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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, JuIy 3, 2001- 13 SPORTS JAFAnRGz Concret. AKCANADA INC . mmhmm Pile.N* f1i,-- . e m OPEI SAYIUAY SEUIUM Y S US MIT DE SUtf ,Track 2000 plays host to national BMX event By MURRAY TOWNSEND Special ta The Champion The riders fidget atop their bikes in the start- ing gate, making last minute mental and physical preparations for the biggest race of the day. Finally, they're ready to go, and ail of them suddenly become very stili. But, it's ail for not, as they are informed there wili be a five- minute delay. There are audible groans and hands ly up in the air, but there's nthing they can do. Tbey wind theroseives up until they're ready to expiode, and now they're going to bave to do it ail over again in a couple of minutes. Miltonian Bob Ruwiey, Canada's top professionai BMX racer, is in the starting grid for the final race of tbe top class at the Maple Leaf Nationals at Track 2000. lt's the second day of the event, and Rowley was the winner tbe irst day. Racers must compete each day in motos, which iead Io the quarterfinais and semi-finais, ieav- ing oniy the top racers for the main event. On tbe ground, near tbe finish fine is Track 2000 President, Mark Brancier, who is keeping a watchful eye, and car, on pro- ceedings in a tent near tbe finish fine. lt's no small matter lu get a national series bike event. There are only 26 of themn each year, almost alilut thern in the United States. Track 2000 last hosîed one in 1996. Event packs themn in There are 535 racers that have traveied to Milton, from Califomnia lu Florida lu Pennsyivania and everywhere cisc in between. They're here t'rom Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. And there are riders from Denmark and Australia. There are maies and females from four ycars of age up to the over 50 class. The different classes of race ensure people are entered against competitors of their own skili level. 'Me event bas been a great success, according to Brancier. as tbey wrap up tbe final races on Sunday aftemoon. TMe reaction of the competitors bas been notbing but positive. "They love il, they think it's great," says Brancier, adding tbat the visitors, "love the friendliness of the area." The camping facilities are irst-rate and tbe track is being praised as une of the best they race on anywhere. Il was nu small feat getting the track into shape, especially wlhen il had poured ramn recentiy, leaving 12 inches of mud in s-Omne places. Brancier says the fact tbey were able to get the track back in shape is a credit to the 120 volunteers. Brancier also enthused about tbe sponsorship they've received, which is critical tu mun an event of tis magnitude. Mattamy Humes was a main sponsor, and when thcy rau into trouble with the ramn, they brought in their tractors lu help free of charge. The Town of Milton also contributed to the success oft'he event, which among other things meant providing bleachers and picnic tables. Cardinal Fuods donated hamburgers and buns. and OPEN DAILY Photos by GRAHAM PANE Vanessa Pearce catches a nap between races while (et right) Bob Rowley heads toward the finish line durlng the recent Maple Leaf Nationals at Miltons BMX Track 2000. Coca Cula gave them a purchasing break su they could make a profit and put t back int the track. The races goune ater the other, starting them even belore the previuus une has finished. What looks like chaos is actually quite organized as the racer-- are called by race number on a luud speak- er to line up on the ramp leading up to the starting gate. Maybe a dozen races are ined up at any une time, with the only delays usu- ally coming trom a falien rider on the track. Finally, Rowley's race is ready tu go. The gale drops, and they're off. He's in irst place leading lu the lirst jump. The racers fly over it and around the track. As they conte around the final cou- ple of luros, he's neck and ncck for first place. Then something happens and Ruwley is nowhere tu be seen. Apparently he bas fallen or gone of the track. As the racers cross the finish uine, he picks himseif up and cmuises the rest of the way. finishing last. "That's BMX racing for you,- comments Brancier. "You neyer knuw wha's guing lu happen." A f'ew minutes later amound the other side ut the track, Ruwley s sitling on is bike explaining calmly to a group ut peuple what happened. He docsn't appear tus) upset, nu doubt partly because he had won the day befure. see ROWLEY on page 14 JUALY FRAMING SAILlE! " CUSTOM FRAMING " UV GLASS CHANGE " pLAQUE MQUNTING -REMATTING 345SIEELES AVE MON 909788161 I m