2011 DH NPS Round 4, Whitehorse, Co. Waterford

THE VENUE

Round four of the 2011 NPS will be held in the ever popular Whitehorse!

Less than 2 hours from Dublin and Cork Whitehorse has always been a popular venue so we are returning there once again to hold round four with a new variation on the original trails up here, some new rock (boulder) gardens, some new features and the steep finish by the drop off. It’s a nice technical track and will offer plenty of fun!

Denis Corkery will be providing uplifts & there will be catering at the event.

You can find Directions to the event here!

ACCOMMODATION

There are a number of Hotels/ B&B’s in the area, a few of which are listed below. There will be camping allowed in the field also. Please respect the kindness of the land owners and do not light fires or leave rubbish lying around.

Diamond Hill House – 051 832855 – www.stayatdiamondhill.com

Rosewood B&B – 051 832233 – www.rosewood-waterford.com

Ashbourne Guest House – 051 832037 – www.ashbournehouse.com

REGISTRATION

Riders are asked to register for the event using the Off Road Commission Registration system and will be able to up until Monday the 8^th of August

Registration will be online only. You will be able to sign-on on the day but will be subject to a late registration fee of €10. The categories and costs for each are shown below. There will be an option to pay on the day when you are registering, however people who do not register online will be subject to the penalty!

All under14 riders who are not aged 12 by the date of the event will not be allowed to compete at the event as per Cycling Ireland rules. Any Under14 rider who enters will be expected to show their birth certificate prior to or at the event. Refunds will not be offered to riders who enter the race illegally.

Please use the link below to register for the event.

http://fs17.formsite.com/offroadeventsreg/DHevent/index.html

Riders who have entered but wish to cancel their entry can claim a refund up to Monday the 8^th of August by contacting register@021racing.com

ENTRANTS CAN BE FOUND HERE

Anyone wishing to enter please consider payment via paypal. Entering without paying is just creating additional work for the organizers and off road commission who administer the online entry.

EVENT FORMAT

Saturday

9.00am – Registration Opens

10.00am – 4.00pm – Official Practice

Sunday

9.00am-11.00am – Official Practice

12:00 onwards – Racing

NEW UNDERAGE PROTECTION RULES

Parents and guardians of youth riders should take note of the NEW RULES FOR 2011 regarding YOUTH PROTECTION

SPINAL

All equipment used should have been designed and sold with the express purpose of being used as protective sports clothing.

Requirements

· Self fastening- does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.

· Constructed of a solid material e.g. Plastic.

· Cover full length of back from between shoulder blades to tail bone.

· Can be fully, partially or non-articulated in design.

· Can be stand alone back protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. Full body, half body or vest.

Not permitted

· Soft protectors without solid inserts e.g. not foam or neoprene.

· Motocross style “roost guards” unless with a specific back protector, not just a rear roost deflector.

GLOVES

All equipment used should have been designed and sold with the express purpose of being used as protective sports clothing.

Requirements

· Gloves giving full finger coverage.

Not permitted

· Partially fingered gloves.

SHOULDER

All equipment used should have been designed and sold with the express purpose of being used as protective sports clothing.

Requirements

· Self fastening- does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.

· Constructed of a solid material e.g. Plastic.

· Can be stand alone shoulder protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. Full body, half body or vest.

Not permitted

· Soft protectors without solid inserts e.g. Not foam or neoprene.

ELBOW

All equipment used should have been designed and sold with the express purpose of being used as protective sports clothing.

Requirements

· Self fastening- does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.

· Can be stand alone elbow protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. Full body, half body or vest.

KNEE

All equipment used should have been designed and sold with the express purpose of being used as protective sports clothing.

Requirements

· Self fastening- does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.

· Can be stand alone leg protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. Full body, half body or vest.

· Constructed of a solid material e.g. Plastic.

· Can be one piece knee/shin protectors or separate knee protector.

(Please note 6611 Kyle Strait/Troy Lee knee protectors will be permitted)

Nokia National Downhill Mountainbike Championship 2011

On July 23/24, Epic DH & Flow Racing are teaming up with Nokia Ireland to bring you the biggest event on the Downhill calendar. The Nokia Irish Downhill National Championship will be held in the very fitting venue of Carrick Mountain, near the village of Glenealy in Co. Wicklow.

This venue is well known and liked and has been tried and tested at both NPS and Championship levels. It is without doubt one of the most demanding, yet fun tracks on the Downhill Circuit. Home to the National champs back in 2009 we a delighted to be bring the biggest downhill event of the year back to this truly deserving Championship track.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. This year Nokia have come on boa not only to give each top rider a brand new nokia N8 jam packed with exclusive champion content and apps; but to be the first to film the entire national championships using mobile phones. Nokia N8s are multitalented smartphones with an astonishing 12mpx Carl Zeiss Camera, HD video recording, HDMI out, Dolby Sound and Free Voice guided navigation, to name a few of its advance features.

More at http://www.nokia.ie/ie-en/products/phone/n8-00/

See http://www.irishnationaldownhill.com/

The Track

Well down to the deciding part of the weekend, the track. For this year champs a new top sections has been build, extending the track some what and also giving riders a lot to think about straight off the start line, it’s bound to get people looking for those sneaky lines.

Irish DH National Champs 2011 Track Preview from Al Maxwell on Vimeo.

The new start is set higher to the left of the old start, as your looking up the track, it starts on top of a giant rock slab which you ride off the end of, there will be a lot of head scratching going on looking for the best line to follow. It then sends you into a long rock garden and onto a second rock slab which the track turns right across dropping down two rocky steps and into an open ruff ferns sections. Continuing through the ferns the track swings left and off a small drop into another rock garden, picking the best line here will set you up with some nice speed to try double over two big rocks or ride around to the right of them.

Coming out of this section your now heading for the old ski jump that was located after the rock drop from the old start, this has been extended right onto the new line which turns it into a hip using the original landing. Sending it far off this jump, you land down and quickly come into a fast open right hander, followed by a hard hitting left and trying to stay off the brakes you fly onto the open fire break. Cutting tight in to the trees on the right you shoot into the first bus stop. Doing the best to carry as much speed a possible though this section you shoot back out onto the rocky firebreak which sends you straight down the hill for a moment and then the track swings off left into ‘The Chute’. This consists of a large compression sending you up a blind bank and over into the rocky chute, a few more corners and you’re back out onto the rocky firebreak, this is where the speed starts going warp factor.

Across the fireroad you drop off the other side and into the forest with a slight off camber left, shooting across some solid rocks you then turn right and continue flat out into a series of berms and corners. Out of the last left hander and it sends you into the new sections that was put in for last years NPS. This contains two rolling rock drop which bring you into a series or whoops in the forest, skimming trees and picking the best lines is key here for getting the speed into the road gap. Off the road gap and you’re quickly down into the Eucalyptus forest section, this section is high speed on the edge of the tyre stuff, with long flat corners, trying hard to keep it quick and up right. Negotiating a few sections on and off the main trail you then take a hard right and head out towards the last fire road crossing.

Dropping out onto the fire road, few pedal strokes and you’re dropping back into the end section. The track get steeper and as you enter into the deep gully the spectators are roaring, the atmosphere is amazing as you wind yourself down into a step down jump which sends flying for a slightly changed exit out of the forest. Out you go onto the fireroad and across the finish line.

For riders’ safety, walking up the track is not permitted during practice or racing. You must be behind the tape if you choose to walk up, failure to follow this will result in disqualification.

The Event

In addition to the racing Saturday evening entertainment has been arranged:

The Premier of the new mountain bike documentary through the roots.
We will be having a free barbeque in the paddock area Saturday Evening. Its planned for 100 people, so get there early to avoid disappointment.
We hope to have some tunes.
We will be settling up some Dirt jump in the paddock to keep the giddy entertained once practice has finished. If its a nice evening we might have an old freestyle competition.

Relentles are on board as the Energy Sponsor for the event. They will be taking care of competitor energy requirement over the weekend. As well as providing a cash prise of €250 for the fastest time of the day.

Nukeproof will be on hand to showcase some of their latest products.

Local bike shop Bespoke Cycles will be on hand with a range of Lapierre bikes.

We will be providing catering, toilet facilities, first aid cover and uplifts.

Live timing, including splits, will be provided by Dave Morgan of NACC Events.

Bike wash facilities will be available on site.

Prises

There will be top 5 prizes for each category.

The winner of each category will be presented with Nokia N8.
http://www.nokia.ie/ie-en/products/phone/n8-00/

Thanks to Relentless there is a cash prise of €250 for the fastest time of the day.

Switch Backs have also kindle offered two half prices biking holidays. There will be raffled between the first 150 online entries, so get clicking.

Uplifts

Uplifts will be running on both the Saturday and Sunday. No race number means no uplift. You will be disqualified from the event if found riding the course without a number over the course of the event as it would jeopardise the event since you are not covered under the events insurance or medical support.

Venue Considerations

We would like to remind all riders and spectators that the race is on Coillte land. It is important to note that Mountain Biking is only permitted in Carrick under permit. For details of site where mountain biking is permitted please visit www.coillteoutdoors.com

This is a fantastic venue and we are trying to keep a good relationship in this area so please follow a few simple rules, do not dump your litter, we will be providing bins so make sure and use them. We have very kindly got the use of the Carrol Family’s Paddock and Field, so if you are staying on the venue camp fires are strictly prohibited and have consideration for both residents and other racers and keep noise to a minimum in the evening time, also make sure to clean up after yourselves. You are reminded that mini bikes and the like are not permitted under any circumstances.

Parking & Pit Setups

Areas will be provided for both competitor and spectator parking, please follow the directions of the parking marshals. There will also be areas for vendors and team pits. Space is limited so please book a lot my mailing epicdh@gmail.com. If you are a vendor who is not on the current listing of event partners please email epicdh@gmail.com.

Entry Fees and Categories

This event is pre entry only – To enter See http://www.irishnationaldownhill.com/

There will be no entry on the weekend.

Categories, entry fees & Eligibility

This event is being run under the rules of Cycling Ireland, it is competitors responsibly to ensure they fully comply with the rules.

Please see: Cycling Ireland Rules.

Download the Timetable HERE

Accommodation

The nearest big towns being Ashford, Rathnew, Rathdrum, there are several bed and breakfast’s in these towns, which can be found using Google.

Some accommodations within the local area can be found here

http://www.tripadvisor.com/AllLocations-g551591-c1-Hotels-Glenealy_County_Wicklow.html

Directions

From the N11 take the Rathnew turn off and head into Rathnew. When you get into Rathnew continue until you get to a small roundabout (little white circle painted on the road). Take a right on this and head for Glenealy. When you get to Glenealy there is a right turn signposted for Ashford. Take this and go up the road about 100m where there is a small lane hair pinning back on the left, continue up this lane, passing the Christmas tree farm on your right, until you see the field located on your right hand side, where the parking will be for the race weekend. If you are travelling down before the race weekend please use the GAA club car park which is located about 200m up on the left from the right turn in Glenealy. Do not park up the lane before the race weekend as this could cause issues the local residents, please don’t be lazy and inconsiderate on this as we don’t want to jeopardise this great venue. It’s an easy cycle up from the GAA car park along the lane mentioned earlier.

The race will be sign posted from the N11 exits in both North and South directions.

View Nokia National Champs 2011 in a larger map

*All riders must do a least two practice runs to be able to do your seeding & race run

021racing Webisode Part 3, from Irish NPS 3 in Cullohill, Co. Laois!

Filmed by Ronan Kavanagh, aka Flexo.

021 Racing. Webisode 3 on pinkbike.com

Next stop for 021racing is the Irish National Champs in Carrick Co. Wicklow on the 23, 24 of July.

See you there!

Pump Track Champs Results!

Mountain Bike Category:

1st, Stephen Forrest, 021racing.

2nd, Scott Coyne, MBW racing.

3rd, Seamus Mc Namara, 021racing.

BMX Category:

1st, Quin Looney, Rebel BMX.

2nd, Paul Kenneally.

3rd, Greg O’ Keeffe, 021racing.

Pumptrack Champs

We will be holding a Pumptrack Champs in Blarney, Co. Cork this Saturday the 2nd July at the Blarney Driving Range. Map below.

View Pumptrack Champs in a larger map

Kick off is at 12 O clock.
€10 entry.

There will be practice and then timed laps. We will also have the BBQ fired up so bring along some food!
Need any info, just ask 🙂

Uplift Weekend in Corrin Woods, Fermoy, 25,26 June

There is an uplift weekend happening in Corrin woods, Fermoy, Co. Cork, this weekend!

This is the first time in 10 years that mountain bikers will be allowed to ride in the old school Downhill race venue.

10.30 – 4.00 each day.

Uplifts provided by Denis Corkery.

€20 each day.

Enjoy!

Through the roots at Fort William with OC Tuning

Check out this great edit from round 2 of the world cup in Fort William filmed by the lads from Through the roots! featuring “meerkat”!

Fort William with OC Tuning

021racing Webisode part 2 from Irish DH NPS in Leap, West Cork.

Film maker Ronan Kavanagh will be following the 021racing team through out the 2011 mountain bike season, here is his latest webisode!

Enjoy.

021 Racing. Webisode 2

Visit Ronan’s website, www.FlexoMedia.ie

8 Podiums for 021racing at Round # 2 of Irish DH NPS!

021racing had a successful weekend down in wet and wild Leap in West Cork, last weekend. No less than 8 021 riders stepped on too the podium!

Luke Cornforth dominated the U14’swith a convincing win, Jack Crowley rode a good race finishing in 4th.

Cam Cornforth set an amazing sub 1.30 time taking the win.

Daire O Connor had a great run to take 3rd spot in the Sports Category, in his first race!

021 new boy Barry Langrell won the competitive Senior category by nearly 4 seconds!

Martin Crowley showed plenty of his Moto X style as he finished 4th in the Veterans!

Cahir man John Davies took 5th place in the Junior category, just nudging team mate Stefan Graef into 6th place!

Masters new man Damien Daly just missed out on the podium, finishing in 6th place.

So a great weekends racing for the 021racing team, next up Round # 3 in Cullohill, Co. Laois!

See you there!

2011 Irish NPS Round 2 – Leap, Co. Cork.

The Venue in leap is a new venue, on private land so before we start can I say that this is a RACE ONLY venue so no pre riding! The track was built by Richard Thornhill and the West Cork lads and is best described as a Jekyll and & Hyde track with a steep rooty forest into a fast rough field finishing into the best finish field in the country.

The track starts off in a field with a few fast grassy corners, and into the woods, over a few natural humps and into a great drifty corner out of that into a wall jump into a fast off camber section, hit a bank and into a set of multi line off camber sections bringing you into a tricky natural drop onto berm, out of that and into another few steep rooty corners that pop you into the road crossing.

Off the drop off the road and your into the field section which is just plain fast and rough with a fast traverse into a natural crest which brings you into some steep, off camber grassy corners that spit you into a ski jump before sprinting to the finish area which will have catering as well as mechanical backup from OC tuning and MBW as well as Southern Extreme with great deals on gear and tires.

Another bonus is as the finish field is next to Kilmacabea GAA club, we will have the use of the Clubhouse showers for Saturday and Sunday. This should be a major bonus for everyone that will be camping out and for those that have long drives ahead of them.

ACCOMMODATION

The Leap Inn is only 500m from the finish field and does good food as well so will be the hub for the weekend. We are laying on a band for Saturday night as well as showing a few bike movies at the same time. The phone number is 353 (0)28 33668 and places are short so get in quick.

If you miss out there Skibbereen is only 7miles west with plenty guest houses, bar hotels and plenty good food to boot.

Places worth staying there are

Sunnsyide B&B – Tel: 353 (0)28 21365

Ilenroy House – Tel: 335 (0)28 22751

Bridge House (strangest B&B in Ireland!) – Tel: 353 (0)28 21273

DIRECTIONS

Follow the N71 from Cork towards Skibbereen via Clonakilty, once you get to Leap village and the Leap inn on the left, Follow the signs for Kilmacabea GAA and turn right, take the first left from there and you should be there.

Here is a Google Maps link to the finish area.

Please NOTE there is a championship football match on in the GAA grounds on the Friday evening so there is no access to the track and pits from 6pm until 9pm Friday night. After that see ye there and we have the sun booked as well.

REGISTRATION

Riders will be able to register for the event using the Off Road Commission Registration system up until 9pm on Wednesday the 4^th of May. Following this, for riders entering the event on the day a late payment charge will be applied.

Please use the link below to register for the event.

http://fs17.formsite.com/offroadeventsreg/DHevent/index.html

We would ask you to please not register unless you are going to pay (through paypal) immediately. It will not be possible to pre register and pay on the day at the reduced fee.

Online On the day

Seniors €50 €60

Underage (including juniors) €30 €40

Riders who have entered but wish to cancel their entry can claim a refund up to 9pm Wednesday the 4^th of May by contacting register@021racing.com

ENTRANTS CAN BE FOUND HERE

Anyone wishing to enter please ensure you have your paypal details as these entries will not be accepted unless payment is received in full. Entering without paying is just creating additional work for the organisers and off road commission who administer the online entry.

ONE DAY LICENCES

If you require a one day you will be able to purchase this online while registering.

Seniors €20

Junior €10

Youth €5