YAKIMA QUEENSLAND SUNSHINE SERIES DOWNHILL 2013

Round 1 of the 2013 Yakima Qld Sunshine Series Downhill was held on Sunday, 12 May 2013 at Toowoomba's Jubilee Park and Mackenzie Frenzy Downhill Track. Approximately 250 riders competed in all categories with Elite Male attracting in excess of 45 entrants. Unofficial practice was held on Saturday with self shuttling over the Toowoomba range and I took the opportunity of practising with fellow Elite rider Matt Dodd and junior rider, Remy Morton who elected to race up several categories in Elite Male!! Shuttle driver for Saturday was undertaken by Remy's father and genuine all round good guy, Jim Morton. We managed to get in 8-9 full runs which took the pressure off practice on Sunday and this was a good thing given the numbers entered for the race! Sunday arrived and I was in a pretty chilled mood and happy with the previous day's practice so I elected to do just 1 compulsory run before Qualifying/Seeding. I managed to qualify in 3rd place behind Chris Kovarik and Lindsay Klein. Race time came around and unfortunately; there were a number of delays on-track when Under 19 rider and fellow club member, Chris Dalziel crashed heavily in the rock garden knocking himself out. A further delay happened when Elite rider and good mate, Liam Paiaro (ForTheRiders) took a massive and serious crash off the Booter at the end of the rock garden which required him to be evacuated by helicopter to hospital. Racing finally got under way again and I could not wait to get down the hill. I put in a good run which resulted in me placing 3rd behind Lindsay and Chris K with only 1 second separating 1st from 3rd - good close racing with good mates! It was a great day of racing and good to be riding with fellow NSDynamic's riders Matt Dodd, Chris Kovarik, Remy Morton and Aaron Cairns. Liam suffered several fractured vertebrae (not spinal thankfully!) and a broken hand and is currently resting in hospital in Brisbane. Chris Dalziel suffered severe bruising but has been cleared of major injury and is now resting at home - heal up quickly boy's, we need you on track! Finally, a big shout out to my supporters - NSDynamics.com.au - Santa Cruz Bikes - Elka Suspension & CTN Imports - Chunked.com.au - Mavic Equipment, thanks for your continued and much appreciated support!! Next race is at Cedar Creek - bring it on!! Photo credits to Dan McCallum of Toowoomba - thanks Dan, great pic's!!