So, Season’s Over, Racing is Done and Two New Champions to Adorn the Frodsham Wheelers Roll of Honour!
Twelve riders faced the timekeeper on a brand new course so a course record as well as the most coveted gong at the Club Dinner was up for grabs. Dianne Turner faced stiff competition for the first time.
The name Sam Marshall was touted as the new mens champ. Could he live up to the hype? Well pulling a wheelie at the start, even Peter Sagan ain’t that cocky but the boy pulled it off in some style.
David Arundale started and finished first so he set the course record that lasted a whole 45 seconds until Rob McGregor sweated his way to the top in full winter kit (wonky cap et al) and took seat number one in the, well it’s a grass verge really!
Neither Rob Cowell nor Mark Gittins could unseat him until the first of the “Sub Six Super Stars” arrived. Ryan Jackson freewheeled across the line in 5:39 to take a whopping half a minute off the leader. Was it enough though??
Brigid smashed her way up in 6:17, Steven Jeffers 6:13, Ryan sitting pretty, but pretty nervous. Every right to be nervous as Sam flew past the clock in 5:09.
Dianne couldn’t quite get past Brigid’s time so a new ladies champion was crowned. Just the men to sort out. Mark Stevens, the only previous champion in the field tore the road up but his mighty 5:35 was only good enough for second.
Chris Fowler came home in 6:57 with John Flynn pulling out an impressive 6:08.
So – Fantastic efforts by all but especially to our new champions Brigid Wilde and Sam Marshall. Sure this won’t be the last time these names appear on the trophy.
Special thanks to Alan Orme, Gaz Minnis, Gary Hartley, John Flynn and the ever reliable Andy White for timekeeping, pushing off, marshalling, cheering on and taking photographs.
As ever, these events can’t go on without help and I’m always grateful.
Cheers Wheelers,
Chris
2017 Hillclimb Championship Rider Times – 24th September 2017
| Rank | Name | No. | Watch | Actual |
| 1 | Sam Marshall | 9 | 24:06:00 | 05:06 |
| 2 | Mark Stevens | 10 | 25:35:00 | 05:35 |
| 3 | Ryan Jackson | 5 | 20:34:00 | 05:39 |
| 4 | John Flynn | 12 | 28:08:00 | 06:08 |
| 5 | Steve Jeffers | 7 | 23:13:00 | 06:13 |
| 6 | Rob McGregor | 2 | 18:17:00 | 06:17 |
| 7 | Brigid Wilde | 6 | 22:17:00 | 06:17 |
| 8 | Dave Arundale | 1 | 17:33:00 | 06:33 |
| 9 | Mark Gittens | 4 | 20:39:00 | 06:39 |
| 10 | Rob Cowell | 3 | 19:43:00 | 06:43 |
| 11 | Chris Fowler | 11 | 27:57:00 | 06:57 |
| 12 | Dianne Turner | 8 | 25:27:00 | 07:27 |
One thought on “2017 Hillclimb Championship — The Yeld, Kelsall”