The creep of the passing weeks can be felt as the shadows lengthen and the dusk settles over the park earlier and earlier.

Race points are critical and the podium positions are either consolidating or disintegrating depending on your division.

So you'd think there would have been focus, commitment and hunger on the start line this week. But no!

With race co-ordinator Eric Day absent and last week’s division winners stepping up to assist with race briefing there was heckling, frivolity, distraction (just a little excited about the upcoming Tamworth five-hour race on May 6 and the BC Bikes $250 for King and Queen of the Mountain).

Big Kev couldn't get his bike right way round, Craig Roberts tried to sneak into the first wave off the start line and it has to be said the Dirtmasters were the best behaved on the startline.

Stevie Roberts has been playing with the roadies lately and it is certainly showing in some on track form with a ripper 46:25 win to take out the Elites category this week. All seven Elite racers were evenly matched with four laps apiece on a tough climb up the guts of Central Mountain.

Nick Chisholm came in second with Ben Clark giving Justin Roberts a hard time all race but just missing out on the sprint finish. Great job boys.

Well with Steve Mair away the mice were certainly playing in Division A. David Fisher completed the same course and laps as the Elite lads in an impressive 53:56. Peter Butler and Marty Siddons came in second and third only just over two minutes slower and with everyone's fitness and skills honing up Mair can't afford to relax for the rest of the series. Divison A rider Luke Deasey's skills were tested as he dodged a disgruntled roo disturbed from his peaceful sunset meditation overlooking Tamworth.

Our largest category of 19 racers in Division B seriously looks like a fun bunch of riders to spin around the trails with. Mick Allen demonstrated consistent form with a hot 52:25 and nemesis Peter Thistle was busting him from behind only six seconds back. We then have a newcomer on the leader board with Craig Morreski just missing out on getting out for his 6th lap but still pulling a third position.

Shake up time at the top for Division C. Ethan McDonald felt the sting of Nathan Sharples frustration this week with Nathan throwing down the gauntlet to take out first place by over four minutes. Well done Nathan (and good luck next week).

For the first time this series last season’s top podium racer Lisa Roberts made it to the podium to take out third so this could get even more interesting lads.

Our amazing Dirtmasters group of 28 little pinners had Division A racer Annie Buchan as their race leader this week and the dust was flying as they took off on their Dirty A and Dirty B closed loops along Hillside and Creekline.

They are such a supportive bunch of racers and I overheard two little girls cheering on their youngest racer when she made it up a short pinch for the first time.

Jock Barwick is crazy fast at the moment riding a solid 27:07 into first place in the Dirty As. Ben Shaw was seen having just a wee bit too much fun grabbing air off every little kicker he could find so he can really smile at his second place this week. Congratulations Lachlan Butters for chasing the boys down and grabbing a third place. One of our Dirty As was overheard asking dad at the end of the race whether he raced in Dirty C so just to set the record straight Adam...no, you don't get to ride with the cool kids.

Thomas Sylvester also rode a very solid 27:50 race, however, his lead is gradually being pulled back by the girls with Poppy Lefmann riding the same laps 1 1/2 min back for second place and Ella Wright making her first podium position this series for 3rd place.

Jasper Thistle may have had some company in the Recreation riders this week but he had his race face on and only 24 sec slower than the Dirty A winner. Amanda Shaw came second and Matthew John third. Thank you Rec riders for keeping the spirit of our Twilight Series and smiling the whole way round.

Next week’s race is going to be a cracker with a little taster of the upcoming Tamworth 5 hour race snuck in just to dial up the hurt, no wait, I mean fun, factor. See you there Wednesday 5.30pm for rego and skills sessions with Marty and the NIAS crew, Race briefing and start 6.15pm and stay on to wrap up your mid week night of fun with Chicken, chips and salad 7.15pm.