NPS4X 2007 RD1 Sheffield

4am Saturday morning and I've a bike to build car to pick up, my 7 year old daughter to wake up for the journey to her first national type event and four other riders waiting for me at a local garage. This is the reality of living in Cornwall and racing BMX and 4X. By 11am we will have rendevoud with the Europcar van and Dave Hermans car load and all 14 of us are stood on the last straight of the Wheelbase indoor Track.

Was it worth it? What a weekend saturdays Dialled bikes winter series was good but sundays first round of the NPS4Xwas amazing. Racing has stepped up level again. 105 riders but everyone of them getting it. "We ride for FUN" Racing was close really close. Three 180 corners means that no race is won till the ladies at the end say so

Junior was awsome Identitis Tom Dowie has moved up from youth, but didnt have it all his way bailing once and battling it out with DBS Digger Wetherelt. James Goodwin on Dialled bikes was snapping the first straight and the three of them shared moto wins. Semis to Final and theres a hook up in the first corner as Digger tries to take the lead. Dowie takes the win Goodwin in 2nd Identiti Pat Campbell in 3rd and Digger in 4th. These four are going to be at it all year. Cant wait.

Senior was stacked with quarters. Dave Richardson (FLOW) flips over his bars on the last straight and John Eichler(51junctionroad.co.uk) took the win.

Three former national series winners turned out in Masters with Symon Folland back with his FUNN team and Ian Hopkins returning after most of last season away. Last years dominant force Darren Howarth continued his Indoor Nightmare with B final win. Stendec Racing suspension guru Dave Garland has been riding with OGGY aparrently and it showed. He blew everyone away no one could touch him all weekend, taking every race from the gate, Awsome.

Elite had everything. Dale HolmesDale Holmes in the UK and showing his usual clinical performance. Tony Fleming 40+ BMX stalwart standing in for Nige Page on his mountainbike? Last years No1 Martin Ogden crashed out in the quarters ands everyone was wondering could Scott Beaumont stop Dale from winning.

Rider of the day for me though was Chris Jackson, first race in Elite and he was flying. He has everything the power the smoothness the flair. In one race he transfered from right to left on the first double to take the lead. Unfortunatly the perfect start to his season ended while leading his semi Steve Tayler who always pulls somthing out took him in the last corner.

This was only the rehersal in the final there was a tangle in the first corner Dale brake Checked everybody in the second then Steve tried the move he practiced on Chris in the semi but from 4th to first and wrapped up the whole pack. Dale stayed up and took the win Lewis Lacey who had looked good all day on his Titanium Charge took second, Beaumont in third and Tayler to an ovation from the crowd in 4th.

This season looks like it will be amazing. Lacey and Jackson will shake up the Elite and rider numbers being up more semi and quarter knockout action will make races even more exciting.

Now the seven hour journey home to KernowKernow through torrential rain, floods and a lunar eclipse. Just an average weekend.

NPS4X Full Results
Flemdog on BMXTalk said Sheffield 4X elite final (Best race in an age?)

Next round Chicksands Bedford, SuperX Saturday and hopfully some local talent to spice things up.