catch up on the WolfPack Racing 2013 season so far!

I am afraid that with everything that has been happening with the business and my intensive kickboxing training, I have let these blog posts fall behind quite a bit, so I will keep things fairly brief and get you all up to speed with the story so far.

Race number1     The Northern Downhill Trail bike dh

Having just sold both my freeride bike and am bike for something
more in the middle I wanted to try something different. Having missed out on most of the enduro races so far confirmed I opted for this little gem. A race down an xc descent aimed at the kind of bike you would ride at a trail centre, a good few people we knew were down for this one and being my first time at Hamsterley I was pretty excited about it.

First off the track in question was amazing fun even with the flat sprint in the middle, running xc tyres meant it was pretty loose with plenty of two wheel drifting going on. My first run had a few mistakes in it and I knew I could improve a good few seconds on my next run, so I was very surprised when I got to the bottom and discovered Id beaten all the others that I went with, and the security that came from getting a descent time on my first run was nice. Jen was not having a good time of it having left her contact lenses at home and having brake issues on her cheap am bike which had in general seen better days. Still in true Jenny style she remained determined to try her best.

Run two went perfect for me all the way to the middle sprint where I knew Id not pedalled enough on the previous run, I hit every line I wanted and by the fast end section I was beginning to catch the guy in front, just as I was upon him and looking for a way to get past my maxis Ardent tyres slipped and I wiped out in spectacular style only a hundred metres or so from the end. Much to my satisfaction none of my comrades had improved on my time and I felt pleased with my result although it was a shame that there were no ages categories and my 42nd place sounded quite abysmal  when in fact I was about 8th out of my age class. Jen's 2nd run was not to her satisfaction and she left that day quite deflated although I was certain that a badly maintained and run down bike was to blame.

Race number 2 The Church of Steetley Race series rd 1

This race was a simple mates race down at our local Steetley Woods.
With just 2 days notice 30 or so like minded riders amassed on the small but scenic spot near Doncaster for some back to basics racing, as per usual the track had been taped off with great ingenuity to join various tracks and create a never before ridden run that had a bit of everything on it. Jen was in to race this one for a bit of fun even though she is probably the only female to ride there and as such didn't have anyone to race, but the track was certainly a challenge particularly at the bottom where it was menacingly steep with trees in all the worst places.
Run number 1 was pretty average for me and I failed to break the minute mark, Neesh Bender (local mentalist racer turned up still suffering from the night before and promptly had a high speed encounter with a tree which resulted in a broken collar bone, Standards Down racing lads Martin Creaser and Scotty were both up to their consistent speed but fellow Standards Down rider Kingsley Mears was on fire and looked seemingly untouchable. Run number 2 was a big improvement and saw me get below that important minute mark although the third (thats right 3rd) run ended with two crashes and I stayed in 4th in the end. Jen managed a clean run down on her 3rd and was quite happy to have beaten some of the lads, Creaser took 3rd Scotty 2nd and Kingsley smashed it taking the win!


Church O Steetley rd 1 edit

Race number 3 The Church of Steetley Race series rd 2

It had been a while since the last race, even since last getting out on the bike, as work priorities had got in the way, the race we planned to do a couple of weeks before didnt go ahead despite me feeling quick in practise, as I had cracked a rib kickboxing and decided not to risk in case I fell onto it. Jen had had a bad day at practise and sprained a knee ligament which meant she was out of action for a while and beginning to feel the need for a change of bike, time for her to follow suit and change her two for a more pedal able rig, and so here we were again with 2 days notice, time for round 2 at Steetley. Having beaten pal and local Scotty 3 times in a row last year I was hoping not to get beaten by him again this time, but unfortunately this track was out to get me and on my first run I binned it right at the end, luckily crossing the line as I crashed, and scoring a respectable time in the process. Neesh Bender having recovered from the broken shoulder in rd 1 was on form although true to form he failed to stay on on his first run. Scotty ....well what can I say he seemed to know the track too well and it was clear from the start I wasnt going to beat him today. Bender's second run saw him take the lead ahead of local youngster Luke bell leaving Scotty to finish 3rd and Martin Creaser this time getting knocked down to 5th by another youngster Adam Dawson, leaving me disgruntled in 6th.
The points situation so far
Scotty         1st   25 pts
Neesh         2nd  20pts
Kingsley     2nd  20 pts
Creaser       3rd   17 pts
A Dawson  4th   15 pts
Me              5th   14 pts

Church O Steetley rd 2 Wolf Pack Racing edit

Church O Steetley rd 2 Scotty's edit

Race number 4 Eckington Trail Collective rd1

It seemed like an age had past since we last rode at Eckington but finally rd 1 was upon us, Jen was now sporting her new bike a Trek Scratch air and having had a week of riding with me at every opportunity at various local spots she was feeling bonded with the new machine. Unfortunately this round fell at an awkward time as it was round 3 of the Borderline events series the same weekend, and so the turn out was poor, so much so in fact that the only girls racing were both the girls from our team, Jen knew she had a problem as she was not comfortable hitting the new ladder drop near the bottom, where as Becci thrives off that kind of thing, watching the pair of them come down it was any ones guess who was winning. I knew after a few practise runs with Scotty that the pair of us should do well that day but also that the track was so dry and fast that I was highly likely to end up crashing at some point, and sure enough on my first run I slipped trying to take a high line in the bottom section and crashed with a poor time that saw me in 6th place.

 Local Tim Adgie looked as though his bike was rocket propelled as he flew to the finish line where the track turned 90 degrees onto a farm track for the final 5 metre sprint, as he did so however he hit a rut and had a nasty crash which resulted in ....yes you guessed it a broken collar bone. Craig Bargery had a storming 1st run and took the hot spot. My second run went picture perfect and I felt certain I would get onto the podium, but as I flew round the afore mentioned corner my back wheel lost traction and I washed out just 5 metres from the line. Scotty's run was better but still not enough to take the win and he had to settle for second with Craig holding onto his 1st place. New member Andy Cody pulled out a good result with what he called his "safe" 2nd run after crashing out on the first and took 4th place in the very tough seniors category. So that just left Becci and Jen to battle it out, and the sure did with Jen improving on her first run but Becci just pipped her by a third of a second to take the win.

Race number 5 The Steve Peat Steel city dh

This race was to be just the girls as the guys categories sold out straight away again. The weather had really spoiled us for this one and the track was bone dry and dusty, after a few practise it was clear that the girl's would both be needing to hit the gap jump on the track or loose valuable seconds, something that was perhaps more of an issue for Jen who isn't as confident in the air, but sure enough she hit it with commitment and rode it out despite slightly casing it (although to be fair many of the guys did the same, and many even dodged it altogether).

This year the organisers had tried to get more women racing and had opened up two categories for entrants, our girls both racing in the super tough experienced category. Beccy seemed to have a stonking first run and was sitting in 3rd by the end, with our Jen 2 and a half seconds behind and in 9th.

Jen was surprised to be so far back in the rankings having thought her run was pretty good, but this just shows how tough the group really was and with 2 elites racing in the group it was sure to be.

Beccy was really feeling the pressure knowing she was sitting on the podium and I watched as she came flying round the corner after the gap jump seemigly out of control, something had clearly gone wrong and the result was an unlucky crash that saw her unable to improve her time.
Jen did manage to improve her time by a second but with four of the racers being within tenths of a second of each other she only better her position by one place, but still 8th out of 30 is pretty impressive I say.

So with the infamous race drawing to a close for another year we celebrate another podium for the team well done Beccy!


Steely City dh results

Race number 6 One Industries mini Enduro

At last we had managed to get booked onto an enduro event! And being hosted by the organisers of the  
 661 mini downhill series, it was set to be a banger. The venue for this race was a place called Eastridge forest in Shropshire and what a little beauty it was! The format was quite simple although completely different to anything we'd done before. Three tracks which were all completly different. Stage 1 was very natural but also very long and pedally with lots of ups and a very muddy flat section in the middle. stage 2 had a bit more gradient but was really tight through dense trees, and stage 3 was a DH track, home of the student champs, and was steep, rocky and loose with some nice jumps on it before a horrible water crossing and slippy corner in the bottom field. There was an allocated time to get between each stage 45 mins to get from 1 to 2 and half an hour to get from 2 to 3, this was enough time to have a steady climb, even walk some sections but still short enough for there not to be any of the awfull waiting around between runs.

 Every bike it seemed was equipped with a dropper seat post and I felt for Jen having to manage without one, although by the end of practise on saturday mine had stopped working and was stuck in the down position.
This cost me dearly on stage 1 as there was so much pedalling I would have wanted it up the whole time, to make things worse I set off and left my goggles mounted on my helmet and didn't by the time I remebered they were long gone, upon hitting the flat muddy slog I fought for traction but the mud won and Im sure I must have scooted for most of it, I tried to pull it back at the last section of stage one, but knew deep down I had screwed it up, I climbed with the guy behind me and the the relaxed vibe almost made me forget I was racing, it was just like riding a trail centre with your mates, by the time I reached the top of stage 2 the nerves had gone and I set off like a rocket determined to salvage my time as best as I could.
Stage 2 seemed to go pretty well and the last climb wasnt half as bad as the first, at the top however it was very exposed and a biting wind had started to chill me to the bones, time for me again and I was determined I would at least get a good result on this stage being the steepest and gnarliest, I passed jen on her way up and heard her cheers which spurred me on, sending both jumps at the bottom of the woods before speeding across the water crossing, over a fun table top in the field, round a greasy corner that had me in practise the day before, and a final sprint to the line. I had given it all I had and apart from a couple of lines I missed I was happy with my effort.

I now waited and watched as rider after rider crashed on the tabletop or wiped out on the last corner, when finally the women appeared I was anxious to see how fast they looked compared to Jen, then Jen appeared blitzing across the water crossing, catching the rider in front who had come to a stand still causing Jen to have to run round her before jumping on the bike and sprinting for the tabletop (the only girl to hit and clear it). Once Jen had crossed the line she showed me her flat tyre, "thats the second one today!" she exclaimed, it turned out Jen's first stage went equally as bad, as she got a flat right at the top and had to run the entire stage, this being the longest one by far too, damn unlucky as she came 3rd in stage 2 and won stage 3 but the time penalty from stage 1 meant she only finished 6th. When finally my results came in I had done disastrously in the first stage, 27th in fact but 10th in the 2nd and 3rd so I finished 16th overall.
One thing that is for sure is that it was without a doubt the most fun Ive had racing for a long time and we will definitely me doing more of that type of event.

One Industries mini enduro results

Jen does it again!

    The 2012 season might be done and dusted, but here at Wolfpack HQ, things have been pretty manic for the last couple of months, and after all the effort the new team lineup has been finalised along with a brand new kit and sponsors for the upcoming season, and also just in time for the 661 mini DH winter series, and when I say just in time we literally picked up our kit on the way down to the Forest of Dean.


  Anyone that has done the 661 mini dh races before will know how it gathers a big crowd due to the fact that there's not much else on at this time of year. Add to that the fact that the tracks are all super fun and you have all the ingredients for a good race, the only other factor to add to the mix being the weather. This weekend was set to stay dry, but very cold. Having a full team down there this time we had decided to book a nearby lodge for us and a few others, and with sub zero temperatures all weekend this was a wise move. We arrived late Friday night so we could have a full days practise the next day. In the morning after a hearty fried breakfast we turned up to check out the track, this race was to be held on the Ski run track, a favourite with many riders. Even by ten o'clock the track was still frozen solid, and as riders flew by the tyres sounded as if they were riding on concrete, me and Jen still had the spikes on the front of our bikes and after a couple of runs I was ready to go change them, but really couldn't be bothered with changing tyres in the freezing cold so I opted to wait and see if it would thaw at all. Shortly after we had arrived, new team members Andy Cody and Becci Skelton turned up, Brendog had come along for the weekend too as head cheerleader, although I could tell that not being able to ride was really adding insult to injury for him.

  After a few runs we all had huge smiles on our faces as we remembered how good the track is, I made a point of riding with Dan the man as much as possible as, despite being the least fit of the team he is still the fastest for sure, and he has an incredible ability to Analise tracks and instantly spot sneaky lines left, right, and centre. Watching other riders it was clear the level of racing this weekend was going to be awesome, Pro rider Ben Deakin was a blur as he sped through the woods at warp speed, I managed to clock one of his lines on the fast off camber slope near the end, and after a few gos sessioning it, I knew it was a good line for me. One rider that really stood out was a guy that was in the lodge with us, a friend of Ben and Cath from Leeds that they met in the Alps, I hadn't spoken to him much, but it seemed he hadn't raced much and was from a trials background, but he was certainly getting down this track quicker than any of us, including Dan. Jen and Becci were riding well together and Jen was passing on her experience at looking for lines to Becci who was ensuring that they pedalled like machines. Myself and Dan were both helping Andy get to grips with a fast but technical track and it was impossible to tell that he was a rookie at his first big race, after a really fast practise run we waited to see how Andy had got on with the sneaky line I mentioned, only to see him covered from head to toe in thick mud and carrying his helmet with broken peak after having hit the deck hard on the last jump. Friends that had seen the crash said they were surprised he got up fro it, he was clearly in pain though having taken most of the fall on his shoulder. The girls were all treated to some coaching, courtesy of 4x champ Katy Curd and whilst doing so Becci also went down hard, she continued riding hard all day despite this though, I swear that girl is a terminator or something. Jen had received some jumping tips and was determined to get the last table cleared and with each run she was getting closer, and flying off the road gap like never before. So after a good days practise it was off to base camp for some grub a few beers and some shut eye.

  Up early for the big day and it was even colder than the day before, we got to the track in time for some early practise runs and with many more riders hitting the track it didn't look like it would be too long before it started to get churned up, so I decided to stay with the spike/minion combo. After a couple of runs I was aware that perhaps I had spent too much time concentrating on the bottom of the course and not enough time practising the rocky section about half way down, it was a bit late now though I would have to hope my instincts would see me right.
  As Jen came blitzing past on her first run we could see she was going to get stuck behind the rider in front, 20 second gaps are just not enough when theres such a broad spectrum of ability in the women's category, her prima donna hissy fit confirmed that she was incredibly pissed off to have this happen to her at two races in a row but as I explained many of the other girls were also catching the rider in front and she would be ok when they are seeded for run two. She proceeded to tell me "you'd be just as mad if it was you!" to which I replied that I'd be fine and just deal with it, wise words that I would live to regret perhaps. The girls seeded in 6th and 7th after the first run. I was late up for my first run after going back to the van for an SD card for the camera. All I could think as I sat on the line was that I hoped I could get the hip round the tree at the top right, as it hadn't gone to plan on most of my practise runs. As the beeps stopped I was off cranking like a mad man and sending it off the kicker before the hip, and scrubbing yes scrubbing the jump round the tree "go on Si! that was awesome!" screamed Jen from the side, I thought to myself, yeah it was wasn't it, how the hell did I do it? As I came into the steep rocky section with steps and compressions everywhere I had to let my reactions take over as I hadn't got a line visualised, and it seemed to work I felt fast as I cranked once more on the flat bit before the fast final descent. I hit my sneaky line at lightning speed and heard the cheers of the rest of the team as I blasted past like a raging berserker. A little too much brakes before the hair pin bend and I stalled a bit, making it hard to get back on the gas for the last stretch where it is a pedal to the finish, as I approached the table at the end I could see I'd caught the guy up with the same bike as me that I had been admiring the day before, the bike that is not the guy. He had lost his mech and I yelled for him to move over, which to his credit he did, just enough for me to overtake him on the last berm, much to the approval of the ever so entertaining m.c. How good was it? I thought, 1.14 enough to put me in 9th after run one, I was happy with that. Dan looked rapid as he went past us styling it as ever on every jump and after the 1st run he was in 15th in seniors, Andy was certainly giving it a damn good go, but after seeing him in pain after his crash yesterday I was amazed he was even racing at all.

Run number two didn't got as planned for me, I had high hopes of shaving a second off my time and staying in the top 10, and felt good about having put a solid run in first time round for a change and decided to lay it all on the line for my second, but I obviously pushed it too much and lost the back end right after the hip that I was so concerned about earlier, this saw me slide down to 12th place in the end, but it was well within the top 20 I had aimed for. Dan also lost it just a few metres before, most likely due to how dark it was by the time the seniors got their second run. Of course this meant he could play up to the crowd at the bottom with a seat grab on the big table and a crazy candy bar on the road gap. Dan slipped down to 22n place which surprised us all after he got 4th at round two last year.. He was clearly unhappy with the result and it goes to show how tough the seniors category is as he was still the fastest of the team on the day. Let's see how this affects his determination for round 2.



 As we watched the girls 2nd run we all commented on how the top 12 or so all seemed to look pretty quick through the bottom section, Katy Curd's winning run of course being fast by the guys standards. As I went down to see how they'd got on Jen's face said it all, 3rd place again at round 1, well done girl, Becci seemed disappointed with her 7th place finish and it came to light the top of the course didn't go as she'd planned, but 7th out of 18 at her first big race is not to be scoffed at by any means and she still beat a good few sponsored riders.

 So all in all a solid performance I think by the whole team and a podium shot for all our new sponsors which they are all stoked about. I should mention as well that the rookie I mentioned earlier that came down with Ben and Cath, Ben Raynor, yeah well he only went and won seniors and got the fastest time of the day with a blinding 1.05, keep your eyes peeled for Ben smashing pros in the 2013 season I'm sure.

                                   661 mini dh round 1 Dec 2012 Video

Urban X dont forget the troops charity race

The 2012 season is all wrapped up for us at Wolfpack HQ and for the last few weeks I have been busy making preparations for the team in 2013, which includes a new line up, kit and sponsorship deals. But there was just time for a charity race, and it was all for a good cause, organised by Trev from Urban X it was to be a race held on remembrance Sunday with all proceeds going to the British legion.

As the day of the race was upon us I have to say, for the first time I really wasn't feeling it, it had been a hectic week with three deliveries at opposite ends of the country, and many very late nights in the workshop. Jen had managed to squeeze a morning practise session in earlier in the week, but I hadn't ridden this track in nearly a year and turning up late meant there was only time for one practise run, which resulted in a crash half way down. The weather was certainly doing a good job of lifting my spirits however and it was good to see many of the friends we had made over the last year in the local mates race scene, although there was lots of new faces too.

As I stood amongst afore mentioned comrades watching the first of the women racers come down there were murmurs of "Jen having this one in the bag", but we both knew it wasn't going to be as easy as that, a rider we had met earlier in the year at the King of the hill race Becci Skelton was here here with her partner Andy Cody, and this was to be the last time her and Jen raced without being on the same team. I saw potential in these two straight away and quickly signed them up for 2013s team. Jen had so far beaten Becci twice but it was a hard fight each time. On her first run Becci made a slight misjudgement on the rocky double at the top of the track and it turns out she had another incident further down the track, costing her dearly. Jen came blitzing down the rocky section with ease and I felt sure she was in for a winning run, however when Jen returned it was with a most unhappy expression, it came to light that she had caught up the rider in front and came to a stand still before getting past her.
Jens friend Janine Wolstenholme looked quick on her run and was in the lead after run 1.

And then my turn came around, everything seemed to be going fine until a brake issue I had noticed on my practise run came back to haunt me and I over shot a corner crashing into the trees, I got back to my feet and after finding my bike I was back on the track I knew it was over for me on run 1, however somehow I managed to stay in 2nd place, behind one of my nemesis Ben Tilford.

Second run time and this time Jen was up first to avoid a repetition of the incident on run 1. I felt sorry for Jen as it is an awkward position to be in when your first run has gone horribly wrong and you have to get as good a time as possible whilst not taking any risks that might see you crashing, but that's the way it goes in racing, Jen clocked up a decent time but it seemed to me she had held back a bit at the top compared to her first run. After Becci had got down, this time with no trouble, she had pipped our Jen by a second to take the win with Jen in second place.  One thing is for sure watching these two racing together as team mates next year is going to be awesome, and their natural competitiveness is going to spur them both on to get quicker and quicker, me and the lads on the team are going to struggle to get the same results these two are sure to get.

Sitting at the top of the start line I felt that pressure again, I knew I could  take the win here I felt certain of it, I stormed through the rock chute and over the double almost coming a cropper as I over shot the jump and landed front heavy, only just keeping it together. The next section of the track is a horrible technical section with about as much flow as pushing a wheel barrow down a train track, followed by a long pedal that I felt sure would be a strong point for me, then came the corner I blew it on last time, this time I got round, I felt it was mine now as I flew off the rock drop, a little sketchy on the landing but all was good still, then as it gets tight between the trees just before the end of the course my enthusiasm had got the better off me and I slipped off my line and into a rut, but still I thought I could take the win, when a branch flipped from under my wheel and through my spokes sending me straight over the bars, ripping the crotch of my shorts as they caught on my bars. This time I didn't even try to get back to speed and just rolled the remaining 15 metres to the finish. What happened next wasn't like me as I stormed off in a tantrum past friend and winner of the race Ben Tilford. What had happened to me? I was so angry that I got so close and stuffed it at the end. It would appear that my strategy to lay it all on the line was to cost me that day, despite this somehow my first time was good enough for me to finish third and the bling prizes that are standard at an Urban X event softened the blow. As Jen sorted out the charity raffle with top prize being two uplift tickets from Descend Hamsterley I convinced myself that it was my bikes fault and that treating myself to a nice new bike would make it all better.

The day proved to be a huge success raising over £500, and I send out my deepest thanks to Trev and all the Urban X crew for making it happen, Trev puts in a massive amount of effort into his events, often at his own cost, simply for the love of the sport and the downhill scene could do with more ambassadors like him, give yourself a big pat on the back Trev. Thanks also to the sponsors of the day Avit Dirt Dim Duke Girl MTN Biker Bike Tree Edinburgh Cycles Cadbury/Kraft MJMD productions Fatality bmx and many more.

                                      LINK TO THE WOLFPACK RACING VIDEO EDIT

2012 season ends on a high!

Its a Sunday morning and the sun is shining, the gold, red and orange tones of the autumn leaves stand out highlighted against a bright blue October sky. High above a circling buzzard screeches. So the Eckington Trail collective have ordered the atmosphere for the day then.

The newly built trail is tight and technical at the top with a good long pedally section littered with hazards in the form of stumps, roots and some twists and turns, after this it all goes natural with a rutted up, off camber line leading to a do or die jump that most were missing out on the day. The final stretch calls for every rider to summon up their best death grip and get loose as they dare as they slide down to the finish.

During morning practise the track is running surprisingly fast thanks to the new dirty Dan tyre on the front thanks to Wide Open Downhill Sheffield. This is the first time since the Peaty race early on in the year however that my legs have felt the burn by the time I'm about half way down. Birthday boy Dan has clearly over done the celebrating and despite being chuffed to bits to be riding his own bike for the first time, thoughts of a fastest time of the day have long gone. Myself, I hadn't had a full run down without crashing up to this point, although if I could just keep it together, I was feeling fast. My new nemesis Standards Down rider Scotty is full of the usual banter and we are hotly debating which is quicker, to hit the jump or dodge it and get a straighter line into the next corner. Feeling slightly unsure how the race is going to unfold we make our way up for the rider briefing.

On run one Jens comes flying down the top steep section but seems to struggle across the slop before ditching it on the evil roots ahead. As the juniors and seniors take to the stage its plain to see the times are not as fast as usual. Working my way down the track filming for my regular race edit I head over to the faster portion of the track, and here I see rider after rider fall victim to the nasty jump, it seems the kicker has got so sloppy that it is sapping speed on take off and causing the front end to come down too quick. As Dan Charlesworth comes into view he has no problem with the jump but as he fades out of view I see him clip a tree and loose his line. I later find out his run up top didn't go well either. As I come down on my first run the top doesn't seem to go too bad, but as I try to find my line round the tree and onto the off camber run in to the jump, i loose a foot off a pedal and struggle to get it back on, meaning I have to dodge said jump and clearly loose lots of momentum. Somehow though i manage to stay in the top five at the end of run one, it seems many have had incidents on route down the track.

The conditions have changed hugely since practise and the mud is no longer the fast slippy sort it was earlier, but the slow claggy sort that seems to suck every ounce of speed off you. With this in mind we all prepare to lay it on the line for the second run.

Jen's run goes much better and is enough to take her first win at Eckington, Dan the man manages to come back to life a bit by his second run and shaves a couple of seconds off his first run, we all know its not a track he was going to excel on though and 5th is still a decent result and good points for him and the team. So now my turn, after my shoddy run, nemesis Scotty took great pleasure in seeing himself 5 seconds up, for the first time since i started racing I feel the nerves on the start tower and as I launch into my second run I decide to throw caution to the wind, as I look for my line across the off camber roots I realise I'm safe this time and pedal like hell for the jump, landing smooth and carrying plenty of speed into the death grip zone, which also goes without incident. I cross the line and once my burning lungs manage to replenish my exhausted body with oxygen I see that I've took over 5 seconds off the first run and just pipped banter boy again. Despite still only finishing 5th I'm in no doubt that I couldn't have done much more, and managed the team's fastest time by 2 seconds. The competition in masters today is immense and although local boy Darren Wilson is not racing again and Davy Ledgerwood seems to have retired, the vacant spaces have been filled by some incredibly quick riders.

Winner from the last race Al Ward and 4x champ Martin Ogden take 2nd and 3rd but newcomer to the series James Risker smashes the rest with two runs only one hundredth apart.

In seniors local pinner Chris Jones wins and gets fastest time of the day with Steve Dawson who has just moved up to seniors in 2nd and Jonny Congreve in 3rd.

                                                 Eckington race series round 4 video edit

The following weekend saw the team down to just myself and Jen, this time back to Hamilton Hill Freeride park in Market Rasen for the annual Triple Treat race. The format of this race is slightly different, 3 short tracks with one run down each, the time is then combined. Each of the tracks has a different feel to it and they are all brilliantly thought out to maximise the fun factor, one slight mistake here can cost you the race.

The Friday night Halloween festivities with the Eckington guys meant that the planned practise on Saturday was a complete write off, although not entirely wasted as Jen got to pick up her newly built wheels, and I had mine trued and serviced courtesy of Ben at Fatality BMX.

The morning of the race we got to the little hill bright and early to rehearse the tracks and try and remember the old lines, we now only come over here twice a year to race and always leave wondering why we don't go more often. My first thoughts were that I shouldn't have left the spiked tyre on the front of our bikes from last weekend as the track known as old school was slightly different, it now had a long rock garden at the top after which two "lay it flat" berms led you to a long sprint to the finish, this sprint was an absolute killer with a brand new super tacky spike on, and with barely any wet to warrant it either. Track number two which goes by many names but I remember it as 48 was the track we used last time we raced there, all be it with a different ending, this time the ever so entertaining rhythm section led you off a size able rock drop and then to three large jumps, which in the mud were considerably hard to hit fast enough. Again I wondered whether the grip we had on the short loose section at the top was worth the effort of pedalling the slow mud tyres down the bottom. That just leaves the popular top track or "patio" which was fairly pedally although very flowy at the top and got faster towards the bottom with some fun jumps all along the way. Both of us felt happy with the tracks and could only hope that the forecast rain was going to arrive.

As Jen appeared in view on the first track it was clear she wanted the win, she knew both other girls were also keen, and she was going to need to fight for it. This track was always her favorite even though it was different back when this was our local, and she blasted through the rock garden with ease, all those days up at Wharnecliffe obviously helping. However once onto the flat it looked hard work for her to pedal the big bike to the finish and once all the girls had gone down Becci Skelton was ahead by almost a second.

On my first run the rocks seemed to go perfectly to plan and I got on the gas straight away pedalling with all my might to the finish. To my surprise I was the fastest in my category down track one with a good 1.7 seconds ahead of 2nd, that was good to know going into track 2. Once again Scotty and co were here and he was heckling away as expected, to be honest I had my doubts about beating him today but the first run did get me thinking "what if?"

This event as always was catered by the guys at RATZ better halves, and with soup supplied by Glorious and Lincolnshire's finest sausages on the grill as well as a couple of free burgers to all racers I got slightly side tracked and missed Jen's second run, just catching a glimpse of her sending it off the last table top. When rival Becci crossed the line she was up by a second again and I was now feeling guilty about leaving those damn tyres on. As I filmed Jodie Foster's run she landed awkwardly off the big rock drop and ate dirt just before the first of the big jumps, but in true Jodie style she got up immediately and pounced back on her short travel bike and pedalled to the finish.

As I sat atop the start tower listening for the timing beeps I once again could feel the pressure, I had done well on this track at the last race but knew that it was local Rick Lamyman's favourite and as always there was scotty yapping away in his south Yorkshire twang, not to mention various other quick riders after a piece in the masters category. Its easy to forget that you don't have a second run in this race and all it takes is a slip from pushing too hard and that lead would be gone. I was grateful for the spike as i ripped through the loose s bend at the top, my front end not budging a bit, I then hit the line perfectly through the rhythm section, but as I reached the take off for the last table top something went wrong and I veered off to the right which sent me through the huge mud puddle beyond and into a drift heading for a huge tree, that looked like it had my name written all over it. Somehow with one leg flailing around desperately I just managed to avoid it and scoot my way across the line. The mistake cost me and I finished 4th on this track with my lead reduced to about a second.

Time for the final track then, in my opinion there was one corner where Jen could win or loose the race on this track, about half way down a tight chicane where she struggled the previous year, it was very sloppy though and I hoped the tyre would gain her a second or so here. This was where I chose to watch and yell from, she certainly wasn't holding back as she got round the corner smoothly before sprinting to the famous patio jump and finding a good line to the finish where for a split second she slipped on the last corner before the Dirty Dan tyre bit. As Becci came into view on the last straight she was pedalling like a woman possessed, but unfortunately the wet corner at the finish claimed it's first victim and despite getting up and across the line quickly Jen had somehow clawed it back. I was relieved, it meant I was off the hook for the tyre choice. Jodie followed shortly after and it was possible she could take advantage of Becci's misfortune, but alas the corner caught her out as well meaning Jen took the win.

By the time it got to the masters last run things had taken a turn for the worse, the rain was now pouring down and it was getting dark with a mist beginning to descend. The track through the trees was now almost impossible to see and after trying in vain to stop my goggles steaming up I went for my final run. Half way down I had to strain to see through mud splattered eyes and felt my bars clip a tree, but somehow I hit my line right and crossed the line nearly 2 seconds ahead of 2nd and when it was all totted up I realised I had done it, taken my first win at the place I first learnt to ride dh.

The results were announced and Jen and I got our trophies before the usual bling raffle saw prizes a plenty being handed out courtesy of Superstar Components,

It is at this point I must mention that only three months after smashing his collar bone into 3 pieces a certain Veteran has returned and obliterated racers in every category, yes folks that's right Creaser's back!

Huge thanks to all the RATZ crew involved and all the sponsors of this fantastic event.

                                                             RATZ Triple Treat video edit

Final round of the Eckington Trail Collective series

After what seems like an age since the last race, it's finally here, the final round of the ETC race series. And what a series it has been so far.
In the last round I exceeded my expectations and the whole team put on a stonking performance, taking the win in the team stakes. Jen as expected took that 2nd spot again, but is there any chance she can shove Nik Burscough Brown off the top of the podium in round 4?
Little Kieran Powell, over the moon that he could get down this track, came first........out of one. But he was really pleased with himself for that as his nerves always get the better of him on race day.
Danny (sketchy) McGinley slid and crashed his way to third in juniors, despite opting to go through the undergrowth at the top of the track, and seemed to really enjoy his first taste of downhill.

As for myself, well I took the opportunity to capitalise on certain racer's absenteeism and somehow put a full run in without any mistakes on run two to break the minute mark and claim 3rd just one tenth behind Dom Bent in second.
That just leaves Dan the man who as we expected, smashed the opposition with an amazing 55second run that got him fastest time of the day.

So where does that put us in the overall standings? Sitting comfortably in second, 110 points clear, and in terms of individual overall standings? I am clinging onto third place (surprised myself when I saw that) but with many of the usual candidates back for this one (except Davy Ledge, who unfortunately re broke his just healed collar bone at the last race ) its going to be a tall order to stay there.
Jen Wilson? surprise, surprise shes in second and it looks doubt full that will change.
So it really is down to the wire for our Dan, as Jonesy missed round 3 he's unlikely to take the win, but Dan and Jordan Gould have been battling it out all through the series and with Jordan having the lead by one point, all Dan has to do is beat him in this round and come in the top 5 to take the win in seniors. This will be Dan's first outing on his own bike as well, and with high hopes for the team and the recent new members for next year's race season we will be interested to see how close to local pinner and English champs winner Billy Mathews he can get. There could be some nationals on the cards  next year for Dan so lets see what he can do.
In short it looks set to be a cracking end to a cracking series, make it talk guys.

This Sunday sees round three of the Eckington Trail Collective series, so what can we expect from this exciting little mates race at what is rapidly becoming one of our favourite places to ride?

Looking at the line up it's clear that there's a few of the big guns missing, perhaps it's due to summer (cough) holidays or maybe it's the nationals at Caersws. Billy Mathews from the SPS is out so fastest time of the day is up for grabs, and Martin Creaser is out after breaking his collar bone into four pieces at last weekend's King of the Hill race at Market Rasen. But perhaps the biggest news is that locals Team ETC are missing two of their fastest riders.

Can our rag tag team of weekend racers use the opportunity to catch up in the team championship standings, one things for sure with our A team still out (the Rule lads still busy with the freestyle motocross shows, and Brendog recovering from knee surgery) it wont be easy.

The first major change to the lineup is ripper Kieran Powell, despite crashing in his race last weekend and failing to make it onto the podium, he is in high spirits about riding lately and with loads of new bits on his bike bike he is confident that he can make it down the track, which with some steep and loose sections is a feat any 10 year old should be proud of.

Pete Keeton McGinley (who put on a storming performance in round 1) is unlikely to make it unless he finishes moving house early Sunday but his younger brother Danny has stepped up for his first taste of DH racing.

In masters it's wide open with Darren Wilson from ETC out with an injury (done on the infamous gap jump on this very track) and Stephen Hardcastle somewhere with altitude in the Alps. Davy Ledgerwood will be wanting to take the win for sure but who else wants a piece? Dom Bent is racing for the first time this series, and Ben Tilford just having returned from the Alps is going to be feeling pretty comfortable on his bike, either that or completely worn out! Steve Scott returns to the series to fill Martin Creasers shoes for Standards Down Racing, but has his rock and roll lifestyle taken it's toll? Don't overlook the medium sized member of Team Ledge Dan however, or indeed Team mother Huckers Craig Bargery who is also consistently just off the podium. Myself, well after my first podium at King of the Hill last weekend I was full of confidence, but earlier this week I crashed on aforementioned gap jump and my ankle injury has flared up again, still top five would be great!

Jennifer Wilson has had a good couple of weekends recently, winning at King of the Hill last weekend and a cracking performance at the National Champs at Moelfre the weekend before, where she beat friend and Team ETC rival Nik Burscough Brown, but the competition is stiff, Cath Short of Team Idiot (winner of the Farmer John's series) has also returned from an Alpine riding trip, and Kim Bent (world's level BMX racer) is racing again for the first time since round 2 last year. Can Nik keep up her record and win the category again?

Our hopes are high for the seniors category with Chris Jones of Team ETC unable to make it this week. Dan the man Charlesworth put on a stonking show in round 2, taking 2nd and all eyes are on him to take the win this time round, but as we all know his dedication is hit and miss at best, and he has only ridden a bike twice since the last race so indeed the pressure is on.

Roll on Sunday it's going to be a banger!

Wolf Pack Racing

After having done a few mate's races now and getting a taste for the racing scene, I decided the time was right to put a team together. After all weve a hundred or so members in the group now, many of whom get out and about racing regularly. The main reason behind this idea is to help with the cost of racing as, with a Liscence, Bc membership, race fees and travel costs it soon adds up. We have now got our bike bus kitted out ready for transporting 7 people and bikes so theoretically it should work. As well as this the guys behind our local riding spot The Eckington Trail Collective had announced the 2012 race series, and this would include a team championship which sounded great and it's always fun to race there.

Choosing the lineup wasn't too hard either, as of course myself, Jen and her cousin Dan the man would be up for racing as much as possible, and then there was the guys we'd met at last years Caersws trip, and aswell as hitting it off with them straight away, they were also damn fast! As a consequence of riding with them we also met the guys behind Rule Industries, and the stage seemed set for a six strong team for the upcoming season.

So heres a quick introduction to the team

Myself     Simon Powell
Well not exactly a wealth of knowledge as Ive only been doing it just over a year, but what I lack in experience and ability I certainly make up for in enthusiasm. In the last year I feel happy with the progress I've made, and riding with the rest of the more experienced guys in the team has definately helped push me on.

Little Jenny Wilson
My missus has certainly developed a taste for the sport and last years weekend with the Atherton's at the Red Bull Weekend Warriors thing has made her as determined as me to try and push herself.
Jen is no stranger to competition however and this is perhaps why she handles race day nerves so much better than most, Since the age of 10 Jen has competed in Gymnastics, swimming and running, almost every weekend right up until leaving school and reaching national level at swimming and running. I think we must have thrown out two full bin bags of silverware and medals when we last moved house.

Dan the man Charlesworth
With a competetive history going back even further than Jen's since the age of 7 Dan has competed at every opportunity in the Moto X scene winning numerous championships and being sponsored by Bridestone Honda at a very young age. It is obviously this and his bmx experience as a kid that enabled him to be able to jump on a downhill bike with no experience and pull off an amazing 4th place in January's 661 mini downhill at F.O.D, missing the podium by half a second, a time that would have got him 6th in the pro category. Dan was never off a bike as a kid and if he wasn't out smashing the opposition at a Moto X, he was out digging gnarly jumps with his bmx, this shows when you see him ride aswell, it's a common sight to see Dan throw a huge one hander or no footer on a race run.

Brendan (Brendog) Hazlehurst
A strange coincidence that Bren used to race with Dan in the school boys championships, Bren has an equally impressive history as Dan spanning up to teenage years winning many championships and going pro before a major head injury halted the Moto X career for him. Since then Bren dissappeared from the scene for a while, as you'd expect from such a trauma. Finally the urge to "go big" came back and Brendan returned, this time on a dj bike, and quickly became one of the resident nutters at local trails. Soon after Brendan found downhill and it's clear that the skills learned in Moto X havent left him, and  it must be from the dirt jumping that Brendan flows down tracks with such ease. I eagerly await seeing Brendon in action on the race scene.

Pete Keeton Mcginley
Pete met Bren through riding Dj at a local spot and they have joined the Dh scene together since. Pete also has a long history of racing Moto X as a senior, as well as riding bmx and dirt as long as he can remember. Stylish and controled whenever he rides Pete is sure to be one to watch as he gains some racing experience.

Chris Haynes
Chris was practically born on a Moto X bike, riding since the tender age of 3, and racing from the age of 12 until 20, winning 3 championships along the way. Chris has been riding freestyle Moto X for his stunt team along with fellow Wolf Pack Racing team member Kevin Loughrey since the age of 16 and performs at shows all over europe, although only doing downhill for the last year as with the other guys in the team, awesome bike skills and the ability to go crazily fast seems standard issue.

Kevin Loughrey
(to be updated soon)

Wolf Pack Racing Promo video
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