By Rod Morris
There was no shortage of international and interstate "intruders" to make significant impacts on the recently finished Basslink Tasmanian Carnival Series.
Organisers of the six day-four track series, were thrilled with the ability to attract riders from 10 different countries and every Australian State to the 115th carnival series and were equally thrilled when the spoils of victory were spread around.
Exciting young Queenslander Aaron Kemps topped the Sports Carnivals Association of Tasmania (SCAT) official Order of Merit with earnings of $8020 from the Latrobe Boxing Day Carnival to the rain affected Burnie Carnival.
Admittedly Kemps' earnings were boosted significantly boosted by his stunning win in the time honoured Latrobe Wheel, the first leg of the Tasmanian Grand Slam of handicap wheelraces.
Riding from an already tight mark of 120 m, Kemps held off a close challenge from durable NSW all-rounder Warren Doyle, with local Launceston rider Caleb Manion flashing home for third.
Another young Launceston cyclist Andrew Loft forged his way into the record books when he won the 2000 m Launceston Wheel at the indoor Silverdome track.
With no real victories of any note to his credit, Loft was the surprise packet of the field and caught minor placegetters Sean Sullivan (90) 2nd; Ben Elliott (150), 3rd and Jason Johnson (190) 4th on the hop.
The travelling Tasmanian Carnivals sideshow circus then moved to Devonport for two nights of non-stop action with affable Japanese rider Keiichi Maruyama winning the sentimental Kym Smoker Memorial Mersey Wheelrace on the opening programme.
American ace Jame Carney added the 65th Devonport Wheelrace to his growing list of Tasmanian Carnivals wins on the fifth session of the carnivals, winning from fellow scratchmen Darren Young, Adriano Baffi and Nathan Clarke.
Scratchmen tend to dominate the Tasmanian 3000 m wheelraces, particularly at Burnie, which is traditionally the end of the Carnival Series.
Given the fact most riders are becoming more tired after a tough week of racing and there is always a growing list of injuries and scratchings, it was therefore surprising that the "backies" simply couldn't get themselves organised for the prestigious Burnie Wheel, despite there was five of the elite riders there.
As it was Sheffield 17-year-old Mark Jamieson repeated the performance of his father Kevin, who won the Burnie Wheel in 1971 and 1972.
Jamieson (Mark) is one of Tasmania's most exciting young prospects and has only recently returned from competing in the World Junior Track Championships in Trexlertown, USA.
In a one-sided sprint to the line, Jamieson won with metres to spare from Devonport veteran John Abblitt and Tassie's best road rider Sean Sullivan.
The Tasmanian Carnivals' major sponsor, Basslink was recognised with naming rights to an International Invitational Keirin Series, but Victorian Olympian Shane Kelly turned it into a one-sided affair by winning the finals at all four venues.
The A Grade Scratch races at each track were all exciting events with winners being Robert Wilson (Latrobe 16 km), Shane Kelly (Latrobe 8 km), Jame Carney (Devonport 16 km and Burnie 5 km) and Jeff Hopkins (Devonport 8 km). Unfortunately the Burnie 16 km was washed out the only event cancelled throughout the entire series.
The Latrobe 8 km A Grade Scratch carried $4000 in prizemoney and lap bonuses, making it arguably the richest race of its kind in Australia.
The introduction of the SCAT website has helped enhance the reputation of the Tasmanian Carnivals and more information can be obtained from www.tascarnivals.com.au