It s that time of the year again. After a brief break in race events the KMC Winter Series kicks off in Fontana California. Southridge Racing has been host to the Downhill series for over 26 years and has been the training ground for many of today s fastest racers. From seasoned professionals to weekend racers the series has a class for every level of rider and the split track caters to making this a fun event no matter your skill level. The recent rains in California made for great dirt conditions and racers and fans were treated to warm weather for the kickoff event.





KMC WINTER SERIES, FONTANA

Round One

Words and Photos // Dan Severson




It's that time of the year again. After a brief break in race events, the KMC Winter Series kicks off in Fontana, California. Southridge Racing has been host to the Downhill series for over 26 years and has been the training ground for many of today's fastest racers. From seasoned professionals to weekend racers, the series has a class for every level of rider, and the split track caters to making this a fun event no matter your skill level. The recent rains in California made for great dirt conditions with racers and fans treated to warm weather for the kickoff event.



Don t feel like bunking up in a hotel No problem. The parking lot and pit area is the perfect spot to camp out with friends and family. Rise and shine
  Don't feel like bunking up in a hotel? No problem. The parking lot and pit area is the perfect spot to camp out with friends and family. Rise and shine!

Racers were frothing to get up on the hill and get in some runs. The shuttle to the top is around fifteen minutes from the parking area.
Racers were frothing to get up on the hill and get in some runs. The shuttle to the top is around fifteen minutes from the parking area.

When the bus arrives at the end of the paved road it s only a short hike-a-bike and your e ready to roll down the track. Don t forget to take in the views while your e at the top.
When the bus arrives at the end of the paved road, it's only a short hike-a-bike and you're ready to roll down the track. Don't forget to take in the views while you're at the top.

With storm clouds on their way out it was looking like the weather forecast would be better than expected.
With storm clouds on their way out, it was looking like the weather forecast would be better than expected.

The next generation of racers is coming in hot. The groms of today are looking extremely confident and skilled for their age and it s going to be scary to see how fast they become as they get older.
The next generation of racers is coming in hot. The groms of today are looking extremely confident and skilled for their age, and it's going to be scary to see how fast they become as they get older.

Intense Factory Racing s Nik Nestoroff was out for a few laps during practice on his same bike but with new gear. Could this be a sponsor shuffle for the team I guess we ll just have to wait and see.
Intense Factory Racing's, Nik Nestoroff was out for a few laps during practice on his old frame, but with new gear. Could this be a sponsor shuffle for the team? I guess, we'll just have to wait and see.

Anneke Beerton decided to use the weekend as training workout. After competing in Saturday s XC event she made her way over to the downhill track for a few laps.
Anneke Beerton decided to use the weekend as a training workout. After competing in Saturday's XC event, she made her way over to the downhill track for a few laps.

FMX legend Mike Metzger was hanging with his best friend and came out to cheer on his son. He also raced in the Vet Pro class and threw down a 4th place finish.
FMX legend, Mike Metzger, was hanging with his best friend and came out to cheer on his son. He also raced in the Vet Pro class and threw down a 4th place finish.

The Youth is on the move. Ryan McGarrity charged down the steep rock section with ease.
The youth is on the move. Ryan McGarrity charged down the steep rock section with ease.

Bruce Klein keeps the stoke alive and celebrates his new team with an air guitar solo.
Bruce Klein keeps the stoke alive and celebrates his new team with an air guitar solo.

And once out on the track Bruce proves his worth with a 1st place run in Pro Men. Look for plenty more good things from him in 2017.
And, once out on the track, Bruce proves his worth with a 1st place run in Pro Men. Look for plenty more good things from him in 2017.

Cody Johnson was looking extremely fast in practice and during his 2nd place run. Although technically a downhill track Cody chose to ride the lighter and more nimble Intense Tracer. Anyone who has raced at Fontana is familiar with the flat sections of the track in which having a lighter trail bike pays off.
Cody Johnson was looking extremely fast in practice and during his 2nd place run. Although technically a downhill track, Cody chose to ride the lighter and more nimble Intense Tracer. Anyone who has raced at Fontana is familiar with the flat sections of the track in which having a lighter trail bike pays off.

Another rider who opted to ride his trail bike setup was Barry Nobles. Barry s bike handling skills easily compensated for the lack of super-cush suspension and landed him third spot on the box.
Another rider who opted to ride his trail bike setup was Barry Nobles. Barry's bike handling skills easily compensated for the lack of super-cush suspension and landed him third spot on the box.

NS Bikes rider Michal Kollbek floats over a rock section.
NS Bikes rider, Michal Kollbek floats over a rock section.

The technical downhill rock section was definitely keeping riders on their toes as demonstrated here.
The technical downhill rock section was definitely keeping riders on their toes; as demonstrated here.

Nothing like the adrenaline and cheers from the crowd on race day to help riders get back up after a crash. Marlon Hilbert shows his determination.
Nothing like the adrenaline and cheers from the crowd on race day to help riders get back up after a crash. Marlon Hilbert shows his determination.

Junior Expert rider Steven Walton has moved on from Intense s Palmer project and now racing under the Commencal USA banner. The team is off to a good start with his first place finish.
Junior Expert rider, Steven Walton has moved on from Intense's Palmer project and now racing under the Commencal USA banner. The team is off to a good start with his first place finish.

Looks like the win for Pro women s rider CJ Selig was meant 2B.
Looks like the win for Pro women's rider, CJ Selig was meant 2B.

Even though Dylan Gay s helmet is around 3 years old we ll let it slide considering he took the win in Expert Men 19-29.
Even though Dylan Gay's helmet is around 3 years old, we'll let it slide considering he took the win in Expert Men 19-29.

Don t ever underestimate the old guys. Vet Pro racer Troydon Murison still has plenty of gas in the tank and used it for the fastest run in his class.
Don't ever underestimate the old guys. Vet Pro racer, Troydon Murison still has plenty of gas in the tank and used it for the fastest run in his class.

And nipping at Troy s heels was Intense Bomber Orven Zaragoza.
And nipping at Troy's heels was Intense Bomber, Orven Zaragoza.

Eric Carter made a name for himself racing BMX and Dual slalom back in the day and now passes off his knowledge and love of all things bike to his sons. That definitely deserves a double shaka.
Eric Carter made a name for himself racing BMX and Dual slalom back in the day, and now passes off his knowledge and love of all things bike, to his sons. That definitely deserves a double shaka.

Expert bike fabricator Brent Foes showing off his latest Mixer model and was there to support his team.
Expert bike fabricator, Brent Foes showing off his latest, "Mixer" model, and was there to support his team.

You know you married the right woman when she gives you a bike like this for your birthday. Orven Zaragoza even put his own personal touch on it with the pixel graphic scheme.
You know you married the right woman when she gives you a bike like this for your birthday. Orven Zaragoza even put his own personal touch on it with the pixel graphic scheme.

There coming wether you like it or not...
They're coming, wether you like it or not...

No Fontana weekend would be complete without a jump session on the flow track. Here Kaden Pankow celebrates his win in the Open Jr. 14 amp under category with a stylish whip.
No Fontana weekend would be complete without a jump session on the flow track. Here, Kaden Pankow celebrates his win in the Open Jr. 14 & under category with a stylish whip.

The downhill race was fun and all but the real action took place in the parking lot on the mini bike rut track. It was nothing but high stakes and top of the line equipment. Here Cody Johnson is hot on the heels of Kyle Doyle. Until next time Fontucky - we out
The downhill race was fun and all, but the real action took place in the parking lot on the mini bike rut track. It was nothing but high stakes and top of the line equipment. Here, Cody Johnson is hot on the heels of Kyle Doyle. Until next time, Fontucky - we out!

MENTIONS: @danyul


Author Info:
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Member since Nov 30, 2010
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48 Comments
  • 43 2
 That ebike, so much wrong
  • 31 1
 we need more photos/videos/highlights of that mini rut track
  • 3 0
 It was so cool, I drove by it at the end of the race.
  • 3 0
 instagram.com/p/BPB3FOsBeJc
  • 2 0
 @orven: Looks like some serious fun, thnks for posting it.
  • 3 0
 @ledude: sure thing. Very cool vibe throughout the entire weekend. We're hoping for much larger turnout by Round 2.

Thanks for the love and coverage PB and @danyul. BTW, that Minecraft Intense Spider275c is my wife's birthday bike but hell, I'd take a run down on it in round 2. Cheers!
  • 13 1
 Sure glad you let the " 3 year old helmet" slide.......
  • 17 1
 Seriously, PB should be giving props to racers that don't need the newest gear to win dh races
  • 3 1
 Glass to see this comment.. It means I don't have to write one about it!
  • 7 0
 Thanks for the pun, Dan, what a fun race! People love to shit on the wall but Southridge puts on a solid event I love participating in!

Smile
  • 1 0
 @CJSelig What, no tassles?
  • 1 0
 @henkster: The company that made them went under, so I think they're officially retired.
  • 9 1
 Results? This was a race right?
  • 8 0
 I can't clearly recall but I believe Doyle held off Cody for the win
  • 3 2
 @dougkorody: Figured for a race that has a pinkbike article report, there'd be a results list.
  • 3 0
 @theedon: southridgeusa.com/dh-results-1-08-17
  • 5 4
 Doesn't Gwin usually show up for this one?
  • 2 2
 @hamncheez: usually the last one only
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: He seems to show up to help the kiddies sometimes too but not race which is super cool.
  • 3 0
 @Dustfarter: I dunno if it was just an instagram story or what but he had knee surgury
  • 8 0
 E bikes are lame...just felt like I needed to share that with you all.
  • 11 3
 Slash e-bike tires
  • 6 0
 Why bring a ebike to a dh race?
  • 1 1
 Not really worth losing my gun rights over..actually i need em to protect my property from knife wielding thugs. Let em ride where its legal.
  • 1 0
 @squidthefog: the wall!
  • 4 0
 Let's get a group together on a weekend to ride Southridge. Bring bikes, brew and some food. How's 1 week of March sound? Anyone down?
  • 1 0
 I'm done fam
  • 1 0
 Down not done lol
  • 5 1
 Sick...laguna has some serious groms coming and theyre getting fitter and faster than ever thanks to nica and local clubs like laguna canyon riders.
  • 4 3
 Oh hell yes ! , but Thanks to local clubs. NICA does nothing for gravity. They only do XC.
  • 4 5
 @GregGTrucker: so dont ya think that these kids doin nica and all the weekly practices will equate to better results at dh/enduro events? Fitness + race experience + practice....
  • 4 3
 @jrocksdh: Not really. Any riding is good for fitness and fitness crosses over. Don't need NICA to ride some XC. I'd rather see NICA have some slalom or DH racing. These Groms who are doing well are starting younger than the NICA age. And when they get older they are excluded. Why give props when it's not deserved. NICA does absolutely nothing for DH.
  • 4 2
 @GregGTrucker: nica starts at Jr high. Have u been to a race?
Of course it would be sick to have a school backed national dh race series.
Id be quite surprised if thered be enough riders in said categories. Not to mention most of the xc races are on properties without dh courses. Many will get scholarships and compete at college level..pretty sick
  • 5 0
 @jrocksdh: These Groms are younger than JR high. I agree that it is awesome, but only for the XC kids. Our company sponsors a few of the high school teams, but we don't go to any events. The NICA SOCal league wants thousands of dollars to set up at an event. We want to support the kids not the bank accounts of the Leage organizers. I actually raced college on scholarship. Which was totally cool. But yet again, NICA won't let colleges recruit at their races or share scholarship info with the kids without first paying them thousands of dollars. Many will get scholarships, I will credit the college coaches for making that happen. NO DH racer will be getting a scholarship through NICA competition. They will get that from actually racing DH. There are a lot of people to thank for the success of these kids, Mostly their parents, local shops, Chainline Bikes, TLD, Intense palmer project, Incycle, Commencal etc. Not NICA though, NICA does absolutely nothing for DH.
  • 1 0
 @GregGTrucker: NICA actually does a lot for every discipline of mountain biking. I raced all through high school and have now come back to coach my team. Racing the NICA races forced me to attain a higher level of fitness then I would have ever done had I not raced XC. Many of the kids I now coach want to race DH, Enduro, and slalom but also see the benefit in competing in NICA and gaining better fitness and overall riding ability. So yes, I agree, they may not directly benefit DH, but saying they do not do anything is not true. They are getting more kids on bikes at a younger age and it turns out many of these kids have a lot of interest in other disciplines of mountain biking and may transfer over at some point.
  • 2 0
 That a new Maxxis prototype rear in the two Bruce Klein pics? I see the orange hot patch in the air guitar pic and don't recognize the tread in the next pic.
  • 1 0
 Would be interesting to get a comment from Cole Picchiottino regarding NICA and SoCal high school racing. He was a stud in that scene. And so he is now in National-level gravity racing.
  • 4 0
 Yeah TLD GROMS!
  • 8 8
 I feel like cody johnson has been around forever....does the dude race anything other than fontucky?

I remember seeing him there 5-6yrs ago
  • 5 0
 www.rootsandrain.com/rider10920/cody-johnson-pro/results
Much more than just fontana
  • 6 0
 @thook: dayum sick, good on him

lol downvotes...the cancer is real
  • 3 1
 That's Anneke Beerten not Beerton
  • 3 1
 And they're not there! Tons of typos in this one.
  • 1 0
 Yay Anneke!
  • 1 2
 They did a great job of hiding the fact that it is in the suburbs. I will make it back there someday.





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