New sprint series for Tasmanian carnivals

B&E Ltd. have provided additional sponsorship to run a sprint series during the National Grid Christmas Carnival Series. The sprint series will be held over the four major carnivals, starting in Latrobe and finishing in Burnie on New Years day. Only the elite riders will get a chance to compete for the additional $1000 on offer for the winner of the series.

Points will be allocated to riders for each sprint race, with the overall winner being announced at the conclusion of Burnie. Ben Kersten, Jame Carney, Joel Leonard and Scott Sunderland are all expected to fight it out for the B&E sprint series. Grant Atkins, president of SCAT, believes that the sprint series will add a lot to the carnivals, saying “B&E Ltd are great supporters of the carnivals and this is a real boost to the series. The action should be fast and furious, as it gives some of the elite guys the chance to really show off their ability to the crowds”.

In other carnival news, Darren Young (Dash) has been confirmed as a starter for the National Grid Christmas Carnival Series. Young was unsure whether he would be ready in time for the series due to a re-occcuring back injury that has forced him off the bike for part of 2006. Young who lives in Melbourne is keen to be back on the bike and is ready to get some miles back in the legs. “I’ll admit my preparation hasn’t been ideal but our family has a strong tradition at the Carnivals and I’ll be ready to give it my best come Boxing Day”.

The Youngs have been racing at the Carnivals since 1953 with Viv and Darrel Young, and now their sons Grant, Jason and Darren will continued the tradition by lining up for the 2006/2007 series. Atkins said, “Dash is the first person to ever have won the Austral Wheelrace back to back from scratch and he is a well known local Devonport boy who has grown up with the carnivals in his blood... it is great to see him back for another year. He will be a great addition to the back markers for the series.”