Wilkinson is the quickest again for Wheelers

LAST Tuesday night 14 hardy riders took part in a 10 mile time trial,

Conditions were cool, breezy, and very wet, This was a 10 mile Handicap TT for the Magowan Shield, held over thre rounds throughout the season this one was on the Castlewellan Road.

With some of the Portrush riders taking a break and the bad weather numbers were well down.

Although this was his slowest time for a long time P. Wilkinson still was the quickest rider. His time of 24.02 was 25 seconds quicker than second placed man Pete Savage who was making a rare appearance, with D.G third with 24.53 - to get into the 24s on this road in those conditions was very good.

Riders who deserve a mention this week include new member Brian Hanna who, in his first TT, did a 28.23 so well done to him, plus another new rider, A. McCourt, did a 27.14 which was good enough to win him the Handicap Cup.

Race Secretary Clive Adamson says a few years ago, with those conditions, the West Down Wheelers would have been lucky to get six or seven riders out but such is the buzz in the club even 14 now is considered poor.

The club has a membership well into the 30s who have a club racing licence. It seems as if they have riders joining on a weekly basis and all at different standards so if you are looking for a club then now’s the time to get involved.

Log onto www.westdownwheelers.com to check what all’s happening in the club. You will get warm welcome.

All riders are asked to watch the web for the club’s postponed Eric Maxwell memorial held on the Warrenpoint Road as they will put up a new date once they get it confirmed.

Next week’s race is a 25 mile TT on the Castlewellan Road for the Steven Savage Memorial Shield.

P Wilkinson 24.02 WDW; P Savage 24.27 WDW; D Gordon 24.53 WDW; D Cartmill 26.06 WDW; P McKinstry 26.11 WDW; M Alexander 26.20 WDW; J Kernaghan 26.25 WDW; A McCourt 27.14 WDW; A Priestley 27.25 WDW; S Keery 28.06 WDW; B Doyle 28.06 DCC; B Hanna 28.23 WDW; J Priestley (U14) 28.37 WDW; M McAnulty 29.31 DCC.