2011 Fontana Winter Series Round #4

Cold weather and rain led up this weekend's latest round of the Southridge Winter Series. Riders didn't let the bleak weather conditions put their spirits down. With this round being worth double points to the overall, riders were focused on placing well to step above their competitors.Having excellent dirt conditions from the rain and the excitement to place well, riders and spectators had a great weekend of gravity racing!

After a few dry rounds it was nice to see the return of the rain to transform the dirt from bone dry to fast, gripping, moist dirt. Puddles were scattered throughout the pits reminding riders and spectators alike that the dirt will be a challenge to predict with the threatening oncoming rains during the weekend.


Saturday 4X Finals

Practice was haunted by the teasing intervals of rain and sun. Riders hardly came out to practice until the sun conveniently peaked out for the finals. Warming temperatures paralleled the heating competition that was about to ensue. The gates dropped and the racing was underway on the fast and rocky 4X course.


The usual filled up the Pro class for 4X. Eric Carter, Blake Carney, and Jake Kinney are always threats to the top spot on the podium. In the finals Eric Carter got the early snap and lead the field from top to bottom. Brian Schmith, Blake Carney, and Jake Kinney were nipping at his heels the whole way down, but were not able to get the better edge on him.





Sunday Downhill Finals

Fresh and moist dirt greeted riders Sunday morning for downhill practice. Riders were having a great time with the fast and swooping course. Quick left right switchbacks and long speed chutes made for an exciting Pro finals. The weather reports were suggesting for no rain and those reports held true. That was a relief to us photographers sitting on the hill all day with our gear. As the day progressed, the sun peaked out and made for a usual sunny day at Fontana.


Riders were stoked with the course for this weekend. They enjoyed the sweeping corners leading into the fast sections. After dropping out of the gate racers were put into a quick switchback section that challenged riders with quick flat and bermed corners. They were led into a very fast and rocky chute that questioned rider's bravery to stay off the brakes. Down a crevice and back up riders were treated with a rock drop and a very quick chicane section with steep berms. Down and up again riders were asked to navigate off a rock face and then face the last rock section then onto the infamous "Wall."


JD Swanguen was riding on an Intense 951 with 29 inch wheels for this weekend's downhill. He stated that he loved how well the bike handles over the rough terrain and was very suited for this weekend's fast sections. Joe Lawwill surprised many because he was running a smaller bike the whole weekend. He opted to run a smaller bike to become more efficient on the pedaling sections. These bike selections were good choices for both JD and Lawwill, placing 5th, and 4th respectively. Logan Binggeli, Waylon Smith, and Eric Carter were looking fast throughout practice and were safe bets for the podium. They were holding their lines well and keeping the speed up while linking every section. Binggeli was looking for a three-peat, but was unable to make it happen. Waylon kept his overall championship hopes alive by placing consistent once again. Eric Carter won the 4X the day before and now won the DH. Carter came out on top and was the weekend's winner!




For more results check on Southridge USA

Thanks for all that came out! See you guys at the finals on March 5-6

-Tony "Double T" Tarumoto

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Bonus feature - Riding SUPER D with Joe Lawwill: