Silent GP pulls ’em in

By Jim Mynard
ONETHIRD of the 75 vehicles competing in the Wonthaggi Human Powered Grand Prix 24hour event last weekend were from the CardiniaCasey area.
Family interest has increased in the sport to the extent that four primary schools from this area Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Gembrook and Hillsmeade entered parent teams.
Entries for the main event increased by more than 10 per cent on last year for a record.
The Upper Beaconsfield Community’s Skinoff covered 623 kilometres in the 24 hours.
In the open category for secondary schools, Firetruck from Berwick Secondary College came first with 705km and FireStorm from Berwick Secondary College fifth, with 600km.
In the senior secondary category, St Margaret’s School senior team came first in Blonde, which also covered more than 600km. Blonde beat teams that were permitted to have up to 50 per cent of male riders.
St Margaret’s also entered a second team of younger girls, Brunette, which competed in the senior category to win seventh position after completing more than 500km.
In the middle secondary category, Firefly from Berwick Secondary College came third with more than 650km.
Berwick Secondary College entered an allgirl team, Firebird, for the first time, and it came home a credible seventh with more than 500km.
Both Brunette and Firebird finished on the same lap count.
CaseyCardinia teams that travelled more than 300km included Upper Beaconsfield Primary in Green Envy, Garfield Primary in Garfield Flyers, Berwick Primary in Berwick Storm, and their second vehicle, Berwick Tornado. As well as Beaconsfield Primary’s junior team, Catwoman, the district was also represented by teams from Tooradin Primary, Narre Warren South P12 and Gembrook Primary School.
These school teams rode more than 200km. and although not among the medal winners they competed well and enjoyed the competition.