Gary Rabie

By James Louter <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> This Saturday the 12th of July sees the Hector Norris Track League host the Club 100 MTN 500m Handicap at Hector Norris Park in the South of Johannesburg. Racing will get under way at 14:00 with the main event of the day being the Club 100 MTN 500m Handicap presented by Hector Norris Winter Track League. The numbers of riders have been growing steadily at the Winter League with many reaping the benefits of improved bike handling, better tactical awareness and improved speed among others that track has to offer. The format of the Winter League is for riders to be grouped in categories according to their ability. On this special occasion The Club 100 / MTN 500m Handicap will offer that rare opportunity for riders of all abilities to compete on a level playing field with everybody having a very real chance of overall honours. The format, which is very popular on the Australian track racing calendar, is run with riders being staggered along the inside of the track with various length handicaps from the 500m mark. The fastest rider in a heat will be placed as the scratch rider on the 500m mark. The rider deemed the second fastest will be slightly ahead with the slowest rider in the heat having the greatest advantage. The idea of the handicap being that come the final meters of the race all riders will be vying for the line on equal terms. This creates great excitement for both riders and spectators as anybody can win. Heats will be run to qualify riders through to the final where prize money awaits the first 5 across the line. For the winner the added bonus of being the first to place his or her name on the floating trophy with a winners Sash to take home. Prize money breakdown 1st R500 2nd R400 3rd R300 4th R200 5th R100

Mike Thompson and Gadi Chait The ASICS boys were down to race and put up a good show Blast from the past. MAJOR TAYLOR in action in Paris

For the record, the current allegations of fraud surrounding the previous CGC track commissioner have nothing to do with the Hector Norris Park Track Forum, of which I am a member. The new track forum was established in order to improve the management of track cycling in Central Gauteng and to ensure complete transparency in all matters, particularly financial matters. Any interested person is welcome to request any information whatsoever from the forum and which the forum will gladly provide.

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www.hnptrackcycling.co.za is up. It is a dedicated website to Hector Norris Park and all things track in Central Gauteng. Visit it from time to time for racing updates, events, rider profiles and general track news in Gauteng and South Africa. Racing is on tomorrow from 14h00.

Saturday will see race #2 in the winter league. See race report in results forum for covergae of race #1. There will be some pics on the CGC website tomorrow. Remember there is racing for road bikes and new track riders in their own categories and track bikes are available, just bring your own pedals and arrive early enough (al least an hour) The league is gaining momentum so don't miss out on this fantastic training. Program for Saturday: HECTOR NORRIS PARK WINTER TRACK LEAGUE<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Race meeting #2 31 May 2008 PROGRAM OF EVENTS 13H00 -13H55 Registration and warm-up 14h00 ? 14h30 Cat1 3KM Cat2 3KM Cat3 3KM Cat4 3KM 14h35-15h10 Cat1 POINTS Cat2 POINTS Cat3 POINTS Cat4 POINTS 15h10-15h25 Interval 15h25 -15h45 15km scratch race combined cat1, 2 and 4 15h45- 15h55 Cat3 5km

BUMP - rememeber free coaching today at HNP with Martin Van Wyk from 16h00

Martin van Wyk (SA Elite track champion and National Track Team rider) will be at Hector Norris Park every Wednesday from 16h00 to help riders with track training. He will set you up on a track bike and then there will be a full training session introducing you to how to train on the track for sprints and endurance events. He will also give input on different races, how to ride them and what to expect in various races. Please use this opportunity to make use of Martin's experience. THERE IS NO COST. I guarantee your riding will only improve. All you need do is sign an indmenity form. This is the same as getting personal coaching from a road pro on the road, but then again pigs will fly before one of them do something like this on their own initiative. It is open to any rider who is interested in track, whether it is your 1st time or your 1000th time on the track, Martin will be there to help you. Please bring your road bike, and/or pedals as well as your saddle height as measured on you road bike form the centre of your BB to the top of your saddle, so Martin can set up a track bike for you.

Here is our new logo. Keep a lookout for it on various websites. Remember racing tomorrow at 14h00. Hope to see many hubbers. Come get fast.

I hope when you meet with City Parks and the Councillor that the issue of the squatters living, littering , p!issing and Sh!tting all along the Spruit will be broought up and why don't the concentrate their efforts on these unauthorised activities. If they can get a group together to dismantle the MTB stuff, surely they can get a group together to evict ane squattors and clean up the Spruit. Love to see how the Councillor and City Parks dodge this question.

Sheldon we will return the favour at our events. Perhaps we can have a mini-interprovicial at one of the legs. Thnaks for your support.lease let me have any info you want us to give out at our events. Cheers gary

Someone got contact details for guys who built the NS stuff. I have a venue for them to build whatever they want. They can build a rollercoaster if that takes their fancy. Hector Norris park as a large area surrounding the track that is not utilized. This area is perfect for building jumps and obstacles. Guys can build as much stuff as they want. BMX track can be included in free riding area. It is also possible to establish a permanent single track cross country course. With a bit of imagination, you could probably get about 3km worth of single track in. Thanks Gary

After all the critisism levelled at track, a new Hector Norris Park Track Forum has been established. The forum will be responsible for the running of the winter track league at HNP, details of which are below. I would like to invite all Hubbbers and their frineds and families to join us to race, either on their road bikes or on track bikes, or just to watch. I will be more than happy to help anyone out at these events. PLEASE SUPPORT US so as to raise the level of track in SA. We have obtained some sponsors, but are continually looking for more. If anyone is interested or knows of any potential sponsrs, please contact me. Any constructive advice is most welcome. Getting back on track this winter<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> How are you going to feed your hunger for racing this winter and at the same time do some serious training towards the spring and summer racing season? The answer is getting on your bike and racing track. Hector Norris Park is hosting a Winter Track League catering for all riders, new and old, young and the young at heart. The league will run from Saturday the 24th of May to August 2008 at Hector Norris Park. Racing will run from 2pm to 4pm, and will include short sharp races to keep riders in peak condition during the winter and spectators entertained. Points will be accumulated and at the end of the league trophies and prizes will be awarded to the podium places in each category. This is the perfect opportunity for those cyclists who have heard about or seen track racing to give it a go, particularly the younger riders. A lot of emphasis will be placed on u/14, u/16 and Junior riders, showing them the ropes and giving them coaching and racing feedback. All riders irrespective of age and ability are encouraged to race. If you don?t have a track bike, there are bikes to use and race, free of charge. These bikes have recently been extensively serviced and are in fit and proper race condition. Just bring your own pedals along. There is a trophy and cash prize up for grabs for the best new track rider and road bike category rider at the end of the league. Madison training and coaching will be given to all riders at each league meeting, with the aim being to have as many teams race the 100 lap Madison at the end of the season. The Winter League provides the perfect opportunity to race and train in a safe and warm winter environment, allowing riders to target those aspects of their training and racing usually neglected in the winter months. Come spring you will sprinting like Boonen and McEwan, and attacking like O?Grady and Cancellara. Event Information Every Saturday commencing on the 24th of May 2008 Time: 2pm to 4pm Venue: Hector Norris Park, Johannesburg Entry fee: R30-00 per league meeting Prizes and Trophies Cash prizes are minimum, additional sponsorship will result in increased purse. Cat1 Overall winner ? floating trophy and R750 2nd overall ? R500 3rd overall ? R250 Cat2 Overall winner ? floating trophy and R750 2nd overall ? R500 3rd overall ? R250 Cat3 Overall winner ? trophy and R750 2nd overall ? R500 3rd overall R250 Cat4 Overall winner ? floating trophy and R2000 2nd overall ? R1500 3rd overall ? R1000 Best Junior ? Trophy and R500 Best Schools ? Trophy and R500 Best new track rider ? trophy and R500 Categories Cat 1 ? Schools Cat2 ? Ladies, new track riders, and Vets not racing in OPEN Cat4 Cat3 ? OPEN Road Bike Cat4 ? OPEN Elite Junior Vet Dates and Program of Events 24 and 31 May 7, 14, 21 and 28 June 5, 12 and 26 July 2 and 16 August There will be four programs of events that will be rotated over a 4 week period. The 4 programs of events are as follows: Categories will race seperatey unless specified. Program 1 1500m (all categories) Elimination (all categories) 15km Scratch (cat1, 2 & 4 together, points awarded separately) 5km road bike Cat3 Program 2 Keirin (all categories) Progressive points (all categories) 15km Scratch (cat1, 2 & 4 together, points awarded separately) 5km road bike cat3 Program3 3km (all categories) Elimination (all categories) 15km Scratch (cat1, 2 & 4 together, points awarded separately) 5km road bike cat3 Program 4 10 lap handicap (all categories) Points race (all categories) 15km Scratch (cat1, 2 & 4 together, points awarded separately) 5km road bike cat3 Rules Riders must enter one category and race in that category for the duration of the league. Organiser reserves the right to move a rider into a more competitve category if they are deemed too strong for the category they have entered. Points will be awarded to first 5 places, 10; 8; 6; 4 and 2 in all events. Podium position for league will be determined according to riders with most points in each category. Points from all league meetings to count towards overall. Racing commences 14h00 sharp. Cash prizes in each category dependant on a minimum of 10 riders in the category. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Gary at grabie@fnb.co.za

Damn, who decided so? I was just starting to enjoy all that stuff. Typical, aim at the soft targets, but leave the squatters who light fires, litter, mug, commit crime and pollute the stream. P1SSES me off no end.

Hi Quayum Please feel free to use my ideas as you see fit. I am only too happy to provide any input you need. Cheers Gary

I still do wheelies and table tops in my dreams. I spent quite a few weekends at Alrode and Germiston in the 80's, and remember seeing you win a few races back then(i think you actually won all your races). You were quite a bit younger than me though. Ah the real good old days. I still have boxes of trophies in my bike room. Alrode, Germiston and Lonehill were the tracks. I miss those days. You probably remeber Chunky as well then. He was quite bit smaller then