661 Mini Downhill - Forest of Dean - England.

Winter racing is a tough old affair I'm sure anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. The U.K.'s been battered by sub zero temperatures and snow nationwide.

Luckily the Forest of Dean (FOD)only had a light coating and all we were waiting for was the green light...

Sunday December 5th 2010
Words Si Paton
Pics Ian Cross Pics4all.co.uk


The wonders of the Tinternet, Twitter and Facecrap meant the rumors were squashed and we had the signal that we were racing. We headed down the M5 and M50 to J3 and then went cross country with caution down the country lanes. You see the LWB Sprinter handles like Bambi on ice, quite literally.

Greeted trackside by a misty fog that never really lifted all day, it was a cold affair. Around 70 riders braved the conditions and bad light to get the track dialed until registration opened at 15:30. Meaning avoid the queues of Sunday morning's registration.

Sunday was a crisper day, even after the freezing fog that we had to cut through on the motorways. Clear blue skies, damn it was cold. I swear I saw a brass monkey grabbing his bits whilst spectating trackside. 300 riders, all keen, soon started descending to get a handful of runs in. The great thing about "Mini DH" racing is the wide variety of riders and rigs. Everything from hardtails, to the latest super ride were all on track along with riders from ten years of age in the new "Rippers" category to almost fifty.
That does create a few issues with the faster riders getting held up, compounded by a short sub 1:30mins track meant a few traffic jams and slight congestion.


The track itself ran well all day with the only non thawed sections being by the last berms. The straight line up to this was on and had been tried and tested at the previous races. This time it proved costly for Trask who went down hard with a suspected broken wrist. A few more tumbled and word quickly spread to stay in the berms. Chris and his team had sprayed the roots with fluro spray so you could see them in the dark wooded sections. Yellow light enhancing lenses were the order of the day especially come the second runs for the later categories. Several of the Pro-Am riders were seen chewing carrots on the way up for their final descent, as you can see by the pics it really was that dark.

Two runs, with the fastest time counting. Only those that messed up run one really went faster come run two, especially for the later runners. Next round is on the Cork Screw I believe. Would be good to see some digging going on to make some new berms, jumps and drops so get off those keyboards and pick up a shovel and volunteer guys.


If you're lazy or over 30 years of age then take advantage of the uplift service on offer. £23 at weekends or £20.50 midweek guarantees you 15 runs on the hill. Picks you up directly opposite the cafe and they even put your bike on the secure trailer as well as take it off again. That means no more muddy or wet gloves, winner. I took advantage of this on Saturday and also on Sunday as did Jess Stone, meaning fresh legs for the race! These are the boys to speak to FlyUp Downhill. Telephone: 01453 873533 for further information and booking details. Email: info@flyupdownhill.co.uk.


Results:

Pro Am

Soffe Will Riding High UK 1:10.28
Deakin Ben “Muc-Off, Royal Marines 1:11.25
Davies Emyr 1:11.55

Women

Stone Jess Worcester University Cycling 1:16.17
Maxfield Ellie Wideopen Magazine 1:22.51
Bartleman Lianne 1:25.15

Vets

Paton Si Descent-Gear.com / Pinkbike.com 1:15.65
Ingram Niall Redmist Racing 1:16.46
Webb Tim Redmist Racing 1:17.34

Masters

Haines Dan Redmist Racing 1:13.49
Gilbert Richard 1:16.64
Davie Nick POLARIS 1:16.77

Seniors

Hancock Jake No Bull 1:12.28
Dorrington Ricky BAD ASS BIKES 1:13.05
Powis Tom 1:13.43

Juniors

Biggs Jamie 1:11.52
Williamson Jay Certini Bicycle.co 1:11.98
Copp Sam 1:12.46

Youth

Nott Ben 1:12.80
Obrien Michael HBrook racing k9 1:13.00
Owens Thomas Lodge Cycles/C.T.S 1:13.21

Juvenile

Walton Archie RBR 1:13.80
Vernon Taylor Bike It Cycles – Bridgend 1:15.83
Battin Charlie Bad Ass Bikes / Hammoon Cycles 1:16.89

Rippers

Barrett Seth 1:34.17 1:33.44 1:33.44
Edwards Kade 1:34.71 1:34.55 1:34.55 1.11 Now who remembers Tom Edwards from back in the 90's racing DH?
Mackay Ewan Glentress Riders 1:37.36

Everyone received a nice trophy and prizes courtesy of 661, Sunline and Maxxis thanks to their UK distributor One Industries Europe.
Even big Tom was there showing off the new 2011 range of products from the above in between scoffing double cheese burgers..


Stay Unclipped!
Si Paton..
Descent-Gear.com
Kurt Kinetic Turbo Trainers Instock

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