2014 YAKIMA SUNSHINE SERIES - DOWNHILL ROUND 3

Round 3 of the 2014 Yakima Sunshine Series - Downhill moved to a new venue at Boomerang Farm, Mudgeeraba (Gold Coast) last weekend. The track is new and whilst it did not really suit big travel bikes it was a fun track to ride. Hats off to new Club, ORA for accepting the challenge to Host the event when Gold Coast MTB Club could not continue with it as originally planned. The event was held on Sunday/Monday of the Queens Birthday long weekend and limited practice was available to get lines dialled or more accurately, to understand the track itself! I managed to get enough runs in on Sunday to be prepared for racing on Monday and whilst I knew it would be difficult to post a winning time on the V10, I decided to run clip pedals to give myself every chance! Racing on Monday got underway with Seeding in the late morning and I managed to seed in 5th place but with a lot of mid travel bikes competing I knew my chances of holding that in finals would be hard. Race time came around and I just gave it everything I had and ended up in 7th place with a time slower than my Seeding run which was disappointing because I felt my race run was the better of both? Just goes to prove that you cannot be a 'fair weather' racer and must accept all track conditions presented on the day including track style and weather!! Once again, a big shout out to my Supporters who keep me and the Santa Cruz V10 running to compete in these events including Power Racing, NS Dynamics, Santa Cruz Bikes, ForTheRiders, KWT-Maxxis, Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles (BMS), Mavic and Paul Dymalla (Wheels and general all-round mechanicals)!!

2014 YAKIMA SUNSHINE SERIES DOWNHILL - ROUND 2 - TOOWOOMBA

The Yakima Sunshine Series moved to Toowoomba's famed Frenzy track on 24/25 May for Round 2 Downhill. Most people were holding their breath to see if the rain would come as has happened so many times in past years however; it failed to eventuate and great weather was experienced over the weekend. Practice on Saturday was really good and I managed to get in at least 7-8 good runs and sorted my lines in preparation for the next days racing. Sunday arrived with fantastic weather conditions which promised to set up some close racing in an Elite Male field featuring the majority of Queenslands top riders. Shuttles were a bit slower on Sunday but I still managed to get in two practice runs before heading up for Qualifying (ended up being Seeding). I hit the start line and let the Santa Cruz v10 Carbon roll at close to top speed and enjoyed a good run down Frenzy to pick up No. 1 spot for the race later in the day. Race time came and as the top qualifier, I was last over the start line. My race run was a blur but I remember coming through the Rock Garden faster than ever before which was a bit scary!! I held my nerve and kept the v10 at full pace to come over the finish line and claim 1st place which was my Maiden (and very satisfying) win in Elite category by just over 0.05 seconds from Lindsay Klein with Max Warshawsky in 3rd. Once again, I would like to thank my Supporters, Power Racing, NSDynamics, Santa Cruz Bikes, ForTheRiders, Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles (BMS), KWT Maxxis and Paul Dymalla who builds the wheels I wreck!! Photo credits to Matt Rex Photography.

2014 QUEENSLAND SUNSHINE SERIES DOWNHILL ROUND 1 - CEDAR CREEK

The 2014 Queensland Sunshine Series Downhill kicked off last weekend with Round 1 at Cedar Creek in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. With the threat of rain hanging over our heads all week, Saturday arrived with a mostly sunny day although there were some small showers during the day but this just made the track better with moisture causing the normally loose and dusty dirt to tack up nicely.

Practice on Saturday went smoothly and I got in at least 8-10 full runs thanks to my Supporter, Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles (BMS - Mick Dopson) who moved me and the Santa Cruz v10 to the start line in comfort and without any drama's! I decided to call it mid afternoon because the v10 was dialled and along with me was performing really good.

Sunday and race day arrived with a couple of early morning showers but nothing to cause concern. I managed a couple of practice runs before heading up for Qualifying late morning. I had a clean run in Qualifying but kept a bit in reserve and managed to cross the line and qualify in 3rd place. By race time later in the afternoon, the weather had cooled and was ideal for racing. I had another great run down a steep, loose and technical track to take over the Hot Seat for a short while before the last rider, Chris Kovarik came down the hill and knocked my off by 2 seconds but hey, I managed to get onto the Podium in 2nd place which is a great start to the Series.

A shout out to my Supporters for keeping me and the v10 running smoothly - Power Racing, NS Dynamics.com.au, Santa Cruz Bikes, ForTheRiders, Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles - BMS, KWT-Maxxis, Mavic Equipment and Chunked.com.au - thanks again for your continuing support!