Oh yes, back again, late season this year,  down at Gawton on the Super-Tavi track,  aka the dirt 1.04 on Sunday 12th September 2010.

So the deal then,  Hardtail is not a proper race class here in the UK,  officially we dont exist, there is no BC/UCI Hardtail race class, therefore we are unlicensed , mostly unsponsored ,  unprofessional racers.  After feeling shut out we got into the 07 National champs at Rheola and it’s gone on from there.  No frills bikes,  some riders that are proper animals, maybe some beer and a chance to sort out an Unofficial ranking.  Maybe some prizes, maybe not, but a get together to rip down some hill, have a laugh and work out who is the biggest animal on a bike.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

As things stand the Hardtail class is run as, aged 14-100 male or female and a hardtail, thats it,  one big happy family nice and easy to manage,  there can only be one champ male or female.  I add to this event that anyone who races DH or 4X at World Cup level is NOT ELIGIBLE to take the title of Unofficial Champion,  you are most welcome to lay down a time and race, but will not be up for the title,  lets face it,  if your doing world cups you ain’t an unofficial type,  then again one of the animals might beat you anyway 🙂

As this year is also the dirt 1.04 then i will do an unofficial HT leader board, which will be for anyone,  maybe some beer for the fastest HT 1.04 time,  one for the worldcuppers there.  (i belive the world cup is over when this race is on, so we might see some proper professional types at a loose end) 

The rules of racing and equipment are those set by the host venue, they have final say in all matters, check there website for armour requirements, and make sure your bike is raceable and have bar end plugs in, the rules apply to everyone.  Me and Deakin cant race in the jackets as they have studs in,  rules is rules ( i might de-stud for this).

There will be practice on Saturday 11th,  racing and practice is PUSH UP.  Race day is £25 all booking and entry for the race is via www.woodlandriders.com the host venues main website.   And a day ticket for Saturday is £5 this can be booked and got from www.dartmoorcycles.co.uk anyone caught without a day pass on Saturday will be chucked off site,  all information and directions can be found on these 2 sites along with info on where to camp out.

I am only making this happen by hi-jacking,  myself and www.hardtailnation.co.uk have no official involvement or control over the track. we have no part in booking or other arrangements.   This race is Round 3 of the Gawton summer series.

Think that covers most of it,  as yet i have not been to or ridden the track,  i belive the track is rideable by anyone, and the big jumps have chicken runs,  maybe more for the experienced riders this year, but still ride-able.   I was talking last year about fort william,  didn’t think to many would be up for that, maybe save the world cup track for later… a few people tried to get me to use Gawton last year, but i felt woodland riders needed more time to settle in and they hadn’t raced it.  I was thinking of going to the midlands this year, but when Chaz got in touch and asked me,  well it would be rude to say no,  and it’s the first time someone has asked if we want to race,  for some strange reason some venues are scared of us and wont let us in.  Add to that the dirt connection and things get exciting (maybe they will come down and race or send Billy) with the ongoing 1.04 times being set by pros,  well we get to compare times against World cuppers…how close can we get…will we scare them,  i know some of you out there cant wait to have a go.

the current Champ, the man mountain that is the Deakinator,  aka Ben Deakin.

Andy Payne on the left in 3rd place riding a Curtis.  Deakin was on a Ex Atherton 4x commencal race bike and on the right is Ben Baker in 2nd place, he was on a Spank puff, this was also Bens first race since getting the all clear from a broken neck and he can be found at World Cups riding for Astrix and Axo.

Special mention goes to Clair Lloyd, the first female racer we have had in the unofficial champs,  as i make things up as we go there is a Queen Bee prize for fastest girl (not worldcuppers)  Clair had a good go at the track, the shiny dmr trailstar got cartwheeled a few times but she just got back on and got going again, no fuss no drama…. unlike some of the blokes, apart from the ones that went to hospital that is.

So there you go,  find a hardtail, come race, ditch the susser never know you might enjoy it.  I am now going to go on the scrounge and try to rustle up some prizes,  top 3 will get a trophy to keep and the Champions jacket might change hands for a year or will Deakin keep hold of it.  Wait and See.