HAYES Hawks riders took flight to Andover as the South Region BMX race series kicked off.

Tate Kitson (pictured) flew into top spot on his 20in BMX and came a comfortable 3rd on his 24in cruiser.

Hawks had two riders in the male elite payback category. Cody Coker (15) mixed it with the big boys and was a respectable fifth, but Charlie Roy achieved a well-deserved first.

Sister Megan Roy also came first in the female elite category, making the siblings £160 richer and a force to be reckoned with.

Joel Prichard raced in the male eights. In the final, he shot out of the gate and was first to the holeshot line. But, despite battling hard to hold on to his lead, he just missed out, finishing second.

Joel’s sister Rachel rode in her first regional race. She didn't quite make the final, but she should get faster and stronger over the season.

Special mention also goes to the Stocks brothers, the Ford brothers and Elias Rus who also raced in their first regional race.

Malachi Smith came fourth in the male nines, Santiago Montano came seventh racing on his Cruiser, while Penny Blackburn was eighth among the bigger girls and Iris Hajda was seventh, despite a crash in the final, racing the 11-year-old boys.

The club’s other A finalists, Charlie Rough and Johnny Jackson, both raced on the big wheels to come fourth and eighth respectively.

The next regional round, at Cyclopark in Gravesend, will be at the beginning of April.

Hayes Hawks offers BMX lessons to anyone who can ride a bike. For more information, visit www.hawksbmx.co.uk