Members from the North West travelled to Burton  On Trent to compete in the British Straight Racing Championships. A prestigious event running a 150 yd sprint against the fastest racing whippets in the country. The dedicated members and their dogs were rewarded with the following accolades:
28LB VETERAN RACING CHAMPION SLINKY
32LB BITCHES RACING CHAMPION WORTH IT,
32LB VETERAN RACING CHAMPION WHATS YOUR POINT, 
55lb VETERAN SCRATCH RACING CHAMPION BLACK ADMIRAL.
SUPREME VETERAN SCRATCH RACING CHAMPION BLACK ADMIRAL, 
24LB BITCH RUNNER UP LET IT FLO, 
 45LB VETERAN SCRATCH RACING CHAMPION MOLLY MAYHEM
45LB VETERAN SCRATCH RUNNER UP JÄGERMEISTER
24LB VETERANS RUNNER UP MARSHBROOK MEAVE
28LB BITCHES RUNNER UP ON THE BUTTON
45LB SCRATCH HEAT WIN MONOGRAM
Additionally, brilliant performances from  WEARDALE RONNIE, MADAM MOET AND SLINKY SYD. 
Sandra Barker also competed at Cheshire Game Fair with her lurchers with wins for her dogs Ollie and Tilly. 
​Massive well done to all members! 

Some good racing today for the team event, 4 teams of 5 dogs with team captains Johnathon (Red team), Kathryn (Blue team), Sandra (White team) & Scott (Black team) all choosing to play their joker with a chance to double or score zero points. Reds & Whites both won with their jokers Nancy & Dotty.
Red team got off to a great start with a win for On the Button in the first race, quickly followed by their joker Nancy coming in the winner in the 2nd race and another win in the 3rd race for Spectre, Blue & Black teams scored no points in this race as their jokers Roo (finished 3rd) and Sally (2nd by a nose) didn't win, blue team won the 4th race with Wombat, the White team managed to scrape up into second position in the final race with their joker Dotty coming in the winner but still 9pts behind the winning team.
Results:
Reds 26pts
Whites 17pts
Blues 10pts
Blacks 6pts
Some good trials with Bodie & Dennis having their first full distance from the traps, Tilly having her first full distance, Flynn & Nell both qualifying to race, Black Admiral, What's Your Point, Cherry Blossom, Slinky Syd, Marshbrook Meave all having the final runs in preparation for next weeks BWRA Championships. Judy had her second passing trial, this time giving more start to Dotty and doing so with ease, we'll put her under more pressure next time. Rufus attended for the first time and chased brilliantly. Trio did a very good time and Ash's new girl Sue looked to be moving in both her trials.  
Ocean Wisdom & Resonance both had the repeat of last week with big sister Harlee winning this week in a good time.  
Second round winners were Spectre (Lurcher Final), Worth it, Sally, Roo & Ebony.
A total of 43 dogs today, somehow we managed to stay relatively dry and avoid storm Gert.  
No racing next week as most of us will be away for the weekend but racing as normal the following Saturday.

​Great attendance for today's Trophy meeting with 38 dogs & tons of spectators enjoying the glorious sunshine. BBQ went down a treat and kept the girls busy. Raffle was immense with absolutely loads of prizes kindly donated by club members. Trophies were lovely donated by Linda and finished off with Jacqui's artwork. Stirling job once again by everyone who enables these meetings to go ahead week after week.
Results for the Trophy Races.
R. Roxy Sc
B. Tilly 8 1/2 - 1st
W. Alfie 13
R. Indie Sc - 1st
B. Jess 1/2
W. Zuma 4
R. Badger Sc
B. George 9 1/2 - 1st
W. Ella 12
BK. Snip Max
R. Worth It Sc - 1st
B. On The Button 3
W. Madam Moet 5 1/2
R. Ruby Sc N/R
B. Piper 3
W. Bella 12
BK. Ollie 12 - 1st
Slipped Races
R Caspar - 1st
B. Rocco
R. Liffy - 1st
B. Barry
Finals / 2nd Runs
Lurcher Final
R Indie Sc
B. Tillie 5 - 1st (Well done to Sandra 3 from 3 for her gang)
Lurcher Consolation
R Roxy Sc
B Jess 4
W Zuma 7 1/2 - 1st
Bk. Alfie 13 1/2
Whippets 
R Badger Sc
B George 7 1/2
W Ella 10 - 1st
Little Dogs 2nd Run
R. Snip Sc
B. Piper 11 1/2 - 1st
R. Bella Sc
B. Ollie Sc
Lurchers 2nd Run
R. Rocco - 1st
B. Caspar
W. Bryn 
BK. Ghost
R. Liffy - 1st 
B. Barry
Races were followed by loads of trials / mixed trials / halfways.
Presentation
All winners were presented with lovely trophies.
Additional classes went down well with prizes for Keenest Canine (little Wombat), Best Turned Out (Jess), Most Improved (Ella's steadily improved each week and today won her first race), Best Training Dog (Piper - this honest little dog is worth her weight in gold at the club and has schooled all the newcomers, nice to see her win a prize for her efforts, thanks as always to her owners Terry & Hannah for allowing us to use her), finally a last minute prize of Best Turned Out Owner (Sandra turned up looking far too dapper to not win something).
I'll get the times on tomorrow for those that are interested x

Another great turnout of 34 (can't believe the numbers we keep getting week in, week out). Only a bit of drizzle early on but things brightened up once we were ready to start racing. Thanks to everyone who volunteer to help in any way.
Race 1
Ollie Sc - 1st 12.03
Bella Sc

Race 2
Ruby Sc - 1st 11.31
Piper Sc

Race 1 & 2 both made up of crossbreeds, all 4 love the lure and more importantly all 100% honest, making them fab little dogs for trialing against newcomers, which they regularly do.

Race 3
Caspar - 1st 8.81
Rocco 
Ghost
Bryn

Race 4
Indy Sc
Jess 2 - 1st 9.22
Tilly 5

Race 5
George Sc
Ella 4 1/2
Penny 10 1/2 1st 9.69

Race 6 
Roxy Sc - 1st 9.03
Alfie 7 1/2

Chuffed with these pair. Kim & Carol’s hard work paying off, Roxy on her confidence in passing after some bad experiences at Lurcher events and Alfie on maintaining his focus when he got passed, at the pickup he looked to Roxy for a play but just a little encouragement at the end of the race and he was soon switched back on, massive improvement in just a few short weeks.

Trials that i got times for Tillie 9.82, Rossi 10.68, Loki 9.84, Freya 9.40, Brady 10.03, Frankie 9.65, Black Admiral 8.28, What's Your Rush 8.33, Worth It (1st 8.43) Sc & What's Your Point 2, On The Button 8.71.
Everyone tucked into Lynda's hotpot & Amanda's homemade biscuits in the break whilst the racing / trials were redone.
Indy Sc
Jess 1
Tilly 5 - 1st 9.13
Ollie Sc
Ruby Sc - 1st 11.29
Ghost 
Caspar
Bryn - 1st n/t
Rocco - 2nd
George Sc - 1st 9.97
Ella 2
Penny 8
Django Sc - 1st 10.00 (perfect first passing trial)
Piper 3

​Hoping to have some trophy races next week for members along with a BBQ (weather permitting) will post details nearer to the time.

Photo's kindly taken by Wild Whippies Photography

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​Can i just start off by saying thankyou to every single one of our members. When we lost A & T, our home ground of 20 years, we'd built up a decent membership, mostly Non Pedigree Whippets, had a regular handicap and were happy with things how they were, none of us wanted change. We did 12 months at Howe Bridge, lost lots of our regulars, did no promotion and all our "committee" lost interest in some way with racing in general. Personally, i was ready to pack in with racing, sick of the politics and the enjoyment was taken out of a hobby i'd been involved in for nearly 30 years. We viewed Kings Park and although a great track i had no hope really for a future as a club. Gradually coming around to the idea with John & Mark's encouragement we advertised across numerous facebook pages for newcomers to join us. There was loads of interest, regularly getting enquiries via our website / facebook page and people phoning every week wanting more info. First week back after the winter break was a hard one, every dog back to the drawing board, track like a mudbath, numerous issues, dogs tackling, dogs showing little interest, owners not in control of their dogs, things taking forever and a day. I know i'm not the only one who felt like throwing the towel in there and then. What's great about this "team" is someone has a shit time of it and we're all on the phone, boosting each other, telling each other things will get better, none of you know all this. From week 1 of 2016, things have improved every week, dogs showing much more interest, owners asking and taking advice, people just generally willing to learn because they can see the pleasure their dogs get from chasing and YOU are making everything worthwhile. We now have a fantastic team of helpers, everyone helping out in any way, even if you just socialize with newcomers, it's a way of including them and making them feel welcome, every bit helps and we're all so grateful. We've had some feedback that other clubs/racers are knocking us for allowing any breed, I can tell you now, we know which group of people we'd prefer to spend time with of a weekend, nothing gives me more pleasure that seeing the smile on Bella's (Labrador) face as she chases that lure, or Wombat's little legs going ten to the dozen as she chases, or Jersey and all his issue's putting a smile on Shirley's face, or little Ollie at 11 years old showing everyone that YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. I walked past someone today, she didn't know i heard but her comment to another owner was "i'm so glad i found this club", you don't know what it means to us, or how it makes it all worthwhile to hear things like that. Once again Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!!!! Today we saw so many dogs do their firsts. Penny won her first race and delighted her owner David, Duncan's Badger in his first 4 dog race gave 15yds start away and shifted through the pack like an old pro, spotting a gap and going for it, Mark's George, going from his first passing trial, straight into a competitive 4 dog race with ease, Jo's Olive, an agility dog, turned out in immaculate condition every time and always an eye catcher, out of traps, 4 dog race, handicapped and wins both times - bloody brilliant! Jess rescue'd 8 month's ago and her owners Lorraine, Mark &Kelly have turned up every week come solo or race, rain or shine just because the dog loves it so much, she recognises me as her means to a run, and comes up all lovey dovey doe eyed so she can get her own way.Amanda's stunning Ella, a few solo's under her belt took everything in her stride, muzzle / traps and ran against her first competition today. Kim's Roxy had done fast times but had previous bad experiences Lurcher Racing at Gamefairs, confidence totally knocked to the point that she'd pulled up in races when in company, loads of work by Kim and confidence boosting trials, today we saw her sail past another dog without batting an eyelid. Not only do the dogs and owners give us so much pleasure but to see the kids enjoy it so much, 10yr old Leigha does the lure kids job for us, keen to get involved, helps set up, brought her own stopwatch today and held the winners flags up, an absolute gem! Today Frank joined us, a former racer some many moons ago with his rescue whippet showing that once the bug bites no matter how long, you always get pulled back in. Results to follow xResults.
Non peds.
Worth It 8.44
Black Admiral 8.34
What's Your Point 8.59
What's Your Rush handslip
Monogram 8.66
Marshbrook Meave 8.71
Madam Moet Sc - 1st 8.75
Mo Hawk 2 1/2
Race 1 (Schooling Pass)
R George Sc - 1st 9.94
B Penny 1
Bess H/S 9.65
Race 2
R Tilly Sc - 4th
B Jess Sc - 3rd
W Indie Sc - 2nd
Bk Olive Sc - 1st 8.91
Ollie 12.38
Tillie H/S 9.78
Race 3 
R Badger Sc - 1st 9.38
B Snip 7 - 2nd
W Piper 9 - 3rd
Roxy Sc 8.88
Race 4
R Caspar H/S - 1st 
B Drifter H/S
Liffy H/S 9.19
Ella 10.09
Brady H/S
Scrumpy H/S
Rodney H/S
Keith H/S
Alfie 9.78
Race 5
R Bryn H/S 8.94
B Ghost H/S
The food always goes down well during the break, this week we were spoilt for choice with Linda's lovely homemade Pea & Ham Soup, Amanda's beautiful homemade cupcakes and David supplied a huge Apple Pie. Everyone enjoys a chat and brew, whilst the programme is being made out for the 2nd round. Thanks to Fiona for all the work she does serving everyone.
R Badger Sc - 1st 9.47 
B George 8 2nd 
W Snip 11 3rd
Bk Piper 15
A brilliant race, with each one leading at some stage, George in his first race, doing everything right hit the front at 3/4 with Badger charging through the pack 10 yards before the line to get up and win in impressive style.
R Ella Sc
B Penny 3 - 1st
Ella soon caught Penny and the pair ran neck and neck, Penny pulled away near the line to win by a couple of yards.
R Olive Sc - 1st 8.87
B Indie 1 - 2nd
W Jess 2 - 3rd
Handicapped this time after their first level break race, Olive found time yet again and despite giving start away for the first time still raced to victory, some brilliant racing for our Lurchers.
R Roxy Sc - 1st 8.85
B Tillie 2
Roxy wasn't phased at all and went past Tillie with ease, a great run. Thanks to Sandra for allowing us the use of Tillie for this schooling pass.
Ollie H/S 12.78
Alfie 9.91
R Caspar H/S - 1st 8.78
B Drifter H/S
Liffie H/S 9.09
Bryn 9.28
Brady 9.91
Thanks to our lure kid Leigha, superb job!
Now that we are having some good racing we have decided that in 2 weeks time, Saturday 7th May we will hold a trophy meeting. All being well with the weather we'll be having a BBQ too.
See you all next week x

Photo's kindly supplied by Anna Haas

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A brilliant day all round today, a cold wind but it stayed dry and was lovely when the sun came through the clouds. 
33 dogs attending with lots of dogs improving every week and growing in confidence with every run - nice to watch them progressing every week . 
Some firsts this week; Penny & Badger both had their first passing trials and passed perfect (Thanks to Terry for allowing us to use Snip and Piper, these two are worth their weight in gold, much appreciated).
George, Roxy, Ella & Django all trialed from a closed trap for the first time with no problems, next step to run in company.
More new dogs; Sky, Frankie, Crumpet, Brady & Ronnie all went well.
Lots of helpers setting up, lending a hand during racing & packing away. Fiona once again kept everyone in warm drinks and hot pot. Much appreciated.
As can be seen by the times, the track was drying up over the course of the day from 1st run to 2nd run. Hopefully things are on the up now with the weather.

Trials for the non peds first before kick off.
Black Admiral, Worth It, Jeigermeister, Spit n Image, Mo’s the Point, Weardale Ronnie, Monogram and a race between Mo Hawk, Marshbrook Meave & Madam Moet (Meave winning first time up and Moet turning her over in the 2nd run). Unfortunately Spit n Image came off lame, speedy recovery Leo xx
R Jess Sc – 1st 9.34
B Zuma 1

R Badger Sc – 1st 9.78
B Piper 1

Bryn – 1st 8.75
Ghost
Casper (h/s) 9.09 / 8.93
Roxy 9.12 / 8.97
Frankie 9.19
Flo 9.47
Barry (h/s) 9.94 / 9.75
Ella 10.34 / 10.09
Django 10.43 / 10.06
George 10.43 / 10.16
Tilly 10.47
Penny 10.69
Snip 10.82
Rossi 11.47
Sky n/t

Penny Sc – 1st 10.75
Piper 2

Jess Sc
Zuma 2 – 9.56

Badger Sc – 1st 9.65
Snip 4

Great turnout of 43 dogs for our first race meeting back.  Club regulars glad to be back on the track and newcomers all taking to the lure brilliantly.  Thankyou to everyone that helped out.