Another bumper crowd of 22 riders across four grades was a sign that we were all hopeful that the weather would hold out.
A-grade
Max Trewhella returned with Tour of Margaret River legs to take on George Griffiths, Josh Thomson, Kevin Laffy and Nick Woods, with George Griffiths blasting off from the gun.
Ever the aggressor, Max led from the front with the bunch chasing his tail, and the pace was frenetic.
Mid-race, it was George on the front dishing out the pain, as, uncharacteristically, Nick Woods found himself off the back.
In scenes reminiscent of his club champs victory last season, Kevin Laffy went early into the final lap and created a good break before the chasers came through, with Max Trewhella taking the win from Josh Thomson and George Griffiths in third.
B-grade
Another strong field in B-grade with Scott Moller, Bryce Denham, Francis Lias, Cam Smith and Nick McNair on the start line.
The bunch looked very even, who would have the strength or nous to take the win.
As expected, the pace was high with Cam and Francis regularly providing the grunt on the front, unable to shake the fast men Bryce and Scott.
As they entered the final three laps, the pace slackened, and it looked as though it would be a sprinter's race.
On the bell lap, it was Scott Moller who led down the back straight and blasted to the win from a fast-finishing Bryce Denham, with Francis Lias in third.
C-grade
After weeks of Will Kettle dominance, the field looked forward to racing in his absence with Billy Sutton, Matt Dobeli, Dave Faulkner, Neil Thomson and Mel Smolenaars to fight it out.
After last week's strong pace, the trend continued, with Neil in particular stretching the group with every lap on the front.
In the chaos of A-grade passing, gaps opened, and Mel Smolenaars, aka the rubber band that never snaps, regained the rear of the bunch.
Into the final lap, it was Billy riding strongly on the front, but could he hold off the fast finishing riders?
As he crossed the line and raised his arms in scenes evoking Kate Winslet in Titanic, it was a maiden win for Billy, with Dave Faulkner second and Neil Thomson in third.
D-grade
Winter race series regular Dave Menzies lined up for his EMCC Crit debut, joining Neil Ennis, Paul Oman, Dave Oman, Heather Lias, Jerrod Davison and Ray Hamilton.
It was a cautious start to the night's D-grade race, with riders content to clock up some laps at a steady pace.
Race favourite Dave Menzies looked comfortable in his first race on the tight EMCC Crit track.
In a strong effort, evergreen Ray Hamilton stayed locked on the wheel and kept pace with the bunch in an impressive ride.
Into the final stages, the pace quickened, and the key riders moved to the front with Paul, Dave x2, Jerrod, Neil and Heather all popping up to test their legs.
Into the final lap, it was Dave Menzies who surged clear and crossed the line in the most comfortable victory of the night, with Neil Ennis continuing his strong form in second and Paul Oman third.
Thanks to Lenny, Kaz and Troy Griffiths who stepped up to fill H's shoes as race directors, and welcome to the new members of the EMCC Committee following our AGM, good times ahead for EMCC.
30°C