Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill – Aston Hill Bike Park – Sunday 10th June 2018

Promoted by Firecrest Mountain Biking
Race Report – Ian Warby – Firecrest Mountain Biking
Photo’s – Carl Barker and Charlotte Bull Photography.

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race was originally planned for the 18th March but when the weather intervened and the ‘Beast from the East’  brought snow to the UK it meant that the race had to be cancelled. So all eyes were on the weather into the weekend of the 9th and 10th June. With the forecasters unsure of which way the weather was going to go everyone waited with baited breath and fingers crossed that it was going to be a good one for racing.

With Ricochet prepped to an inch of it’s life in the run up to the Race the track was running fast as the racers smiles were wide. Ricochet is one of the fastest tracks in Aston Hill Bike Park. It starts with a pedal fest over some big tables with laying down the power a key to a good start as is keeping it low over the jumps! The track then dives into the first of the gravity fed sections a big bombshole which fires riders into a fast straight. The the speed goes up again as riders dive down across the first forest road and then it’s on the brakes as a fast left hander approaches. Holding your nerve and carrying your speed here is key. Then the track opens up with a range of line options as it swings right and into the fast shoot before another fast left hander.

The track then traces the contour of the Hill as the speed picks up and riders are fired through the trees into yet another fast left hander. Here the track opens up yet again though a section known as ‘Roof Roots’ as the camber resembles a pitched roof. High, middle and low lines shoot riders down into a big compression (clocking 3.9G on the Shredmate) then it’s back on the pedals before hitting the roots. Carrying your speed through the root garden and through the trees at the end of it is the key to a good run. Staying off the brakes here takes confidence and focus. The riders then fly into a new berm section before being fired out of the final corner with a drop to the left and the inside line to the right.

Another fast left hander, off a drop and then Ricochet lives up to it’s name as the riders carry their speed through the trees and are fired out into the finish, breathless but buzzing with adrenaline.


Hardtail – Sponsored By DMR Bikes, Mudhugger and Out Skill the Risk

Finn Chapman put together a stunning second run to stop the clock on 1:22:22 and take home the DMR Trailstar Frame. James Eldridge entered his first Downhill Race with no idea how it would go. Showing his hand the week before on the Adult DeVo Ricochet Race MTB Skills Course it came as now surprise to see him on the box, with an arm full of DMR and Mudhugger prizes clocking a time of 1:25:65. Jake Scott (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top three stopping the clock on 1:30:30.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Finn Chapman 1:27:17 1:22:22 1:22:22
2 James Edridge 1:27:04 1:25:65 1:25:65 3.43s
3 Jacob Scott Firecrest MTB 1:31:84 1:30:30 1:30:30 8.08s


10-12 Ripper Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

George Madley (Regent Projects) put in a great second run to clock a time of 1.27.60 to take the win. Nathan Dwell-Wilson (DC Cycles) also went fast on his second run stopping the clock on 1:33:75 with Aiden Swaby taking third place with a time of 1:43:13. Oliver Sinden (Firecrest MTB) came home in 4th place despite a spill on second run that will see him sidelined for a few weeks with a fractured wrist. Oliver Laurie (Firecrest MTB/Summit) made his racing debut coming down in a time of 1:57:82 as the youngest competitor on the day showing that he’s a rider to watch for the future!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 George Madley Regent Projects 1:30:27 1:27:60 1:27:60
2 Nathan Diwell-Wilson DC Cycles 1:35:30 1:33:75 1:33:75 6.15s
3 Aiden Swaby 1:44;28 1:43:13 1:43:13 15.53s


13-14 Juvenile Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skills the Risk and Visor Leaf

Kenzie Nevard (Calibre Bikes/Kore/Fasthouse/Firecrest MTB) has his work cut out on his second run after catching two riders on his first. He didn’t waste any time in getting to the bottom of the hill the second time though. Clocking a time of 1:25:94 to take to the top step. Chill Sweeney had been looking quick throughout practice and he came home in second with a time of 1:26:67. Alonso Barbour (Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop) rounded out the top three with a time of 1:27:31.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Kenzie Nevard Calibre Bikes 1::40:12 1:25:94 1:25:94
2 Achill Sweeney 1:26:67 1:27:21 1:26:67 0.73s
3 Alonso Barbour Firecrest MTB/Wheelie Bike Shop 1:28:85 1:27:31 1:27:31 1.37s

15-16 Youth Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Youth category is brimming with talent right now and it was a three way battle for the top of the podium. Jeremy Coe (Team Aston Hill/Lovelo MTB Team) just came out on top clocking a time of 1:20:81 on his first run and edging Tom Shakespear (Firecrest MTB) into second place by just 0.18 or a second! Luke Ward (Firecrest MTB) clocked a time of 1:22:13 to take 3rd and underline his status as a rider to watch having been racing for just 18 months!

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Jeremy Coe astonhill.com/Lovelo MTB Team 1:20:81 1:20:85 1:20:81
2 Tom Shakespeare Firecrest MTB 1:20:99 1:22:15 1:20:99 0.18s
3 Luke Ward Firecrest MTB 1:22:13 1:22:31 1:22:13 1.32s


17-18 Junior Boys – Sponsored by DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

With Aston Hill – Lovelo Race Team rider Josh Mead away in Leogang on World Cup duty the result was wide open. Dec Willicombe (Kustom Bikes) set the pace on his first run clocking a time of 1:19:51 going on to better that with a time of 1:17:76 on his second to take the win from James Perry (Firecrest MTB) with a time of 1:22:25 and Edward Cook (Giant Newport Pagnell) Rounded out the top three with a time of 1:22:28 just 0.03s behind James.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Dec Willicombe Kustom Bikes 1:19:51 1:17:76 1:17:76
2 James Perry Firecrest MTB 1:24:11 1:22:25 1:22:25 4.49s
3 Edward Cook Giant Newport Pagnall 1:22:28 1:22:77 1:22:28 4.52s

19-29 Senior Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Senior Men’s category is always hotly contested and with the top 5 separated by less than 3 seconds it was the smallest of mistakes that were going to cost riders dearly. Chris Cockrill (Firecrest MTB) set the pace on the first run clocking a time of 1:17.71 to underline how fast the track was running. Conor Buxton found the all important 0.57s of a second on his second run to steel the win from Chris. Tom Seabrook also went faster on his second run to secure 3rd place with a time of 1:18:46 just a 1.32s of the win.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Conor Buxton 1:18:55 1:17:14 1:17:14
2 Chris Cockrill Firecrest MTB 1:17:71 1:17:73 1:17:71 0.57s
3 Tom Seabrook 1:19:79 1:18:46 1:18:46 1.32s

30-39 Master Men – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Vee Tire, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

The Masters Category was one of the biggest on the day with 57 riders lining up. Stacked with talent Paul Hank’s time of 1:16:74 was enough to just edge Ben Deakin (DMR Mucoff) by 0.35s with Ben clocking a time of 1:17:09 with Danny Harper (Giant Leamington Spa) clocking a time of 1:18:28 to just edge Andy Weames (Mountain Mania) off the podium by 0.01s with the top 10 riders all within 5 seconds of the winner.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Paul Hanks 1:17:94 1:16:74 1:16:74
2 Ben Deakin DMR/Mucoff 1:18:63 1:17:09 1:17:09 0.35s
3 Dan Harper Giant Leamington Spa 1:21:16 1:18:28 1:18:28 1.54s


40+ Veteran Men – Sponsored by OTEC Bikes, Stans No Tubes, Vee Tire, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk and Visor Leaf

It was Lee vs Lee for the top step of the podium with Handley (Moir Racing) just edging out Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) clocking 1:22:56 and 1:23:56 respectively and just 0.67s between them. Dan Kelly went a fraction faster on his second run to secure 3rd with a time of 1:26:18.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Lee Handley Moir Racing 1:24:11 1:22:56 1:22:56
2 Lee Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:25:13 1:23:23 1:23:23 0.67s
3 Dan Kelley 1:26:32 1:26:18 1:26:18 3.62s

U18 Girls – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Megan Nevard (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) set the time to beat on her second run clocking 1:42:25 and the fastest women’s time of the day. Keeping the sibling rivalry alive for another week it was Meg’s sister Taylor (Calibre Bikes Fasthouse Firecrest MTB) in second place with a time of 1:54:15. Making it four podiums from the four Nevard family members racing which has to be some kind of record? Page Laurie (Firecrest MTB) rounded out the top 3 places with a time of 2:00:53.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Megan Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:46:28 1:42:25 1:42:25
2 Tayla Nevard Calibre Bikes 1:50:91 1:47:47 1:47:47 5.22s
3 Paige Laurie Firecrest MTB 2:05:60 2:00:53 2:00:53 18.28s


18+ Women – Sponsored by Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, DMR Bikes, and Visor Leaf

Renée Diwell (DC Cycles) set the time to beat stopping the clock on 1:44:68 on her first run. As last rider down the win was her’s for the taking and with a time of 1:41:96 she sealed the win. Sue Faraone clocked a time of 1:54:15 for second and Joanna Tucker rounded out the podium just a 10th shy of Sue time with a time of 1:54:25 in third place.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Renée Diwell DC Cycles 1:44:68 1:41:96 1:41:96
2 Sue Faraone 1:54:47 1:54:15 1:54:15 12.19s
3 Joanna Tucker 1:54:25 1:56:32 1:54:25 12.29s


Expert/Elite Men – Sponsored by Out Skill the Risk, Mudhugger, Vee Tire, and Visor Leaf

The three riders lining up in the Expert/Elite Category knew that every second would count an that the win could be decided by a matter of tenths. In the end Glenroy Martin (Grips Bikes) laid down a time that had riders scratching their head as to how it was possible clocking a 1:16:00 on his first run. There was much between John Holbrook (Firecrest MTB) and Thomas Davies with Thomas just two tenths clear in second place. The big question was could Glenroy go faster?

Stopping the clock on 1:15:03 Glenroy nearly knocked a second off his time to secure the win. John and Tom both improved their time but only enough for John to leapfrog Tom into second with a 1:16:54 and Tom to round out the top 3 with a time of 1:17:28.

Rank Name Sponsor Run 1 Run 2 Best Dif
1 Glenroy Martin Grips Bikes 1:16:00 1:15:03 1:15:03
2 John Holbrook Firerest MTB 1:18:45 1:16:54 1:16:54 1.51s
3 Thomas Davies 1:18:24 1:17:28 1:17:28 2.25s

I’d like to thank my Family, friends, Aston Hill Bike Park, Forestry Commission and the Organising Team that work so hard with me make the events on Aston Hill possible- all of our sponsors and partners – Mountain Mania Cycles, DMR Bikes, Mudhugger, Out Skill the Risk, Vee Tire, Visor Leaf, and Saracen Bikes – the Marshal’s, Medics, Dean and the guys that keep the car park running smoothly throughout the day – Action Sports Timing for keeping time and our caterers for keeping everyone fed and fuelled. Thanks as always to a list too long to put here – you know who you are and without your help and support we couldn’t bring these Races to life. Last, but not least, to everyone that supported the Race and understood the challenges we faced due to the weather and back in March and those that entered the June Race.

There will be more Downhill Races on Aston Hill in 2019. We’ll be back racing on Aston Hill on Sunday 2nd September with the Pedalhounds Enduro. Keep an eye on the Firecrest MTB Website for dates and details as we get them.

Mountain Mania Cycles – Aston Hill Downhill – Sunday 10th June 2018

Aston Hill Bike Park
Sunday 10th June 2018

The Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race has been resided for Sunday 10th June 2018 and here’s the info on our race partners and sponsor and all the information you need if you’re coming to watch!

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Sponsors and Event Partners

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Car Parking

See you on Sunday 10th June!

Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm – Race Postponed to 10.06.18

Weather Update – 17.03.18 – 12.30pm

Having monitored the weather, the trail conditions and the forecast throughout the morning we have made the difficult decision to postpone tomorrows race.

All racers will have their entries transferred to the 10th June when the postponed race will be held on Ricochet.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly and we have everyone’s safety in mind.

Thank you for understanding.

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018

Aston Hill Bike Park
Sunday 18th March 2018

The first race of the season is fast approaching and here’s the info on our race partners and sponsor and all the information you need if you’re coming to watch this weekend!

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Sponsors and Event Partners

Start List for Run 1 and Category Start Times

Mountain Mania Cycles – Ricochet Downhill Race 2018 – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Spectator Information

Ensuring a Safe Event – Car Parking

See you on the 18th!

Aston Hill – Mountain Bike Races 2018

Firecrest MTB announce the Aston Hill Mountain Bike Races Downhill and Enduro Race Dates and Tracks for 2018!

Sunday 18th March 2018 – Ricochet Downhill

We’ve moved the race date back a few weeks in the hope of getting some better weather. We’ve also brought onboard Action Sports Timing who bring a wealth of event timing experience (official timing company for the Natioanl Downhill Series).

Ricochet a great way to open the season for experienced racers and those new to downhill racing and we can wait to get racing in 2018!

Entries will be going live on Wednesday 20th December!

Sunday 10th June – Mash-Up Downhill
Surface to Air – Root Canal – Ricochet

We’re going for a mid summer Mash Up! Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and with the Surface, Root, Ricochet one of the top choices from our DH Race Survey the stage is set for a great days Downhill Racing. AST will be with us again on timing duties and we’ll be pulling out all the stops to put an awesome Mash Up track together for this race.

Sunday 2nd September – Pedalhounds Multi Stage Enduro – Aston Hill

The Pedalhounds Enduro moves to an early Autumn slot. We’ve designed some new stages for 2017 along with the classics from this year. The Pedalhounds Races start in March and calls in on Aston Hill in September for the penultimate race!

Keep an eye on the website as we have some other events for 2018 in the pipeline and you’ll find out what we have planned and when it will be on the website and through our Social Media Channels.

Looking to plan your season. Download a full season calendar for Downhill, Enduro and Cross Country here>>>

 There’s still time to shape the Downhill Races in 2018. Please take five and complete our survey if you raced on Aston Hill in 2017.

 

Aston Hill Downhills – Ricochet – Race Report – 12.03.17

Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhill – Ricochet – Sunday 12th March
Race Report by: Ian Warby
Photo’s: BigMacPhotography 

See the full results over on Roots and Rain here>>>

Sunday’s Downhill Race on Aston Hill’s Ricochet will go down as one of the muddiest but most enjoyable Downhill Races on Aston Hill in years. Despite the rain doing it’s best to dampen spirits it was an enjoyable days downhill racing and one that I’m sure will be remembered for years to come. As the cliche goes the track conditions were the same for everyone and Ricochet is a tough old track that can stand up to even the worst the weather can throw at it. With three dry days into the weekend it looked like it was going to be a dry race and those practicing on Saturday were experiencing Ricochet at it’s best. With rain forecast everyone was thinking positively but what would the weather bring for those racing on Sunday?

Ricochet is a fast and flowing roller coaster ride from top to bottom. Out of the start gate it’s hard on the pedals for the first section of track. The new surface held up well and enabled riders to launch off the line and fly through the remodelled table tops to carry as much speed as they could into the next section of the track. Diving down over the forest road it’s hard on the brakes as the track swings left and then right again across the second forest road. Diving down into another fast left hander, riders then have a choice of lines before heading into the contoured section. Hugging the edge of the steep Chilterns escarpment riders are doing their best to hold their nerve and speed through this section.

Sweeping left it’s into the section known a ‘Roof Roots’ where there are a number of lines to choose from with only the bravest going for the high line in the wet conditions. From here riders are shot out into another fast section before hitting the longest cambered, rooty section on Aston Hill. Commitment is key through this section and speed is your friend as it carries you across the roots and into the newest section of the track. Switching between the trees before diving into a combination of left and right turns that got tougher to ride as the day went on and the riders dragged the mud down the track. Those that carried their speed then hit the drop or took the inside line before sweeping through a left hander into two more drops and then carry the speed down into the finish.  The fun hadn’t stopped though as the finish shoot was one of the toughest sections and riders reached the bottom relived to have put in a clean run or rueing the mistakes they had made up on track.

Hardtail Men – Sponsored by Stanton Bikes

The Hardtails opened proceedings with Ben Holcomb putting down a time of 1:39:139 on his first run to go 2 seconds clear of Daniel Bevan on a 1:43:847 who just snuck in ahead of Matt Collins (Team Pedal Addiction) in 3rd on 1:44:613

1 Ben Halcomb – 1:39.139
2 Daniel Beaven – 1:43.847 – 4.708s
3 Matt Collins – Team Pedal Addiction – 1:44.613 – 5.474s

Ripper Boys – Sponsored by Kali Protectives

The Ripper Boys weren’t hanging around on track. William Tyrrell (Pedal and Spoke/Surrey Hills Suspension) put his winter training on the Firecrest MTB DeVo Programme to good use to stop the clock on 1:52:058. Nearly 4 seconds clear of Domonic Platt in second on 1:56:035 and Achill Sweeney (Firecrest MTB DeVo) in 3rd with a time of 2:02:818.

1 William Tyrrell – Pedal & Spoke / Surreyhills Suspension – 1:52.058
2 Dominic Platt – 1:56.035 – 3.977s
3 Achill Sweeney – Firecrest MTB – DeVo – 2:02.818 – 10.760s

Juvenile Boys – Sponsored by Lovelo Cycles – Berkhamsted 

Tom Shakespeare (Firecrest MTB DeVo) came into this race determined to lay down a great time. Having been sidelined with injury at last years Black Run Race he wasn’t in the mood to make any mistakes this time. Stopping the clock on 1:42:530 on his first run he went on to shave of a few hundredths of a second on his second run to record a time of 1:41:327 and take the win. Travis Diwell-Wilson took nearly 5 seconds off his first run time second time down to record a 1:45:434 and place second. Rich Porter went nearly 12 seconds quicker on his second run to finish in 3rd place with a time of 1:51:668.

1 Tom Shakespeare – Firecrest MTB – DeVo – 1:41.327
2 Travis Diwell-Wilson – 1:45.434 – 4.107s
3 Rich Porter – 1:51.668 – 10.341s

Youth Boys – Sponsored by OTEC Bikes – Halton

After the first runs it was Firecrest MTB – DeVo rider James Perry sitting in first with a time of 1:38:801 ahead of Sion Margrave (Moore Large/O’Neal Race Team), with all to play for going into the second runs. Sion put together a near perfect run to stop the clock on 1:37:122 and take the win from James by just 1.679s. Jeremy Coe (Bikesdirect UK / SDR / Southcoast Suspension) rounded out the top 3 with a time of 1:40:326 on his first run.

1 Sion Margrave – Moore Large / ONeal Race Team – 1:37.122 (1)
2 James Perry – Firecrest MTB – DeVo – 1:38.801 – 1.679s
3 Jeremy Coe – Bikesdirect UK / SDR / Southcoast Suspension – 1:40.326 – 3.204s

Junior Men – Sponsored by Chiltern Bike Barn – Chalfont St Peter

The first race of the season for the Junior Men is always interesting. It’s a chance to see who’s moved up to the category and picked up the pace and if the second year Junior’s have what it takes to stay on top of the time sheets. Jordan Beighton (Kreek Racing Team) was certainly consistent with his runs, with a first run time of 1:32:442 setting the pace for the other’s to match. Owen Martin (Grips DH Race Team) was the closest after the first runs with a time of 1:34:416 with Team Aston Hill’s Josh Mead in 3rd after the first runs with a time of 1:35:416. Josh went on to set a faster time of 1:33:833 on his second run and sneak ahead of Owen to steel second place with less than a second between them and less that 2 seconds covering the top three underlining just how close the competition was at the top of the time sheets in the Junior Category. Watch out for these guys at the races this season.

1 Jordan Beighton – Kreek Racing Team – 1:32.442
2 Josh Mead – Team Aston Hill – 1:33.833 – 1.391s
3 Owen Martin – Grips DH Race Team -1:34.257 – 1.815s

Under 18 Women – Sponsored by Brake Shield

It was great to see so many Women lining up to race on Ricochet with many racing for the first time. In the Under 18 Women’s category it was no surprise to see the Team Aston Hill paring of Meghan Harris and Ellen Flewitt leading the way. Meg’s consistency saw her set her fastest time and the fastest Women’s Categories time of the day on her second run stopping the clock on 1:52:959. Ellen went 2 seconds faster on her second run with a 1:54:758 keeping Meg on her toes and just 1:799s behind. Tayla Nevard (Firecrest MTB/Nevard Racing) came home in 3rd place with a time of 2:22:103 and Paige Laurie (Summit MTB) finished her first race with a time of 2:35:456 which would have been fast enough for 6th place in the over 18 Women category.

Over 18 Women – Sponsored by Flare Clothing

Marcia Ellis set the pace in the Over 18 Women category on her second run, stopping the clock on 2:07:357 to go nearly 5 seconds clear of Renèe Diwell in second on a 2:12:156 and Emma Bamfield in third with a time of 2:16:896.

1 Marcia Ellis – 2:07.357
2 Renée Diwell – 2:12.156 – 4.799s
3 Emma Bamfield – 2:16.896 – 9.539s

Senior Men – Sponsored by Mountain Mania – Tring

The pressure was on the Firecrest MTB Team pairing of Chris Cockrill and Pete Robinson as the first race for the FMTB Team of the season was on home turf. Both Chris and Pete have been putting in the hours in the off season to come into the 2017 race season on form with the target of winning their home race. Times couldn’t have been closer with Chris just edging Pete out by 0.656 of a second to take the win. Chris stopped the clock on 1:33:824 on his first run with Pete on a 1:34:460 and the 1-2 dream start to the season for the Team was in the bag, along with Chris’s first trip to the top step of the podium! Ben Taylor just piped Ben Joyce to 3rd place on the day with less than 5 seconds covering the top 5 riders underlining how close the competition was.

1 Chris Cockrill – Firecrest MTB Team – 1:33.824
2 Pete Robinson – Firecrest MTB Team – 1:34.460 – 0.636s
3 Ben Taylor – Mountain Mania – 1:34.640 – 0.816s

Master Men – Sponsored by ION

The Master’s Category always gets a shuffle at the start of a new season with riders reaching 30 and moving up from the Senior Ranks to Masters looking to make their mark at the top of the time sheets in their new category. Which of course means great racing as the old guard are looking to do their best to maintain their dominance.

Andy and James Weames (Mountain Mania) set the pace with Andy Clocking a time of 1:27:920 on his first run to set the fastest time of the day. James was 2 seconds back with a time of 1:29:996 and Ross Searle (RS Security) slotted into third with a a time of 1:31:526.

1 Andy Weames – Mountain Mania – 1:27.920
2 James Weames – Mountain Mania – 1:29.996 – 2.076s
3 Ross Searle – RS Security – 1:31.526 – 3.606s

Veteran Men – Sponsored by Loose Riders Southeast

A stacked Veteran’s category meant that the stage was set for a great race. Guy Theron (Edd’s Bikes) set the pace on his first run clocking a 1:36:596 2 seconds clear of Lee Handley on a 1:38:863. With Lee Nevard (Firecrest MTB/Nevard Racing) going 2 seconds quicker on his second run to lock down third place with a run time of 1:40:957.

1 Guy Theron – Edds Bikes – 1:36.596
2 Lee Handley – Me – 1:38.863 – 2.267s
3 Lee Nevard – Firecrest MTB/Nevard Racing – 1:40.957 – 4.361s

Expert/Elite Men – Sponsored by Black Run 20 – Sunday 10th September 2017

The Expert/Elite Men’s field was compact but packed to the brim with talent. Four World Cup Racers and the fastest Hardtail Rider in the UK all looking to set the pace and take the win. It was Saracen Bikes Jack Geoghegan who set the pace on the first run with a time of 1:29:140 which he bettered by a few fractions of a second to record a time of 1:28:426 on his second run to take the win from Glenroy Martin (Grips DH Race Team). Glenroy was another rider on a flying second run clocking a 1:30:133, to just edge out first year Expert Thomas Davies (The Riders Guild) on a 1:30:487. Thomas’s time was just quick enough to edge ‘Die Hard’ Darren Evans on his Stanton Bikes Hardtail into 4th on a 1:30:487 putting the top four riders all within 2 and a half seconds of the win and underlining just how important getting things right on the race run is in these conditions.

1 Jack Geoghegan – Saracen Bikes – 1:28.426
2 Glenroy Martin – Grips DH race team – 1:30.133 – 1.707s
3 Tom Davies – The Riders Guild – 1:30.487 – 2.061s


Of course the racing on Aston Hill wouldn’t be possible without the help of all the people that come together to make it happen. It’s a cliche but there are so many people to thank that I just want to say a big thank you to everyone that helped make this event one to remember.

Thanks to all of our Sponsors and Partners for supplying some great prizes and to those supporting the Event. Saracen Bikes for the track tape, Blockhead Energy for the Category Prizes and Sportitrait the new rider illustraion service for the spot prizes. Mudhugger were great providing spot prizes in each of the categories. It’s great to have so much support for grass roots racing in the South of England and these companies have really shown their support so check them out next time you go online.

Thanks to Will and Alex Norgan who stepped in at the 11th hour to provide the timing for me after Mike from Mikrotime was taken into hospital with heart problems. Will and Alex did a fantastic job with so little notice. Don’t forget to check out their events down at Oakford Hill Mountain Bike Park in Dorset. All the best to Mike Gettleson for a speedy recovery. He assures me he’ll be back in September to time the Black Run Race!

My thanks go to the following:- John Holbrook and my dig team for their help in preparing the track and enabling it to stand up to the hammering it took from the riders and weather on the day.

John and the crew that helped me tape out the track on Friday no easy task hanging off the side of Aston Hill taping the track for Ricochet.

The Marshals that had to put up with the weather. I always say that we can’t go racing without them and it’s true. Thanks to them we had a safe and enjoyable day of racing.

The Medical Team from FirstAid Cover Ltd. Tthankfully they weren’t too busy but they did a great job patching up the walking wounded that did go to see them.

Gary and the Aston Hill Bikepark Committee for their support throughout. Jade and Tim from the Forestry Commission for all their help over the weekend.

Sophy and Sam in Registration for their help making sure everyone got the right number and dealing with enquiries throughout the day.

Mike, Dean, Paul and Dave on Car Park duties. A tough day getting everyone into the field and back out again. Thanks to those that helped push and to everyone for their patience.

Paul Hunt from Pedalhounds we will be working together again on the Pedalhounds Enduro on Sunday 25th June on Aston Hill www.pedalhounds.co.uk for more information.

The Racers without you showing up we would not have an Race. This is Mountain Biking by Mountain Bikers for Mountain Bikers and we really appreciate your support for our Events. Thank You so much.

We’ll see you for the next Downhill Race on Aston Hill on Sunday 10th September where we will be celebrating 20 years of racing on the Black Run. It’s going to be a celebration of all things racing and some epic racing on the infamous Black Run. Look out for the build up for the race and some special memories from the riders, sponsors and partners that have supported racing on Aston Hill over the last 20 years on www.firecrestmtb.com

Spectator Information and Times for Sunday 12th March

Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhills – Ricochet – Sunday 12th March 2017

Spectators are more than welcome to come along and watch the downhill racing on Sunday. Here is a quick outline of what to expect, where to watch and the timetable for the day*.

To ensure your safety and that of the racers please ensure you read through our Spectator Safety information here>>>.

What is Downhill Racing?

Firecrest MTB - Team Aston HilllDownhill Racing is an individual time trial against the clock with riders setting a time from the start line at the top of the hill to the finish line at the bottom of the hill. All the racers are put into categories based on sex, age or ability. This ensures that the racing is fair and equal.

The format for the day is straight forward. All the riders have 2 hours to practice in the morning. Each rider will complete their first run, followed by all riders completing their second run with the fastest run time from the two timed runs used to give them their finishing position on the day.

Practice is from 8.30am – 10.30am

Riders will be on track from 8.30am looking to dial in their lines and getting ready to race.

Racing starts at 11am

First Race Runs will start at 11am with category order as follows:-

Hardtail Category (bikes with no rear suspension)
Rippers (under 12’s)
Juveniles (under 14’s)
Youths (aged 14 – 16)
Juniors (aged 16-18)
Women over 18,
Women under 18
Senior Category (aged 19 – 29)
Masters (aged 30 – 39)
Veterans (aged 40+)
Expert and Elite

The first runs should conclude around 1.30pm

There will either be a short break between runs or the 2nd runs will start straight away. This depends on how close to the timetable the Event is running. The second runs should start at approx 2pm with riders seeded from slowest to fastest in their categories for their second runs. This should see the last of the riders take to the track at approx 4.30pm

Prize Presentation

The Prize Presentation will follow the racing at approx. 4.45pm.

Recommended Spectator Viewing

To ensure your safety and that of the racers please ensure you read through our Spectator Safety information here>>>.

The best spectator areas are just down from the start where the racers drop into one of the fastest sections of the track. Then it’s brakes on as they negotiation the second fire road crossing into the second half of the track. The middle section isn’t ideal for spectating but as you near the bottom of the track there’s the camber and the roots for racers to contend with. It’s a great spectator point as here the fastest riders will make traversing this section look easy whilst those without the technique and the right line will be working hard to carry their speed through this section. From here the racers come into the last sector of the track. This one is action packed, punctuated by it’s tight and twisty corners and 3 small drop offs where the riders will be looking to carry speed down to the finish and stop the clock on a good time.

*All times are subject to change. Please see times posted at Race Registration for updates on the day.

To ensure your safety and that of the racers please ensure you read through our Spectator Safety information here>>>.

Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhill – Ricochet – Entry Update

With just 5 days to go to the first of the Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhills of the year on Aston Hill’s Ricochet Downhill on Sunday 12th March places are selling out fast.

With online entries closing at midnight on Wednesday 8th March it looks like the race will be a sell out! As we near 90% capacity category places are going fast and it looks like we won’t have any entries left on the day!

Here’s the latest on the race categories and their availability:-

Ladies Under 18 – 7
Ladies Over 18 – 4
Hardtail –
Ripper – 4
Juvenile – 5
Youth – 2
Junior – 1
Senior – 6
Master – 6
Vets – 5
Expert and Elite – 5

Whilst we will be able to move the remaining entries around to suit this gives you an idea of the number of spaces we have left with the entry deadline approaching.

 

 

Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhill – Ricochet – Entry Update

With just 10 days to go to the first of the Firecrest MTB – Aston Hill Downhills of the year on Aston Hill’s Ricochet Downhill on Sunday 12th March places are selling out fast.

With online entries closing at midnight on Wednesday 8th March it looks like the race will be a sell out! As we near 70% capacity category places are going fast and it looks like we won’t have any entries left on the day!

Here’s the latest on the race categories and their availability:-

Ladies Under 18 – 7
Ladies Over 18 – 12
Hardtail – 11 
Ripper – 4
Juvenile – 7
Youth – 9
Junior – 4
Senior – 17
Master – 8
Vets – 6
Expert and Elite – 6

Whilst we will be able to move the remaining entries around to suit this gives you an idea of the number of spaces we have left with the weekend approaching.