Hope Cross Country Race Series This Weekend

News from our local race organisers, the Brownbacks:

Race 5 is here! The last race of 2010 is on the Sunday 26th September in Lee Quarry, Rossendale, and will see more changes as we push the course design to create the best course possible for the 2010 racing finale. The recent rain will not trouble the all-weather course and the forecast for the weekend is for good racing weather yet again. The series competitions with the great prizes from Hope are wide open. Remember the best 4 results out of five count and if you are injured you can get average points by booking a marshalling slot at our last race. The prize sponsorship means we have one of the best prize lists around (thanks sponsors) with plenty of “spot” prizes for those who “entertain” the team.

The final course sees “puncture alley” taking a rest and some old favourites returning. Forthcoming attractions include “the ginnel”, “Mad Ab”, “caltrops” and “Bury Bob”.

In the trade competition it’s the “war of the roses” Pickering’s Big Bear Bikes are using sheer weight of numbers to win with Lancashire’s Leisure Lakes having a smaller but high quality entry pushing them hard to win the Hope sponsored trophy. It’s winner takes all in this “just for fun” competition for bike shops/ trade and is lining up for a tight conclusion.

The racing is not just for the fit and the able our Astounding Adventures “Have-a-Go” categories are aimed at people who just want to have-a-go. The course has a lot less hills and does not involve any of the big bermy sections. With great prizes including a training course courtesy of the sponsor this is a great way to get into racing. The race is shorter with the later start and it is open for all. We also have a race on the same course for those with their 15th or 16th birthdays this year with great prizes from Polaris Apparel in our Lads and Lasses category.

Entry on the day is available, registration opens at 08:30 and the racing starts at 10:00. It’s all over by 13:00 including the prize giving.

The rules! Remember there is no outside assistance allowed, this includes passing your mate bottles/ gels/ food. We have a simple philosophy of self sufficiency and “you start with it you finish with it” so no littering either please.

BC points: There are licence points for our Racers and Racing Diva’s in “Sport” or one of the age related categories. You do not need BC membership or a licence to race, if you do have one, make sure you bring your licence on the day.

Buff Marshals: as usual we need plenty of people on the day to make sure everything runs safely if you want to be part of the action let us know. Course setup starts at 07:15 and marshals are needed from 08:45, riders can get a free race by helping with course setup. You get really well looked after and our eternal gratitude (and a free Buff, food and drink, £50 cash draw and other goodies). Contact info@brownbacksracing.co.uk to let us know you are coming.

2011: We’ll be back in 2011 will a 4 race series and “something different” event. The “something different” is up in the air (but will involve mountain bikes) and most of the winter will be spent trying to work out what is viable. Some of the ideas are “big” so watch this space (we can promise that it won’t be a 24 hour race in the quarry though).