Buzzbee Youth Racing Series - Event #1

Today (January 16) was the first event of a four race series. The overall point’s winner of the series in each age group will win a BMX bike worth over $400(US retail). The top ten of the 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 age groups will win free placement in the Buzzbee Youth Summer training program.

It was wet but the competitors battled on bravely!

What is the Buzzbee Youth Racing Series about?

This is the first event of a four race series based on points for performance.  The best three events will be totaled and the overall points winner in the four age groups will win a BMX bicycle valued at (US retail) $400.  The top ten riders of the 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 boys and girls will have the opportunity to be part of the BSAFE Youth Development program this summer.  The objective of the racing series and the summer camp is to find the future cycling champions of the BVI capable of representing the territory throughout the Caribbean.

Who showed up?

Despite very wet rainy overcast conditions that started on Friday morning and continued throughout the racing on Saturday, a total of 39 riders registered to take part in the First Event of the Buzzbee Youth Racing Series.  Only 2 very young riders chose not to start the event, opting to watch from the sidelines.  A half dozen potential competitors missed the registration cutoff time despite a 25 minute start delay due to heavy rain.  A few 17 year olds showed up willing to get wet, but there is no category for this age group at this time. 

When is the next Buzzbee Youth Racing Series event?

The dates have been set for the remaining three events.

Saturday March 27

Saturday May 22

Saturday July 10

Competitors who missed the first event have not missed out on winning the overall because everyone can miss an event and not be penalized.   The points system is set i such a way that the more competitors there are in an event the heavier the points awarded towards the overall.    

Why was this first event so successful?

BSAFE continues to find new ways to generate interest in cycling for our youth today by providing free afterschool programs and events such as the Buzzbee Racing Series; however none of BSAFE’s efforts would succeed without sponsorship and a tremendous volunteer support network.

“First I would like to thank the Ministry of Education for its title sponsorship role of the whole program , Caribbean Alliance and their agents Caribbean Insurers, Burke’s Garage, Ogier and PricewaterhouseCoopers for their considerable support,” said Chris Ghiorse the director of BSAFE. “The Buzzbee Youth event would have not been possible without the large group of dedicated volunteers who showed up under rainy conditions.  The HLSCC was kind enough to allow me to use their field providing the Buzzbee event with a safe area for all the age groups to race.  DJ Outlaw provided me with a great wireless PA system to keep the races organized and the Red Cross gave everyone confidence we were properly prepared.”