A race report from Lincolnshire of all places!

Iain “Ace” Woodley aka Mr Hardtail tells us what went on.

Blogtastic right now in-it,  nothing for ages (world cup coverage) then 3 at once… that’s wrong there is still “satan’s trampoline” to pop up,  maybe it’s been lost in the server !  so 3 and 1 missing.

Ok i spent Saturday sorting out part 2 of the DH Enduro blog,  after a chat with Thackers we have changed some settings,  and i took some time working out what does what.  So blog sorted, email sent,  lets have a look on facebook.  A message pops up “you racing”… racing what where when ?  i know nothing.. it’s 10.30pm and in the morning is a Downhill Race in Lincolnshire.

Those of you out there in the world will not know that Lincs is famous for being flat,  the highest gain near me is 30meters above sea level.  Its flat and full of airfields.

I get the location and say i will pop down for a look,   it’s a mates race format and the fight for the title King Of The Hill.

The prize, the steel tommy helmet with crank arm wings, golden goggles, and other junk welded on,  the Kings Crown.  And some handy prizes from

I didn’t think DH happened in this part of the country,  they don’t have a big hill,  they don’t have lots of venues.  They have however made the most of what they have.  I have just come back from Fort William,  on a really good day/run i might do a low 8 minute run, i am used to 1-4 minute tracks,   this run was being covered in 34.6seconds,  it had some sweet jumps, some air time,  some really tight turns,  roots and stumps,  and rocks  all the ingredients for a DH run,  just lacking some height and length.  My word have they done a good job with what they have.  You can whinge about having nothing or you can make the most of what you have and get some riding in.

Ok being a new face i found out who was in charge,  had a chat,  here’s the race format for K.O.T.H.  simple 2 timed runs,  then the top 3 from each class do a knock out head to head,  fastest run from that is King.

Fish the man that can,  along with Rick and Ben they are the driving force behind this and run the club trailblazerz,  when not riding local they arrange private uplift days for members at other places over in Wales,  dirty weekenders away,  some do race but travel from Lincs is an issue,  it’s a long way to anywhere.

Adam Carr with the No 1 plate, he was to loose the title this year in the final shootout round,  but still bagged the fastest overall time of the day.

No idea who ?  no online list to look at and i don’t know anyone.   But Jonesy’s favourite bike an Orange 5 getting some air,  from what i saw this fella got the most and is in the final shootout in this photo,  and i did notice the only one with semi slick rear tyre for more speed.

When i do blogs it’s mostly from the view point of being “in” the event,  not as a watcher.  The track was dry and dusty, some of the turns were starting to blow out,  it was hard-pack and fast,  you could do it chain-less but so short you need to spin to win,  an easy push up…i could have raced !  but just about recovered from the kicking i got in Scotland so was happy to watch riders having fun, i have no idea who is a contender and who isn’t,  they all know the score.

Now i have met some faces,  and if they will have me,  i think i am going to sign up for membership,  somewhere to play and not a few hours drive away,  priceless.  When i am down south i have my pick of 2 local uplifts,  4 more within 2 hours drive,  lots of DH track choice a ride away from home,  lucky location being between Exmoor and the Quantocks,   this will get me out more on the bike which can only be a good thing.

Yeah…random dirt t-shirt photo time,  this is Mick.  His mate knew what was coming when i walked toward them.  Billy any chance of some give away stuff for random dirt t-shirt blokes (or girls).  You loves this cheesy stuff 🙂  i will be looking for dirt wearers and try and slot you in a blog,  but i dont have stickers (yet).

Adam keeping things low in the final shootout.

Demos can fly as well.  Maybe a jump off contest for the nutters in the future,  they really liked getting some air time.

With only 55 racers and a well drilled timing system (field telephone) the 1st run went,  then a burger break, then run 2 then the final shootout,  by 3pm the awards are being done along with the raffle.  A nice day out in the sun,  really really laid back atmos,  and i never expected to see a Yeti 303 or carbon V-10 in Lincs racing DH,  and to top all that a Spitfire was hot-dogging in the skies above.

All hail the king !  Scotty takes the title for the year from Adam,  some top class short track racing indeed.  The thing with short tracks is you can not make a mistake,  not even a small one,  somewhere like Rheola you can claw back lost time from getting things wrong,  in short track it’s perfection that wins.  This was how i started with the Cheddar & Churchill push up series,  being several seconds behind would be like being a minute behind at Rheola,  gotta love the short tracks,  keep you sharp and on it !

Glad i drove down for a look,  nice track and nice people…wheres the membership form..

Ace.