Ulysse Delsaux crowns himself 2018 ELITE 2 champion

 

BY

GGUIGLIA1 HOMETRACKS.NASCAR.COM OCTOBER 21, 2018

The 2018 ELITE 2 season is in the books and Ulysse Delsaux (#3 Tepac RDV Competition Toyota Camry) is the 2018 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series ELITE 2 Division champion. The Frenchman finished third in the second Circuit Zolder Final, just behind his main opponent Florian Venturi (#32 Go Fas Racing Ford Mustang), who came just short in the championship battle but brought home the Rookie Cup. Guillaume Dumarey (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet Camaro) won the race in dominant fashion in front of his home crowd.

Entering the last race of the season, Delsaux had keep a close eye on Venturi, who was only 8 points behind him. Venturi overtook early but only managed to finish second, so the RDV Competition driver could control his own destiny and bring home the first title of his career.

The ELITE 2 championship represents a unique achievement for Delsaux, who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome early in his life and found in racing a way to express himself. The 21-year-old grew incredibly both as a driver and as a young man in his five years in Euro NASCAR and bringing RDV Competition their very first NASCAR drivers title further adds to Ulysse’s excitement.

“It’s unbelievable”, said Delsaux after winning the 2018 ELITE 2 championship. “Before the race I was really stressed. I tried to control my emotions and focus just on the race like always in this amazing season. Many, many thanks to my team: they were incredible, they all did a great job. Also thanks to my family and fans who are always supporting me. I really don’t have the words right now!”

Dumarey, who put up a dominant performance at his hometrack, was able to lead the race flag-to-flag, winning his second race of the season. The Belgian had a technical issue in the first Final but managed to come back to the track and post the fastest lap of the race to start from the pole in Final 2. That proved to be key in today’s strong performance.

“Yesterday was disappointing because of the problem we had,” said the Belgian, who turned 32 two days ago. “But we came back and grabbed the win today. I’m really happy. This weekend we were the quickest and we wanted the win so bad because of the bad luck we had during the whole season. My wife and my little kid are watching at home and cheering for me. The team did a great job and we are happy to win here in front of our home crowd.”

Venturi, who finished second in the race, came up short in the championship by just 6 points. But the 17-year old Frenchman won the Rookie Cup and will get a chance to race in NASCAR in the USA. He defeated Nicholas Risitano (#8 Racers Motorsport Ford Mustang) and Kenko Miura (#2 Alex Caffi Motorsport Toyota Camry), who completed the 2018 Rookie Cup podium.

Seventeenth under the checkered flag, Jerry De Weerdt (#78 Braxx Racing Ford Mustang) won the Legend Trophy for a record third consecutive time, setting a new record. There has never been a driver in the history of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series to win any title or trophy three times in a row. He beat Francesco Parli (#31 Race Art Technology / Blu Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro) and Arianna Casoli (#54 CAAL Racing Toyota Camry), who closed the Legend Trophy top-3.

Carmen Boix Gil (#1 Alex Caffi Motorsport Ford Mustang) won the close battle for the 2018 Lady Cup by finishing 21th, just ahead of Arianna Casoli. At the end of a tense, season-long battle, just 3 points separated the two contenders.

Coming from the very back of the field, Canadian driver Jean-François Dumoulin (#04 Spectra Premium – RDV Competition Toyota Camry) climbed up to 15th in his second ever NWES race as part of the first drivers exchange between two NASCAR International Series.

The ELITE 2 Division of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will return in 2019 and next season’s schedule will be revealed in the upcoming weeks. Delsaux will now head to Charlotte for the traditional prize giving ceremony at the NASCAR Hall Of Fame.

ELITE 2 FINAL 2 RESULTS

 

Winners!! Rachel and Kade both bring home the rainbow stripes!! Race Report: UCI World Championships 2018

It was an absolutely awesome day in Lenzerheide with World Championships wins for both Rach and Kade and a 3^rd place podium for Mille! What a storming finale to the season!

Finals day dawned hot. The track was the driest it has been all week and conditions were “pretty much perfect”. Lenzerheide is renowned for being tricky and loose with big drops, huge roots, tree stumps and rock gardens – there would be plenty to keep both riders and crowds entertained!

Practise and Qualifying

Both practise and quals were pretty rowdy! Our Atherton Academy rider Mille  ( riding for Norway) had a huge practice crash, she landed on top of her close friend Paula Zibasa and had to watch Paula helicoptered off the hill. Come quals she had a bit of a shaky start, stalling four times in the top section, but in the bottom section she was on fire, closing to just 12 seconds behind Vali Holl to go into 2^nd.

In the Junior Mens’s race Kade was delighted with a Quals win 8 seconds clear of the field and for the Women’s Elites Rach edged out Tahnee Seagrave who crossed the line 0.66 back. Myriam Nicole was DQ’ed for going outside of a pole.

There were certainly no foregone conclusions going into Sunday!

Finals

First up was Mille. She had a strong start but a crash after the third corner cost her valuable time. Mille said “I had a good start and after my crash was a really good run too so yeah I’m happy to be on the podium but sad at the same time!”

And then there was Kade.

 We first met a 13 year old Kade when came to an Experience day with his dad and he’s been part of the team since he joined the Atherton Academy in 2014. We’ve believed in him every minute of the way so the entire team were stoked to see his huge potential realized today with a World Championships win in his last ever ride as a Junior. – and by a massive 4.4 seconds!

Kade said “Massive thanks to everybody who has had my back  - this season has been tough but today blows everything out of the water!”

 

In the Women’s race Myriam Nicole put quals misfortune behind her with a scorching run to take the lead by over 5 seconds.

 Then just the top three qualifiers were left on course.

Tracey Hannah didn’t make any major mistakes but didn’t quite get in to contention with Pompon , then Tahnee came out flying – 1.2 seconds up by the second split, she rode a little more conservatively in the middle sections, through the site of her qualifications crash , she was 0.2 back by split 4 crossing into  the hotseat by just 0.6.

Could Rachel better her closest rival and neighbour to take her 5^th Elite gold medal and 6^th World Championship?

Yes she could! Rachel was on fire! Going 3 seconds up by split 1 and 6 seconds clear by split 2, her intentions were very clear! She was 8.5 seconds up by split 3 in a total league of her own and she kept on the attack all the way to the line, crossing 9.98 seconds clear of the field!

Rachel said “I’m stoked!!  This was the Worlds run so I knew that I had to throw everything at it, I knew it would have to be special, all the way down I thought I was going to crash! Tahnee and PomPon have been pushing me so hard all season, I was watching them all weekend thinking “ I’m going to have to push on… I’m buzzing!”

Gee was devastated not to have been selected for the Men’s team for the first time in his career – despite a storming return to form that saw him finish 9^th in the World Cup overall so he was on indispensable line-spotting duties this weekend and come the Men’s Finals the team yelled for our ex team-mate and Atherton Academy star Martin Maes! The race was super tight with less than a second between the top four and Maes-dog’s 2^nd place podium was a small consolation. Congratulations  to Loic Super-Bruni on the win!

Finals results

Elite Women

1 Rachel Atherton Trek Factory Racing DH 3.15.73

2 Tahnee Seagrave +9.98

3  Myriam Nicole +10.67

4 Marine Cabirou ++15.96

5 Tracey Hannah +20.72

Junior Men

1 Kade Edwards  GBR 3.03.22

2 Kye Ahern AUS +4.4

3 Elliot James CAN 5.43

4 Thibault Daprela FR 5.811

5  Henry Kerr GBR 5.815

Junior Women

1 Vali Holl  AUT 3.39.72

2 Anna Newkirk USA +10.88

3 Mille Johnset  NOR + 16.69

4 Nastasia Gimenez FRA+17.29

5 Paula Zibasa  LAT +22.7

Elite Men

1        Loic Bruni  FRA 2.5.11

2        Martin Maes BEL 2.55.32 + 0.21

3        Danny Hart GBR 255.41 + 0.3

4        Loris Vergier FR 2.55.86 + 0.75

5        5  Aaron Gwin USA 2.56.45 + 1.3

Quals Results

Junior Women

1 Vali Holl 3.59.02

2 Mille Johnset  + 12.32

3 Anna Newkirk +14.7

4 Mathilde Bernard +21.97

5 Paula Zibasa +35.433

Junior Men

1 Kade Edwards 3.11.17

2 Patrick Butler +8.2

3 Kye Ahern +9.94

4 Thibault Daprela   10.61

 5 Giacomo Masiero +12.12

Elite Women

1 Rachel Atherton Trek Factory Racing DH 3.38.07

2 Tahnee Seagrave +0.66

3 Tracey Hannah  +5.44

4 Cecile Ravanel  +9.70

5 Marine Cabirou +12.01

Elite Men

1 Brook Macdonald 3.03.20

2 Loris Vergier ).6)

3 Connor Fearon +1.78

4 Martin Maes GT Factory Racing  +1.84

5  Aaron Gwin + 2.18

First place for Rach, Second for Gee,Third for the juniors & Team of the Day at La Bresse!! Race Report: UCI World Cup 2018 Round 7

Today was one for the archives with a spectacular win for Rachel and a nail-biting second for Gee that shows he’s right back where he should be. The juniors both podiumed in third, Charlie put yesterday’s qualification tension behind him with  solid 29th place and we were team of the day – 2nd in the tem overall.

Racing from La Bresse today was savage.  The course is the shortest on the circuit this year but the first rainy race of the season was absolutely brutal! Luckily the team’s training in the harsh Welsh environment stood them in massively good stead!

First up was Mille who said “ it was good, I wasn’t taking any risks after yesterday’s crash , keeping control, but I was just happy to be racing and getting down safe!”


She finishes the season 5th overall.

Then Kade, first qualifier yesterday took another third place and finishes his final season as a junior in third overall.

Then it was time for the Women’s Elites.

In “one of the hardest races” of her career;  through fog, rain, and standing water Rachel  laid down the power to take her 37th World Cup win. It was her 3rd win of the 2018 season and enough for her 6th World Cup Overall title – more than any other female rider in the history of the sport.

Rachel had qualified second to Tahnee Seagrave and she knew that today’s race would require something extra special. She said “I tried to think strategically – maybe I should have played safe and focused on the overall – I needed to come 4th or maybe 5th today to clinch the title but as soon as I’m in the start-gate I just want to race! Tahnee had such an epic run in qualis that I knew I’d have to go full blast!

Rachel was aggressive from the start, extending her lead every split to cross the line 11.66 seconds clear of the field. Only Tahnee Seagrave was left on course.

Tahnee fought valiantly but crossed the line 0.6 seconds back leaving Rachel to claim the spoils.

Charlie improved hugely on yesterday's quals to finish a solid 29th.

Could it be a fairytale ending for the team?  Gee had qualified first but the new rules meant that he started well down the field. When he came on track our friend and Atherton Academy graduate the Enduro star Martin Maes was in the hotseat after an absolutely spectacular run.

Gee went into the green by split 1, he dabbed a foot but extended by split 2 to 1.77 seconds clear, then he lost a little time and slip-slided through to the finish 1.39 back on Maes. It was a pattern that would be repeated all afternoon.

The team  held their breath as rider after rider failed to get in touch with either Martin Maes or Gee,  second place today for Gee and into the top 10 of the overall rankings at number nine.

Gee said "Massive congrats to my brother Martin Maes for that win, so stoked to finish the World Cup season on full charge!"

Junior Women

1 Vali Holl 2.56.14

2  Paula Zibasa Sram Young Guns Racing 3.13.71 +17.56

3 Mille Johnset 3.14.62 +18.47

Junior Men

1 Thibault Daprela  Commencal/Vallnord 2.34.29

2 Henry Kerr Propain Dirt Sixpack 2.35.01 +0.72

3 Kade Edwards Trek Factory Racing DH 2.35.04 +0.7

Elite Women

1 Rachel Atherton Trek Factory Racing DH 2.51.42

2 Tahnee Seagrave Transition bikes/Muc-off 2.52.05 +0.63

3 Myriam Nicole Commencal/Vallnord 3.03.08 +11.66

4 Tracey Hannah  Polygon UR 3.03.45 +12.03

5 Katy Curd 3.06.53 +15.11

Elite Men

1 Martin Maes GT Factory Racing 2.26.84

2 Gee Atherton Trek Factory Racing 2.28.23 + 1.39

3 Brook Macdonald MS Mondraker team 2.29.96 +3.12

4 Remi Thirion Commencal/Vallnord 2.30.62 + 3.78

5 Bernard Kerr Pivot Factory Racing 2.31.0 4.16

Rachel Atherton wins at La Bresse! That’s a record-breaking 6 World Cup Overalls! Race Report: UCI World Cup 2018 Round 7

In “one of the hardest races of (her) career” through fog, rain, driving water and a short but SAVAGE track at la Bresse in Northern France UK rider Rachel Atherton has taken her 37^th World Cup win,  her 3^rd of the 2018 season and enough for her 6^th World Cup Overall title – more than any other female rider in the history of the sport.

Rachel had qualified second to fellow Brit Tahnee Seagrave and knew that todays race would require something extra special. She said “ I tried to think strategically – maybe I should have played safe and focused on the overall – I needed to come 4^th or maybe 5^th today to clinch the title but as soon as you are in the start-gate I jut want to race! Tahnee had such an epic run in qualifiers that I knew Id have to go full blast!

Rachel was aggressive from the start going into pole position by split 1 and extending her lead every split after that to cross the line 11.66 seconds clear of the field. Only Seagrave her close neighbour in the Welsh borders  and close rival throughout this entire season was left on course.

Tahnee fought valiantly but crossed the line 0.6 seconds back  leaving Rachel to claim the spoils.

Elite Women

1 Rachel Atherton Trek Factory Racing DH 2.51.42

2 Tahnee Seagrave Transition bikes/Muc-off 2.52.05 +0.63

3 Myriam Nicole Commencal/Vallnord 3.03.08 +11.66

4 Tracey Hannah  Polygon UR 3.03.45 +12.03

5 Katy Curd 3.06.53 +15.11

Silverline Bike Security Advice

According to crime statistics, more than 376,000 bicycles are stolen each year, which works out at about one every 90 seconds. There is some evidence that bike thefts overall have steadily decreased from a 2011 high of 515,000.

But - while opportunistic theft of low-value, unlocked bikes remains by far the most common offence - the number of high-value bicycles being stolen is increasing. That worrying trend has been attributed, at least in part, to the rise in popularity of ride-tracking apps such as Strava, Relive and CycleMaps.

Police believe that technology-savvy thieves are using information cyclists share on the internet to locate houses where expensive bikes are being stored.

More than half of all cycle thefts in the UK occur in and around the victim’s home, in places like gardens, passageways and in outbuildings such as sheds and garages.

Silverline, proud partners of this year’s Prudential RideLondon series and one of the biggest and best-loved tool brands, offers these top tips for securing your bike effectively:

• Check the privacy settings on both ride-tracking apps and social media accounts. Change the settings so that, if you still want to share your ride statistics online, only friends and connections can see your starting and finishing position.
   
  For extra security, consider randomising your start position, switching the app on 100 metres or so away from home to confuse the data.
   
• Use an appropriate lock. If you are leaving your bicycle outside or in an outbuilding, make sure you use a high-quality lock which can’t be easily broken. Chains can be easily snipped so, if your bike is high in value, spend a little extra on a U-Lock. Bike locks are graded ‘Sold Secure’ gold, silver and bronze. Silverline’s High Security Bicycle U-Lock, made from ultra-hardened steel, has been graded gold, offering the highest level of security. View the range here http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Bike%20Tools/Bike%20Security
  
For further peace of mind, Silverline also sells dummy security cameras which are a cheap and effective way to make would-be burglars think again. View the link here http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Security/Electronic%20Security/614458

• If you must leave your bike outside, lock it to something secure. The best locks will be useless if the object the bike is attached to can be easily broken. Mesh fencing, for example, can be easily snipped with wire cutters. Also, be mindful about attaching bicycles to poles in streets. If they are not tall enough, the whole bike can be simply lifted over the top.
   
  Select a place to leave your bike which is well lit, in public view and, ideally, near visible CCTV.
   
• The frame, front wheel and back wheel must all be locked. Just locking the front wheel means it can be easily detached and the rest of the bike stolen. If you only have one lock, remove the wheels and feed the lock through all the separate parts.
   
• Registering your bike is important. It deters thieves if they see it has been marked, and it also increases the chances of getting it back if the worst does happen. This can be done at www.bikeregister.com

As the number of £1,000-plus bicycles in the UK increases, it’s sadly inevitable that there will be thefts. It is impossible to completely safeguard against theft of any sort, but the risk can be minimised by following these easy, inexpensive steps.

Race report, World Cup Round 1, Losinj

Podiums for Mille, Kade and Rachel as tricky conditions take their toll

A physical, short and intense track provided a wild finals day at Losinj. Weeks of sunshine had turned it to dust and the rubber left behind after every run made the rocks increasingly slippery. As a result, the event ended with a mix of results for the riders. All happily showed off their pace, but nobody really found their flow across Losinj’s sharp rocks.

However, the team can celebrate a podium for Mille Johnset. In her first ever Junior race, our Atherton Academy star took third place, with Valentina Holl coming out on top.

Mille said: “I had a swollen ankle all weekend, then I crashed in practice, so I was even more nervous for finals. I couldn’t bend my knee properly, but I [thought]: ‘Here goes!’

“It was a bit of messy run; I almost crashed again after where I came off in practice. There was a really small drop where I nearly went OTB but I managed to recover ‒ it was pretty ragged from then on. I wasn’t happy with the run, but I’m really happy with third place!”

Team director Dan Brown added: “[I’m] Happy for Mille today. It’s great that there is so much competition in the Junior Women’s [Section] this year, she’s going to have some work to do!”

Women’s Junior Finals Results 

 

1 Valentina Holl 2.50.09
2 Nastasia Gimenez 3.02.61 [+12.52]
3 Mille Johnset 3.06.71 [+16.77]
4 Paula Zibasa (SRAM Young Guns Racing) 3.07.41 [+17.32]

5 Anna Newkirk 3.12.21 [+22.12]

 

Meanwhile, in the Junior Men’s Section, Academy graduate Kade Edwards also earned himself a podium spot, fighting hard to take second place. There was some great racing between the top three. It looks like there is going to be an exciting season ahead for all of the juniors.

First qualifier Kade was left disappointed with his run, however. A mistake at the top cost him a lot of speed, but it’s worth remembering he’s been back on the big bike for just two weeks.

Kade said: “Stoked to be on good pace but gutted not to put the right run together today.”

Men’s Junior Finals Results

1 Thibaut Daprela (Commencal/Vallnord) 2.25.17
2 Kade Edwards (Trek Factory Racing DH) 2.26.82 [+1.64]
3 Kye A’Hern (Canyon Factory Downhill Team) 2.28.65 [+3.47]
4 Lucas Cruz 2.30.78 [+5.61]

5 Matteo Iniguez 2.32.58 [+7.40]

 

By the time the top five women came on track Cecile Ravanel was in charge: Five seconds clear of the field and poised to take her first ever World Cup podium. Tahnee Seagrave, who was disappointed with her qualifying run, put in a very aggressive performance to push Ravanel all the way, making up two seconds by the first split.

Seagrave lost a little pace through the drops but recovered in the final sprint to go fastest. This made her the first to beat Rachel’s qualifying time as she clocked 2.44.48 with four riders left on the course.

Marine Cabirou then slotted into second, while Myriam Nicole, who was down 0.5s at the first split, rode a very clean next section to take the lead by split two. Extending her advantage to 3.4s by split three, Nicole crossed the line to take the lead, finishing in 2.40.70 – seven seconds faster than Rachel’s winning qualifier. The pressure was on!

Tracey Hannah, who rode sore after a crash this week, didn’t quite get into contention before a big crash in the lower section put her out of the running.

Finally, Rachel was on course. Up by 0.6s at split one, she looked smooth through split two – but not as smooth as ‘Pom Pom’ across the sharp rocks. One-and-a-half seconds down, Rachel lost more time and was trailing by three seconds at split three. She was fastest again in the bottom pedal but it wasn’t enough to win, leaving her in second.

Rachel said: “[I’m] disappointed with my run today. [I] struggled to find any flow or carry speed, but that’s the comeback race done.”

Women’s Elite Finals Results

1 Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Vallnord) 2.40.70

2 Rachel Atherton (Trek Factory Racing DH) 2.44.26 [+3.55]

3 Tahnee Seagrave (Transition Bikes/Muc-Off Factory Racing) 2.44.48 [+3.77]
4 Marine Cabirou (Voulvoul Racing) 2.45.93 [+5.22]

5 Cecile Ravanel 2.48.41 [+7.71]

Finally, Charlie Hatton, who qualified in 34^th, also struggled today. He explained: “[I’m] happy to get through this weekend without injury or a mechanical [issue] and [I’m] looking forward to Fort William to make amends.” He came home in eighth, 0.3s faster than his qualifying time, which was enough secure him 38^th.

Gee, meanwhile, had qualified 22^nd. As Rachel did he rode a quick top section, taking the lead by 0.1s at split one, but like Rachel he couldn’t sustain that lead through the top of the rocks. Down by about 1.5s at split two, he made up a little time through splits three and four, crossing the line into 3^rd, in 2.25.27, which left him 19^th at the end.

Gee said: “Well that was a wild one! Stoked to be through the weekend in one piece and with a solid place to build from.”

Men’s Elite Finals Results
1 Aaron Gwin (The YT Mob) 2.19.19

2 Luca Shaw (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 2.19.99 [+0.79]

3 Lucas Dean (Intense Factory Racing) 2.20.32 [+1.13]
4 Sam Blenkinsop (Norco Factory Racing) 2.21.10. [+1.91]
5 Dakotah Norton (Unior/Devinci Factory Racing) 2.21.82  [+2.62]

 

Other results
19 Gee Atherton (Trek Factory Racing DH) 2.25.27 [+6.08]
38 Charlie Hatton (Trek Factory Racing DH) 2.29.01 [+9.81]

 

Silverline Tools announced as Official Tool Partner of Prudential RideLondon

Silverline Tools announced as Official Tool Partner of Prudential RideLondon

Silverline Tools, Europe’s fastest-growing tool brand, is now the Official Tool Partner of Prudential RideLondon.

The leading brand, with a reputation for great value and wide range of products, will be a welcome addition to the Prudential RideLondon sponsor family. While Silverline are long-term sponsors of downhill racing world championship team Trek Factory Racing and the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event in Fort William, it will be the tool brand’s first involvement in road cycling and a mass participation sports event.

Silverline Tools and Prudential RideLondon will work together to support all participants in the build up to, and during, the weekend event. This will include supporting:

• A new bicycle maintenance service at the Cycling Show (26-28 July)
• Mechanical support at each start zone in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and on-course hubs;
• New event signage across the 100 and 46 mile route to enable riders get help easily;
• Roaming support and bicycle collection vehicles; and
• Information and advice on how to prepare your bike and equipment for this challenge.

Hugh Brasher, Prudential RideLondon Event Director said:

“We are delighted to welcome such a recognised brand into the Prudential RideLondon family. As an event organiser, we are constantly striving to make the participant experience truly memorable. Part of this is providing our riders with useful and engaging information and support before, during and after the event. Silverline Tools has a history of providing people with the right tools for the job. Making their expertise and experience available will give our riders the best chance of finishing on the day with knowledge and skills to take away.”

Rob Henry, Silverline Brand Manager said:

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Prudential RideLondon. As a brand that likes to connect with a wide and diverse audience, we love getting involved with big events like this. For Silverline, the event is more than just about cycling; it’s about getting out there and doing it - doing it yourself! It’s a fantastic opportunity, attracting keen cycling enthusiasts and families alike, and all while raising money for good causes. Bike tools are only a small part of our range of over 5000 tools and we think the event will be a great platform for raising awareness of the Silverline brand. We’re looking forward to supporting all riders on their journey to the Finish Line on the Mall in July!”

About Prudential RideLondon

Prudential RideLondon is the world’s greatest festival of cycling with more than 100,000 riders expected to participate in different events for all ages and abilities over the weekend of 28-29 July 2018.

Prudential RideLondon features two UCI WorldTour events: the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic for men and the Prudential RideLondon Classique for women. These two races are the richest one day races on the pro cycling calendar. Find out more at www.prudentialriderondon.co.uk

Prudential RideLondon was developed by the Mayor of London, Transport for London and London & Partners in partnership with Surrey County Council and is sponsored by Prudential. The event is managed by the London & Surrey Cycling Partnership.

About Silverline Tools

Established in 1978, Silverline is a leading industry manufacturer and supplier of more than 5,000 hand and power tools across the UK and Europe. Offering great value, unbeatable guarantees and a massive range of award-winning products, Silverline Tools are ideal for the home, garden and workshop.  As official Tool Partner to Prudential RideLondon, the Silverline events team will be on hand at The Cycling Show and Green Park during the event. For more information about Silverline Tools visit www.silverlinetools.com

6 top tips for a winter-proof house

Craig's top tips for a winter-proof house!

1. Gas Safety 

It pays to be prepared and perhaps the most important thing to consider now is what happens when you turn your heating on after months of having the system switched off!

Gas safety is absolutely essential, so before you fire up the boiler, you really need to get it checked by a qualified and registered engineer. First, you need to make sure it will work when you need it – nobody wants to be replacing their boiler in the winter! Also you need to be checking for carbon monoxide release.

It's a good idea to fit a carbon monoxide detector and make sure it's working regularly. As well as this, if you haven't had your gas appliances and flues checked for a while, now's the time to do it.

Whilst checking your flues, you might want to look at any air vents or even your chimney (if you have one) to make sure nothing has grown over and is causing a blockage. Finally, when you fire up your boiler, make sure the gas flame turns blue. If it doesn't, shut the boiler down immediately and call an engineer. 

2. Radiator Maintenance 
Of course, your heating system's efficiency is not just about the boiler, so take time out to check all of your radiators. Do they leak? Do they have air in them and need bleeding? Follow our easy guide for bleeding radiators:

3. Flood Risk and Water Damage 

Another way of preparing your home for the winter is to minimise the risk of floods and water damage when the rain and snow arrive! Gutters and drains are always susceptible to blockage by leaves or other debris, and if you get a spell of heavy rain or snow for lengthy periods you could be in trouble. Our lock rods are great for cleaning your down pipes, gutters and even chimneys! One more thing, is your guttering strong enough to take the weight of potential snow sitting there for days? If you're unsure, you should look at replacing it! 

We have a range of winter essentials available to help with flooding and water damage including sand bags, water pumps, torches and various covers as well as much, much more! Check out our website and get tooled up for winter!

4. Roof 
Firstly, you need to make sure that all of the tiles are in place and that lead flashings around your chimney are in good condition. Make sure there are no gaps anywhere that could let in water or allow the wind to get underneath! On the subject of chimneys, it's always good practice to have it swept before you start up a fire since there can be debris, old birds' nests and all sorts of things causing an unsafe blockage. If you need a dry place to store your logs for your fire this winter, have you thought about building your own log store? We have a simple video showing you how:

Of course, you should always arrange for an experienced roofer to climb up and check your tiles - never think you'll just nip up there yourself! That said, you can nip into the loft and check the roof from inside. Assuming your loft is boarded and you have light in there, find a safe position away from the loft entrance, switch off the lights and check for daylight coming in. There will always be small amounts of light coming through, you are checking for major gaps! Whatever you do, be sure to switch the light back on before moving away from your secure position.

If you don't have your loft boarded already, now is the time to consider doing so. Insulation has been shown to make a big difference to the size of energy bills, with some households saving over £200 a year!

5. Lighting Efficiency 
Speaking of energy and bills, now the days are shorter you will be using your lights for much longer periods, it's a good time to go around and check your light bulbs! Do you still have the old-style energy-sapping bulbs? Fitting energy-saving bulbs can make a huge difference to your electricity bill, while also help you to play your part in saving the planet. 

6. Draughts
You may have welcomed a bit of a breeze coursing through your home in the warm summer months, but when the cold sets in you will want to get rid of any drafts that drift into your home through leaky door seals or windows. 

Most people have double-glazing but you'd be surprised where draughts can sneak in! No house is fully sealed and everywhere that there is a void in it's structure - including letterboxes,anywhere holes have been created for passing pipes or cables through, and even cat flaps - there is the potential for a draught. Even inner doors can be a problem, so even though it may seem a little old-fashioned, the humble and trusty draught excluder across the bottom of a door can make all the difference!