August 2005 Newsletter, page 4   (next page)

HPVs at the Michigan State Time Trial

ABOVE FROM LEFT, PAUL BRUNEAU, CHRIS EVANS, FRANK GEYERS, AND MIKE MOWETT of the MHPVA line up for the start of the 2005 Michigan State Time Trial. Race Director Fred Nemenski stands at left with clipboard. BELOW, FRANK GEYER (LEFT) AND CHRIS EVANS negotiate turn number two while a race offical looks on. Photos by Paul Pancella.

By Paul Bruneau

On Sunday, June 26, 2005, four members of the MHPVA lined up at Dearborn Heights' Hines Park to race against the clock (and against 170 other racers) in the Michigan State Time Trial, an annual USCF event hosted by the Wolverine Sports Club, a fellow member organization of the LMB.

About 10 days before the event, MHPVA Webmaster Paul Bruneau realized this might be a nice event for HPVs to try. Race Director Fred Nemenski was open to the idea, so Bruneau posted a message on the BentRiderOnline HPV Racing forum. "I was already licensed in the USCF due to my membership in my local bike club's racing team," Bruneau said, "so I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot, and see who else might want to race."

MHPVA members and racers Chris Evans on his VK2 (with tail fairing), Frank Geyer on his Challenge Jester (stock), and long-time MHPVA "hybrid" racer Mike Mowett on his upright-with-body-sock vehicle each signed up for the event and with Bruneau on his VK2 (stock) raced in their own "open" group on the 40K circuit.

Newsletter Submissions
Submissions for the MHPVA newsletter can be e-mailed to editor Mike Eliasohn at editor@mhpva.org. If what you have is on paper, mail it to him at 1016 Morrison Ave., Apt. 2; St. Joseph MI 49085-1429.

If you have regular photos, mail those to Mike. If you have digital photos, e-mail those to our Webmaster, Paul Bruneau, at webmaster@mhpva.org, but let Mike know what you sent to Paul.

Mike will mail a paper copy of the electronic newsletter to members who don't have e-mail. So if you are in that category, and somehow read this anyway, write him or call him at (269) 982-4058.

Race organizers might have been even more surprised by Mowett's appearance than by the low racers', as one was overheard stating, "Is that covered by our insurance?" upon seeing Mowett roll up to the starting lineup.

The course, with its "double out-and-back" routing provided some challenge for the HPVers since there is a tight turn that must be negotiated, but overall, the course was a good one for HPVs with rolling hills, good pavement, and no auto traffic.

Geyer finished 15th overall (57:33) with Evans coming in 23rd place 39 seconds later (58:12). Mowett placed 46th (61:45) and Bruneau brought up the rear of the HPV group finishing 74th (62:38).

Race Director Nemenski expressed interest in setting up an actual HPV class in next year's event, which would be able to participate in prize money and awards for the winners provided the HPV community shows enough interest.


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