and the slightest hint of a breeze made it perfect for everyone. Triangular in shape and running from Strath to Belvedere, Langhorne Creek, past Bletchley then a run up to Woodchester and it was back to Strath, this was a testing 37KM journey. Race distances ranged from 1 lap(37Km) for the older contestants & some ladies right up to 3 laps(110km) for the young guns. Talking of young guns, Team Mittiga rider Peter Moore showed just how keen he was to support the race when after competing in the Mount Gambier 100 Mile on saturday, he drove back and fronted for another 66 miles on Sunday. Now thats what I call dedication and giving your sponsor great value, don't you Phil. Peter was rewarded with the 35-39 State title in a real race of attrition. The first lap was just a pleasant jaunt around the countryside for the youngsters taking some 53 mins to cover the 37KM. Lap two saw a different light shed on the race as the bunch split and Moore was off the front and very intent on staying there.

Steve Nash leads sprint finish 40-44

Geoff Hillman heads 50-54 bunch

Little would change in the ensuing lap and a half from Moores initial attack other than the field cracking severely. With Moore just too strong and the gap too big it left two riders to doggedley hang on to second & third spots with a tremendous effort from Andrew Khul(Caffe` Paesano) and Baden Brosnan(Seaton Tyres). John DiStefano was not going to put his chances at risk either and in the 55-59 division it was just about a solo procession for the nuggety rider from Port Adelaide CC. His tenatious style, which has kept him at the forefront of competition for over a decade was just too powerful for his fellow competitors. Trevor Skinner making another comeback took second place from the chasing bunch. The "animal" was let out of the cage again in the 74KM 50-54 division. What a masterful display it was by Blair Howell, coming in solo after cruising around two laps of the course. There were so many standout efforts on the day that I could go on about so here is just a few of those other great rides. Congratulations to Dean Whitehorn, Steve Nash, the Irish connection Clem Kelly, Peter Blackburn, and the ladies, Linda Bastian, Vicki Birks, Kate Logan, Kathy Jones. One other rider I'd like to single out for a special mention is Geoff Barnes in the 60-64 Division who took the bronze. The week before I had asked him if he planned entering the championships and when he mentioned he was thinking about it I had an encouraging word with him that saw him ring Rowly Ferris and put his name down. Like quite a few others he may have been out of his depth, but he stuck with it and did two huge laps on his own to be rewarded with a medal. Well done Geoff, you epitimize just what competing is all about. THE RESULTS

35-39 MEN 1 PETER MOORE 2 ANDREW KHUL 3 BADEN BROSNAN

40-44 MEN 1 STEVE NASH 2 MIKE ELLERWAY 3 PETER GRIVELL

45-49 MEN 1 DAVE GOMER 2 SID CARTER 3 MARTIN REFERMAT

50-54 MEN 1 BLAIR HOWELL 2 MICK GRAY 3 STEVE KINDER

55-59 MEN 1 JOHN DISTEFANO 2 TREVOR SKINNER 3 TERRY STEWART

60-64 MEN 1 CLEM KELLY 2 WOLFGANG HARDER 3 GEOFF BARNES

65-69 MEN 1 PETER BLACKBURN 2 LEN NIEUWENHOVEN 3 RON DANIELS

70-74 MEN 1 DEAN WHITEHORN 2 STAN WILTON 3 LEW GARDINER

Vicki Birks leads on the climb out of Bletchley

30-34 WOMEN 1 LINDA BASTIAN

40-44 WOMEN 1 VICKI BIRKS 2 C DANGERFIELD

50-54 WOMEN 1 KATE LOGAN 2 DIEDRE WHITE 3 DIANNE GODDARD

55-59 WOMEN 1KATHY JONES

Enquiries for the Southern Veterans(McLaren Vale) can be directed to Rowley Ferris on 82960223.
Enquiries for the Outer Harbour Veterans can be directed to Len Nieuwenhoven on 82603181.


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