Sammi takes on the boys at Knockhill

Sportsdesk Sportsdesk - 1021 • Last updated 4 Jun 2008 12:59 0 Comments

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SAMMI Tasker (Wee Sammi), as she is affectionately known amongst the racing fraternity, and her big brother Andrew took part in the second round of the Kirkcaldy and District Motorcycle Club Championship at Knockhill racing circuit.

There were over twenty 125"s on the grid as well as another two groups - the classics class and the Formula 400"s which took the total up to over thirty on the grid.

As both kids have been racing since age six, which started with moto-cross, moving onto mini-moto"s and now progressing up to the larger capacity faster 125 class, they have tallied up six Scottish Championships between them, with Andrew narrowingly missing out on yet another title last year when he managed to finish second in last years 125 championship.

This meeting was more than slightly different and more exciting as Wee Sammi stepped up her game and managed to hold on to big bro"s tail to qualify next to Andrew in third place with Andrew just pipping her to second place. These efforts were for both a massive improvement as especially Sam normally ends up on the third row, with Andrew at best third or fourth on the grid on row one.

In race one Sammi"s start let her down big time and she ended up going backwards to about eighth into the first corner, before fighting back through the ranks during the race to eventually catching up with and holding onto Andrew into the last hairpin - she then 'out dragged' Andy up the hill and beat him by a matter of thousandths of a second over the finishing line. A second and third for the young Taskers - a good result says Andrew, 'but I will beat her in the next race.'

Race two, with both starting from the same qualifying positions took off again with Andy getting to the first corner in the top three, but alas again Sammi made a mess of her start, going backwards again through the pack.

At the time the race was red-flagged, Andrew was in second place with that 'Wee Lass Sammi' on his tail but as the rules go, due to the red flag situation the race result has to go back a lap - and would you believe it Sammi crossed the line before Andrew and got her second second place of the day with Andy relegated to third.

Overall a good day"s racing with both kids enjoying the tussles and picking up cash prizes - nothing of which mum and dad have seen yet!

Not only did Andrew pick up the overall cash prize for third and Sammi overall second prize, but as it also turns out Sammi broke the lap record for the fastest ever female to race round the famous knockhill circuit on a formula series 125cc motorcycle - 64.612 seconds. This is a fair effort considering the race winner was himself racing in the 63-64 second bracket.

Andrew"s comment for the day was that he himself "had raced well and it was about time after racing for about seven years that his little sister managed to at least catch him as he had showed her all the best racing lines."

Both kids would again like to thank Ann of the Motor Company (Alloa) for helping with the transport, Cameron at the Sign shop for the graphics for the bikes and van, Clackmannanshire Community Chest for helping with buying the safety equipment, Roy for fixing the race suits, Jim Allan"s for all the help with bike parts, Shug of Fastrack Water Services for his support, Wee Jim for his welding repairs and all our friends and family for their continued support over the years.

If anyone would like to help the youngsters - no matter how small, please contact Ann on 07921177072.

This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 05 Jun 08

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