North West MTB DH Series Rd 3 at Farmer Johns 24th June 2012 by Richard Acott
The race was a one day practise/race format and it would be final of series with a full entry list. I had won one round and lost one round to Will Swinden so the final race would be real head to head. Having checked weather forecast there was a mix of morning rain and afternoon sun and for a change it work out that way.
Once arrived I signed in and checked out track - top half was open and would be rolling quick on hardpack surface, there were berms and a couple of short north shore style sections. This was in contrast to bottom section which entered woods and dropped steeply into sharp corner. The lower sections was quite technical with roots, mud, drops, ruts and short corners.
I set bike up by adjusting tyre pressures and adjusted fork settings but opted to keep Kenda Nevegal tyre. Some people opted for mud tyres but I figured I could make time on top section and bottom was so bad mud tyres would make little difference. Other riders thought differently and there was a real mix out on track.
Practise and Race Run - practise went slowly due to constant stop starts due to red flags (stop riding) because of crashes and I was frustrated at lack of full practise runs. After short break for drink it was time for first race run and hardtails were first off start.
My first race run would be mid table start and I overtook two riders which cost a little time but still managed a good time of 1min49 secs. After a while I realised I was leading by eight seconds.
Second race run went really well although I had a small off on bottom section when tyre got caught in rut (video clip). I checked with timing officials and I had posted 0.58 seconds so queried it amazing feat but was told all equipment was good and showed green which meant they had recorded correctly. Sometime later I received notice that commissaires had issued a number of ’did not finish (dnf) or did not start(dns)’ notices and one was mine. Some riders were offered reruns because of timing issues. Fortunately my first run time had given a great race winning result and Podium 1st.
Well done to all riders, organisers and marshalls for a good friendly race series. Special mention also for Aaron Chorlton, overall series third place category rider who took a bad fall and broke his wrist - get well soon.
THANKS to great sponsors DMR Bikes/Kenda Tyres/YBN Chains/X Fusion/Tektro Brakes/Battery Energy Drinks/kik
North West Downhill Championships - CRASHES on Pinkbike
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