Drift MTB

Drift-MTB goes racing-Woodland Riders Rd.1

Today, Sunday, was the first race of the season for me, held up at Chipshop tracks, close to Gawton.

I knew the track was a minter, fast and flowy come torrential rain or shine.
Ash Mullane and Don Howe, representing Drift and Kustom Bikes attended, as did Junior Jay Williamson and Adam Lock – two Drift and Certini Bicycle Co. boys. All these guys are super talented and reasonably local so I knew they would be up on the field’s times.

Pissing rain in preceding days meant conditions were spot-on for winter racing! Here is a damp looking pits area that was buzzing with riders:

Practice was smooth, the track cleared of slop, everyone was looking smooth as ruts started to kick up allowing riders to flow harder and carry even more speed through the tight trees. The second road crossing, right through the pits made great spectating with this steep drop onto the track and racer’s double off it:

A pause for luncheon meant time for people to check out the competitions gear, or Fork Armour in this case and shelter from hailstones:

Come race time, riders were greeted with and old-skool esque start straight – sloppy mud and pretty flat. The rest of the track was running really well and top times after the first run were around 1:06. Local farmer Harry, who built the track, and lives in a barn on it set a blistering fastest, then Ben Deakin followed by Jay Williamson. Ash crashed on the flat, not enough traction control set?
On a short track like this times weren’t going to improve much, this was shown by the top ten generally moving just a second forwards. This time Ash put in solid mid 1:05, maybe keen just to finish well-up, Ben Deacon trumped this and went into first with Jay and Harry following on. I think all the top four finished on a 1:05 which shows how close the top boys are!

Jay easily topped the Junior podium, that’s a Drift Ti bottle opener he won! Not that anyone can see it it’s so small:

Ash (in green) sits in the middle of the senior podium with his solid second:

I had a great day, loved the close racing and sparring with friends who I haven’t ridden with in ages.
Thanks to Chaz L. who organised it all, hence the smooth running and provision of a great bike wash, the marshals for shouting their encouraging words and Don from Kustom Bikes for the flawless timing.

www.kustombikes.co.uk

Well done to the guys who ride for Drift, keep up the pedalling and grins this season!: