Weekly crit racing starts at Hillingdon, West London tonight (7 April), with the BC West Thames Promotions series offering weekly racing for experienced and newcomers alike.

For the first three weeks the proceedings start at 6.30pm with a 30min youth race, followed by the senior race, with the E/1/2/3 and 4/W category riders split by 45secs. The distance is decided by the available light that evening.

For the fourth meeting onwards the time of start is at 6.45pm as the evenings get longer. All races qualify for BC ranking points. There are also cash prizes for the first six in each senior race and this year the introduction of prizes for the first six 3rd category riders, wherever they finish in the main race, which is now possible through the regular use of Hillingdon’s own photo finish equipment. The prizes are awarded regardless of the number of starters with the main list increased this year to a range from £30 down to £15.

The organisers are now offering a £15 prize for the first woman in the main race, if there are more women starters then the prize list will be extended. The youth racing is based on a league system.

After record fields for the Saturday winter series and excellent entries for the subsequent Saturday meetings, the organisers look forward to big fields once again for the popular Tuesday series.