BMX riders of all ages from East Anglia descended on the Braintree raceway on Sunday for the first of the Regional Summer Series of events which comprises seven meetings.

The rider's best five results from these determine their Regional rankings for the year and giving them a chance to compete in the British Championship meeting in Slough at the end of August.

This type of racing is going from strength to strength with its affiliation to the British Cycle Federation and a sponsorship deal with Odyssey.

Although BMX is more widely recognised for the freestyle and dirt jumping events, the racing side attracts well over 300 riders at the major National events throughout the country.

Classes range from aged seven for both male and female entrants and there are classes right up the age bands to a 40+ category.

The Braintree BMX Club has the only competitive raceway in Essex situated opposite Towerlands and is always looking for new riders so anyone interested can come along to the practice nights on Tuesday and find out more of what is needed to compete properly at their Sunday meetings.

More information can be obtained by telephoning 01376 320103.

On Sunday, with nine of the Braintree Club's riders present, a mixed day's results ensued.

The torrential rain on Saturday afternoon had made conditions sticky but the sun shone all day to firm up the ground as the racing got under way.

Most successful of the local riders was Steven Sewell, 7, from Dunmow, who rode well to hold off the competition by taking three race wins in the heats and an excellent second in the final.

Steven's brother Matthew, 6, was consistent throughout the afternoon by taking a deserved second place in all of his four races.

Also in the younger classes was Oliver Hassell, 7, from Thaxted who took fourth place in the three heats but had to be content with eighth in the strong final.

Newcomer to the sport, Bradley Watts, 7, from Rayne, was pleased with his fifth places in all three heats and he was unfortunate to miss a place in the final having finished third in the run off.

Moving up the age band, Jonathan Roberts, 10, from Saffron Walden won two sixth places and a seventh in the other heat and his final.

Kelvin Vant, 11 from Sudbury managed third in his first heat but after a fall in the next from which he recovered to take fourth, he settled for fourth in both his next heat and the final.

Local riders Ryan Everitt and Alex Humphrey, both 14, were competing in the same races amongst some strong competition and Ryan rode well to collect three heat third places with Alex taking two fifths and a sixth.

In the eight rider final Ryan got out of the gate well and was looking for a good place, until on the second berm he was forced out wide by other riders and slipped back to seventh while Alex took advantage and finished just in front of him.

Braintree's Dean Gray, 17, was the only local rider in the older class and rode exceptionally well against some of the region's top lads, finishing fifth in his first event after losing his control on the new triples.

In his other races Dean fought back well with a third and a fourth to qualify for the 'A' final in which he rode magnificently to take fourth place.

A wheely good challenge . . Ryan Everitt (left) and Alex Humphrey battle for the lead during Sunday's BMX meeting at Braintree.

Picture by MARK LEES

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.