Extreme Winter Downhill Series – Glencoe, Nov 12/13th 2011
words and photographs – Fiona Davidson
If you thought downhill racing was over for the year, then think again. This weekend saw the first round of the new Extreme Winter Downhill Series, originally scheduled for Ae Forest but relocated to Glencoe at the last minute. EKHint Events, the organisers behind the race have spent many years providing on-hill medic facilities for biking events and have decided to get even more involved and run a series designed to develop downhill racing at a grassroots level. There are 3 more events currently scheduled, but organisers are planning to run 1 event per month running through to 2013, with locations evenly spread between Scotland, England and Wales. The races offer cash prizes and also the chance to gain some skills and BDS points over winter (the races are regional B level with plans for the odd regional C thrown in as well).
So how did racing at Glencoe in mid-November stack up? Surprisingly well actually. I have to admit, it was pretty chilly sitting on the chair this afternoon and the top section of the track did get a bit greasy once the clouds moved in and the moisture settled. But it was a pretty decent weekend overall with sunshine and blue skies on Saturday for practice. Don’t let the photographs put you off – they are only from today (Sunday) and Saturday was definitely the better day! Given the bad luck frequently encountered by people trying to schedule races for Glencoe and Fort William, you’d have to say this weekend was a success.
Race (and spectator) numbers were fairly low – 100 riders were originally registered for Ae Forest, but sadly it seemed that a fair few weren’t able to make the trip up further north. 24 riders competed today spread over 6 age categories (no girls riding sad to say). The youngest competitor was 13 years old, taking part in his first ever downhill! Race format was the usual best of 2 timed runs. Due to low competitor numbers only top 3 the senior men got a shot on the podium (all of whom looked a bit surprised and very chuffed). Results were: 1st place Oliver Carter (2:49.404), 2nd Jamie Scott (2:58.129) and 3rd Michael Simmonds (3:03.911). Fastest rider on the day was Mitchell Skene, riding in the junior category, who bettered his 9th place junior finish at the SDA in October, coming in on 2:47.581. Nice to see too, that his £60 prize money came straight out the back pocket of the organisers.
All in all, it was a really good day out on the hill. Gary Wallace, one of the two guys running the series, told me that the point of the races was not to make money, but simply to have fun and give people more opportunities to race. It’s a pretty simple philosophy, and judging by the atmosphere today, and the genuine smiles on everyone’s face at the end of it, it seems like it’s a pretty good one.
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