Championship Roller Racing Newsline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2010

New Hope, PA Roller Races – A Showcase Event!
~ Bobby Lea Wins Pro Category ~

The Triumph Brewing Company, New Hope, PA proved to be an ideal venue for the fifth stage of Championship Roller Racing Wednesday night February 24th. While dining and enjoying Triumph’s fine brews, cheering fans packed the brewery to watch twenty-five riders compete in thirty-seven races – both high numbers on the circuit this year.

While roller racing requires intense athletic effort and there can even be social significance – the New Hope event raised funds for the Young Survivors Coalition, there is the lighter side. “Nothing is quite like it. It’s a niche thing,” said pro class second place finisher, Jackie Simes. “We’re in pretty good shape now getting ready for the road season. Rollers give us a chance to race hard indoors. The fans are right there close. It’s exciting”.

“We have fun with it too,” added KC Wilder, one of the women riders who, after her regular events, did a special challenge race wearing a “Wonder Woman” outfit, against Kacey Manderfield who had her own thing going with a sequined spandex kit and red spiked heals that she somehow managed to wedge into her racing pedals.

The evening was perhaps summed up best by the New Hope Triumph Brewing Co. Manager, Dan Weintraub who said, “The roller racing totally fits our element of people having a great time. I certainly hope they [Championship Roller Racing] consider us a permanent stop on the tour”.

In the pro class, Olympian and pre race favorite, Bobby Lea, riding for Bahati Foundation, defeated Jackie Simes, Cycle Loft, in the final for 1st and 2nd. Simes jumped into an early lead in the ten lap one mile race but Lea quickly drew even. They see-sawed with Simes upping the tempo to get a small gap at the half mile mark. Lea drew even again with two laps left and gradually inched ahead to win by about a half a second in the time of 1:13 flat. Third place went to the steadily improving Jon Chambers, riding for Affinity Cycles and showing all he is now to be taken seriously in pro roller racing. The remaining places were 4th-Matt Diefendach-Alliance Environmental, 5th-Andy Lakatosh-Alliance Environmental, 6th-Wim Daniels, who leads the overall series and races for Services Environmental. 7th was Tom Mains and 8th Gui Nelessen both riding for the home team Van Dessel/Triumph Brewing Company.

Earlier in the evening, as Daniels went to the line for his quarter final against Simes, a spectator approached and gave race steward, Brian Ignatin, a one-hundred dollar bill for the winner of that race. To the delight of all, such things go on in roller racing. Although Ignatin waved the hundred under Daniels’s nose, Simes ultimately won it.

Kutztown Cutter Kate Veronneau took the women’s class with Kacey Manderfield, Cycle Loft, second. Finishing third was Kaitlin Lawrence, Vortex team, and in fourth was Kathran Wilder riding for Tour De Pink, both riders new the CRR circuit. The open class was won by Scott Feather, Vortex, over Steve Craig in 47.3, the fastest time for the .6 mile this season. Jonathon Beyer, Pure Energy, was third, Michael Skolnik was fourth, and Eric Lepping was fifth.

The Next Championship Roller Racing event takes place in the Emmaus VFW on Saturday, February 27. Racing runs from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Food and beverages are available.

Championship Roller Racing official suppliers include Mike Fraysse Sports, Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Phoenix Sports Technology, CyclingCaptured.com , Velo Precision Cycling, NYVelocity.com , and Quality First Home Improvements.

CHA!