HACKNEY HAWKS 2011 RIDERS RESULTS

Sat April 9th Hackney v American Touring Team
(at Rye House) Intl. Challenge)

Wed April 13th King’s Lynn v Hackney

Fri April 22nd Hackney v Stoke
(at Lakeside )

Sat April 30th Hackney v Belle Vue
(at Rye House)

Mon May 2nd Scunthorpe v Hackney

Sat May 7th Hackney v King’s Lynn
(at Rye House)

Fri May 13th Hackney v Dudley
(at Lakeside )

Tue May 31st Dudley v Hackney

Sun June 5th Mildenhall v Hackney (KO Cup)

Fri June 10th Hackney v Scunthorpe
(at Lakeside )

Sat June 11th Hackney v Mildenhall
(at Rye House) (KO Cup)

Tue June 14th Isle of Wight v Hackney

Fri June 17th Hackney v Isle of Wight
(at Lakeside)

Sat June 18th NL Pairs Newport

Sat July 2nd Hackney v Newport
(at Rye House)

Sun July 10th Buxton v Hackney

Fri July 15th Hackney v Buxton
(at Lakeside )

Sun July 24th Mildenhall v Hackney

Sat July 30th NL Fours Stoke

Sun August 14th Newport v Hackney

Sat August 27th Hackney v Mildenhall
(at Rye House)

Wed August 31st Belle Vue v Hackney

Sat Sept 3rd National League Riders Championship (at Rye House)

Sat Sept 10th Stoke v Hackney

Fri Oct 7th Hackney v Scunthorpe
(at Lakeside)

THE 2011 MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Barrie Evans

Brandon Freemantle

David Mason

Ben Hopwood

Shane Hazeldene

Ben Morley

Marc Owen

CAUGHT IN CONVERSATION

Shane Hazeldene

We caught up with the 17 year old Hackney prospect directly after the Hawks’ home squeeker against Belle Vue. Hazelden had just completed a full quota of seven rides, riding undefeated in his five completed outings.

Fair to say that neither side left anything in the jar in this one? “Yes, it was a real good old-fashioned fight to get the win. Every heat advantage was so important, and everyone had to ride out of their skins. The Colts made the early start (leading 11-6 after three races), but then we began coming together as a team. Overall, there was a great team spirit and we gave a good team performance.

“I really enjoyed my rides, although I felt I let the side down with mistakes in a couple of my heats. In my fourth ride, I was in second place behind Adam McKinna and tried to go around the outside, and the door got shut. It was either “take him out” or “fall off”, and unfortunately it had to be the second option. I was a bit unlucky with my second exclusion, though. As we hit the corner, I straightened up and lifted, which took me into the adverse camber, and I had to bale off the bike. But I got three straight wins to start off with, popped in another in my fifth and ended the meeting with a paid win with a bent bike – my handlebar was a bit lopsided and didn’t feel too good on the track, but you have to make do with what you’ve got.

“I really want to step up another level this year. We’ve focused on what I did wrong in 2010. Last year, my gating was a big problem, so I’ve invested in two brand new clutches, which have cost about a grand, so at the moment it’s ridiculous money that I owe my dad, although I’ll pay him off eventually. Any additional sponsorship would be very gratefully received. It’s so important, no matter what the value. As things stand, I’d be happy to break even this year, but to do that I’ve got to ride out of my skin.

“I’m also focusing on the larger tracks. I’m normally quite good on the smaller circuits, but I had a guest spot at the Isle of Wight this last week, which is such a big track, and scored paid 6 from four starts on what was only my second visit there. The last time I was there, I scored 5 from seven starts, but I really learned so much from this experience. If I’m quick on small tracks and can gate well, and can get good on big tracks, there’s nothing to stop me carry on pushing forward. Hopefully, I can get a Premier League spot as soon as possible. That’s what I’m really after.”